“Pay” Feature Extension
Samsung Electronics is planning to apply the Samsung Pay feature, which is available only in premium smartphones, to mid-range smart phones such as the Galaxy A series from next year, waging a full-scale offensive for Samsung Pay.
The company announced on Dec. 3 that the feature will be applied to the 2016 versions of the Galaxy A5 and the Galaxy A7. Until now, the mobile payment service was available only on premium models – Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note.
Despite its sensational popularity, Samsung Pay’s greatest shortcoming is that it is only available on a few, limited phone models. Starting with the Galaxy A series, however, the service will expand into other budget phones in the future, widening the user base of Samsung Pay further.
As the mid-range smartphone market today is rapidly growing around the globe, all eyes are on whether the Galaxy A models featuring Samsung Pay can become a new sensation in the budget phone market.
Also, Samsung Pay is to be made available in China, Singapore, Spain, and the U.K. from next year, increasing the number of countries using the service.
With Samsung Electronics’ innovative design and the latest technology, the company has launched 2016 upgrades to the entire Galaxy A line, which was first crated to target the Chinese market and budget phone market at the end of last year. The Galaxy A series consist of three models according to the size of the screen display – the 5.5-inch (13.97cm) Galaxy A7, 5.2-inch (13.2cm) Galaxy A5 and 4.7-inch (11.93cm) Galaxy A3. Both the Galaxy A7 and A5 are the models to support Samsung Pay.
Bringing glass and metal into harmonious touch, the entire Galaxy A line has inherited the latest Galaxy smartphone design concept. Also, the models have narrower bezels than their predecessors, providing richer visual experiences to users. All three models include Samsung's enhanced camera system. The system includes the 13-megapixel rear cameras and the 5-megapixel front shooters as well as a front and rear F1.9 lens. In addition, the Galaxy A5 and A7 feature the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the rear cameras to prevent image blurring.