Home [update] Samsung Pay arrives on the UK Gear S3 and Gear S2 wearables

[update] Samsung Pay arrives on the UK Gear S3 and Gear S2 wearables

Earlier this month, Samsung launched its mobile payments system, Samsung Pay, on the Gear S3 in the Korean giant’s home country, but other places worldwide such as the UK have been left in the dark. A few screenshots confirmed May 16th as the Samsung Pay rollout date for UK users on both the Gear S3 and Gear S2, and the rumored date was spot-on as the Samsung Pay app is now available for download at the Google Play Store and Galaxy Apps Store (Samsung).
We’ve been able to download Samsung Pay onto the UK Gear S3, and, in a few screenshots below, can confirm that the mobile payments system has now touched down in the United Kingdom.
Samsung Pay will arrive on the Gear S2, but there’s one caveat: whereas the Gear S3 utilizes MST (magnetic secure transmission), the technology that helps the Gear smartwatches pay at traditional credit card readers, the Gear S2 Sport and Classic lack MST and only have NFC (Near Field Communication) – meaning that you’ll have to pay on the Gear S2 at NFC terminals only (no traditional credit card reader access). Samsung Pay is only supported by 4 banks in the UK: HSBC, Nationwide, Amex, and Santander.
For now, at least, the update seems to be rolling out slowly to UK Gear S3 and Gear S2 users, so don’t be alarmed if you haven’t received it yet. It may take a few days before it arrives on your watch.
 
UK Gear S3 and Gear S2 users, have you downloaded Samsung Pay yet? Made your first purchase yet? What do you think of wrist payments? Plan to use Samsung Pay long-term? Let us know in the comments.
Thanks for the Information Triq Tores and Ross Frewen 😉
UPDATE: It seems that the service has not yet been fully released in the UK. some watches are showing the service but it seems these are devices that have been imported into the UK.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.