X

You can only do these cool things with Samsung Pay in Korea -- for now (pictures)

Pay for the train, speed up and ATM withdrawal. In Samsung's home town, I saw it mobile payment system in a whole new light.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
bingsu.jpg
1 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

In Seoul, South Korea, I hit the streets with Samsung's team to try out some of the Samsung Pay features you only see here for now. Call it a look at Samsung Pay's future.

samsung-pay-korea-thumb.jpg
2 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

First stop, this shave ice cafe, which I'm pretty much obsessed with. Here, Jenn authorizes her credit card with her fingerprint.

samsung-pay-korea-cashier.jpg
3 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Step 2 in Korea is that the cashier holds it up to his payment console.

samsung-pay-korea-sign.jpg
4 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

And Step 3 is that Jenn, whose personal account this is, has to sign. It isn't as fast as Samsung Pay in the US, but them's the local rules.

samsung-pay-korea-payment-option.jpg
5 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Next, Jenn went through the motions of buying something online, and picking Samsung Pay to fund it -- instead of a Visa or MasterCard, or PayPal, for example. This could save you time by verifying with your fingerprint instead of typing all your credit card credentials into a new site.

samsung-pay-korea-atm-withdrawal.jpg
6 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Here's a neat trick: In Korea, you can start an ATM deposit or withdrawal before you get there.

samsung-pay-korea-atm-withdrawal-part-2.jpg
7 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Select the amount from the app (Korea's local currency is won)...

samsung-pay-korea-atm-kiosk.jpg
8 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

...and then place the phone on the pad at the ATM to finish up and quickly get your cash or make your deposit.

samsung-pay-korea-train-turnstile-phone.jpg
9 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Samsung Pay also holds public transportation credentials, so a quick tap of the phone on the card reader moves Jenn along.

samsung-pay-korea-train-turnstile-watch.jpg
10 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

The same goes for a Samsung smartwatch equipped with Pay, which looked dead easy.

samsung-pay-korea-nfc-pad.jpg
11 of 11 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

One last look at a cashier terminal accepting Samsung Pay and perhaps other NFC payments.

Liked this? Read more stories of my techie travels through Asia.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos