Based on Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy M53
SK Telecom will launch the Galaxy Quantum smartphone, the world's first mobile phone equipped with a quantum random number generation (QRNG) chipset, in April.
The company is expected to unveil the Galaxy Quantum 3, its own 5G smartphone, as early as next month. SK Telecom has developed the new phone together with Samsung Electronics. It is the company's third smartphone based on quantum security technology.
The Galaxy Quantum is based on Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy M53, a budget model. The Galaxy M series is one of Samsung's three entry-level smartphone lineups. The Galaxy M53 is a mid- to low-priced model of the Galaxy M series. Until now, the Galaxy M series has been released mainly in emerging markets such as India.
SK Telecom's two previous Galaxy Quantum phones were based on Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A Quantum (649,000 won) released in 2020 was based on the Galaxy A70, while the Galaxy Quantum 2 (699,000 won) was based on the Galaxy A82.
The Galaxy M53 is loaded with a 6.7-inch display, a large-capacity (5,000 mAh) battery, and the Dimensity 900 processor from MediaTek of Taiwan. In addition, it is expected to feature premium functions, including a 108-megapixel main camera and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its factory price is reportedly set at around 500,000 won. Samsung plans to launch the phone in the global market in the first half of 2022. SK Telecom's Quantum 3 will be available only in Korea.
A big advantage of the Galaxy Quantum series is its strong security. The world’s smallest QRNG chip (2.5mm wide x 2.5mm long) was loaded in the model. Unlike existing one-time passwords (OTPs) that have a certain pattern and can be traced, quantum random number generation has no specific pattern.
The QRNG chip used in the Galaxy Quantum series generates such unpredictable random OTP numbers. It helps customers use services that require security, such as authentication, finance, and messengers, more safely. The Galaxy Quantum 2 supported quantum security in various services such as T Membership, Nate On, One Store, Samsung Card, Shinhan SOL, and 11th Street. QRNG chips are being developed by SK Telecom and IDQ, an SK Telecom subsidiary specializing in quantum cryptography communications.