Home Screen

The Chinese edition of the Galaxy S8 lets users check the weather at a glance, quickly access five default apps and conveniently browse their other apps, right from the Home screen. They also have the option to use the standard Galaxy S8 Home screen arrangement, which features a vertical swiping interface to navigate between the Home and Apps screens.

Home screen (two on the left), Vertical Swiping Interface (two on the right)

Interactive Services

Chinese consumers frequently use their mobile devices to do tasks that have traditionally been done offline, like purchasing movie tickets, making a doctor’s appointment and booking train tickets. The Chinese-exclusive Samsung Assistant app and Yellow Page, a service accessible via a tab in the Phone app, along with the Messages app together help to facilitate transactions such as these.

Through Samsung Assistant and Yellow Page, users can browse for companies or services. After making a purchase or request, such as booking a train ticket, Samsung Assistant provides related information like traffic delays and reminders such as imminent departure times.

The Messages app, meanwhile, extracts and displays these notifications separately, and categorizes them for easier navigation.

Samsung Assistant (left: landing page, center: ticket purchasing page, right: reminder card)

Yellow Page (left), Messages (center and right)

Calendar

Users can simultaneously view both solar and lunar calendars via the Calendar app. The Galaxy S8 also offers a subscribable calendar that gives users the option of being notified about various events going on around them.

Camera

The Camera and Image editor apps are loaded with approximately 40 stamps designed especially for the Chinese market.

Smart Manager

Smart Manager features three additional Chinese-exclusive functions to enhance the mobile experience. Mobile Data lets users automatically purchase additional data; App Management gives users more control over their apps; and Blocked Calls and Messages enables users to block spam calls, including robocalls and telemarketing calls, and messages.

Samsung Health

Samsung Health provides China-specific information such as health-related events, as well as drug and clinic information.

Apps

Samsung collaborated with its Chinese partners to provide the best in entertainment via its Samsung Music and Samsung Video apps. In addition, S Roaming lets users easily and affordably use and manage data roaming services when traveling internationally.

Additional Features

A Chinese-language input tool facilitates seamless Chinese input functionality. Through Samsung’s partnership with Sougou, a leading Chinese search engine, this feature is continuously being improved. The Chinese model of the Galaxy S8 also boasts a screen recorder function.

His true calling, however, lay in the machinery and electronics he had a knack for fixing. He was fascinated by how the intricate systems worked, but despite his skills, he lacked access to the type of formal education that would nurture his natural talent and open doors to a world of new and exciting opportunities.

That all changed when the aspiring engineer found the Samsung Tech Institute and made the 2,000-kilometer journey from his remote village to the Suzhou-based campus.

Today, having excelled at the institute and become a full-fledged engineer, the former shepherd works at a Samsung customer service center in bustling Shanghai, where he spends his days utilizing his diverse skills to help customers stay connected. Follow Chen’s dream from inception to realization in the video below, which serves as more proof that sparks of talent may be found in all places.

The Samsung Tech Institute works with universities and governments to create jobs and nurture young, local talent with the formal training necessary to fill them. Since 2013, the institutes have opened doors for nearly 40,000 students in 32 countries.

Samsung Electronics and China UnionPay (CUP) announced the launch of Samsung Pay in China. A simple, safe and easy-to-use mobile payment service, Samsung Pay works virtually anywhere you can swipe or tap your card in China. Samsung Pay will enable users to safely manage and use their debit and credit cards on eligible Samsung mobile phones with CUP.

“We are pleased to be partnering with CUP to bring Samsung Pay to China,” said Injong Rhee, EVP and Head of R&D, Software and Services of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “The reception of Samsung Pay since its launch has been extremely positive and the service has already seen tremendous success in terms of availability and adoption by consumers. In compliance with national laws and regulations, thanks to cooperating with CUP and many banks, we ultimately want to make Samsung Pay available to as many consumers as possible in china, so that everyone can have the opportunity to enjoy the simplicity, safety and convenience of this mobile payment solution.”

“China UnionPay attaches great importance to the security and innovation of payment. In order to follow the tendency of mobile payment in both China and abroad, CUP cooperates with industry to bring safe and convenient mobile payment experience for millions card holders. With the joint efforts of banks and Samsung, based on the safety testing and certification by relevant national testing agency, CUP QuickPass starting Samsung Pay service will bring users safer and more convenient mobile payment choice.” said Hu Ying, Assistant President of UnionPay.

Samsung Pay is currently available on the Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 in China with the opportunity to support additional mid-range models in the future.*

Samsung Pay currently supports select credit and debit cards from nine banks including China CITIC Bank, China Construction Bank, China Everbright Bank, China Guangfa Bank, China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd, China Merchants Bank, Hua Xia Bank , Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Ping An Bank**

Samsung Pay will eventually include future support for select credit and debit cards from six additional banks including Bank of China, Bank of Beijing, Bank of Communications, China Bohai Bank, Industrial Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. Samsung Pay continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers.

To make a payment with Samsung Pay, consumers simply swipe up from Home bottom whether the phone screen is locked, going black or in home screen, scan their fingerprint and pay, which is quite easy and convenient. In term of safety, Samsung Pay has three layers protection, which are fingerprint authentication, tokenization and KNOX. Because of innovative technology, Samsung Pay can be used on both QuickPass POS terminal with NFC and more POS terminals without NFC technology, which is more accepted than other similar applications with only NFC technology.

*Availability may vary by country and region.

**Visit http://support-cn.samsung.com/samsungpay/#box03 for the list of partners that support Samsung Pay.

Polaris-inspired celestial patterns projected on the walls created a dreamy atmosphere for attendees as they entered the venue.

The event began with a video featuring paparazzi-style shots of the event’s guests, and was followed by the screening of a Samsung television commercial that introduced the latest additions to the company’s Galaxy S line-up.

DJ Koh, President of Samsung Electronics Mobile Communications Business, then took to the stage to introduce the highly anticipated products.

Koh emphasized Samsung’s commitment to “grow together with China” and addressed the importance of the market. He also made mention of the company’s efforts to create features designed specifically for Chinese consumers.

Check out this recap of the event in photos.

A 360-degree round stage and three-sided walls invite attendees to a new time and space.

DJ Koh, President of Samsung Electronics Mobile Communications Business, opens the event with a speech addressing Samsung’s commitment to the Chinese market, as well as the company’s efforts to create specialized features for Chinese consumers.

DJ Koh presents the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, the newest additions to Samsung’s Galaxy S flagship line-up.

Shane Lee, Head of Samsung Design China discusses the streamlined designs and advanced functions of the new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Among the most raved-about enhancements to Samsung’s new devices include advanced cameras, bigger battery capacity and powerful processor.

Samsung begins its global expansion of Samsung Pay in China, starting at the end of March.

Guests get a first look at the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in a product experience zone.

Guests get a first look at the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in a product experience zone.

Guests get a first look at the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in a product experience zone.

Injong Rhee, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics said, “With technological innovation, Samsung Pay expands the usage of mobile payments. It simplifies the procedure for better user experience, and adopts multi-layered protection to ensure security, allowing easier and safer mobile payment experiences. The collaboration with China UnionPay, coupled with the support from major UnionPay partner banks in China, will bring this secure and easy-to-use mobile payment solution to more Samsung mobile users.”

Chai Hongfeng, Executive Vice President of China UnionPay, said: “With the rapid development of the mobile payment industry, China UnionPay is committed to open cooperation with other parties in the industry to provide more secure and more convenient products and services for consumers. This cooperation between China UnionPay and Samsung will combine the strengths of the former in payment and the expertise of the latter in mobile terminals to jointly create brand new mobile payment experience for consumers, and to further expand the user base of UnionPay QuickPass brand. ”

This collaboration between Samsung and China UnionPay will enable UnionPay cardholders to manage and use credit cards and debit cards on the smartphones via Samsung Pay. Key features of Samsung Pay include its simplicity to use, wide coverage, as well as a high-level of security. First, payment can be easily made within just a few seconds with a simple swipe up, scan and pay. Second, Samsung Pay-supported contactless payment can be accepted in most of the POS terminals in China, including QuickPass-enabled NFC POS terminals. Lastly, working with China UnionPay, Samsung Pay ensures secure transaction with a reliable triple-layered protection mechanism including fingerprint identification, tokenization and KNOX.

The products and technologies in Samsung Pay strictly comply with national mobile payment and financial industry standards in China. Samsung Pay will receive relevant tests and certification as required by Chinese regulators before its official rollout to UnionPay cardholders in China as soon as early 2016.

Samsung Electronics, unveiled that Samsung Pay, a secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service that can be used to make purchases nearly everywhere cards are accepted, will launch in Korea on August 20 and in the U.S. on September 28. Samsung plans to roll out the service in the U.K., Spain and China, as well.

Speaking at a Samsung event in New York where it unveiled its newest flagship devices – the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5, JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics said, “With the launches of these exciting new smartphones, we will open a new era of mobile payment. This is Samsung’s brave step forward to enhance our mobile experience. It is easy, safe, and most importantly, available virtually anywhere you can swipe a card, in most cases without new costs for merchants, from day one.”

Samsung Pay will be preloaded on select Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 devices and a free software upgrade will be rolled out beginning mid-August, to enable Samsung Pay on Galaxy S6 and S6 edge devices in the U.S. and Korea. Select U.S. users of Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5 will be able to participate in a beta trial from August 25 ahead of the September 28 launch.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments and reduce the security risks inherent to plastic cards.
• VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE: With Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies, Samsung Pay works with most existing point-of-sale (POS) terminals. That means it’s the only mobile payment service that works virtually anywhere you can swipe your credit card or debit card.

“The future of mobile payments has arrived,” said InJong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics, Global Head of Samsung Pay. “We are partnering with card networks, issuers and acquirers, and Samsung Pay will also be the first to support contactless payment for store-branded credit cards. The list of partners will only grow.”

Extensive Partnership Ecosystem

Samsung Pay continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers. Samsung anticipates working with payment networks such as, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa, major banks including Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank and key financial partners including First Data, Synchrony Financial and TSYS to extend Samsung Pay to the U.S. Samsung anticipates working with all major Korean card companies including Samsung Card, Shinhan Card, KB Kookmin Card, Hyundai Card, Lotte Card, NH Nonghyup Card, BC Card, Hana Card, Woori Card and Citi Card.

“We leverage our unique technology and capabilities to provide our customers with seamless, differentiated experiences, giving them more flexibility and choice for how to pay,” said Tony Prentice, vice president of mobile payments at American Express. “As part of that strategy, we are excited to work with Samsung to offer Card Members a new, innovative way to pay in-store with an American Express Card on their Samsung devices.”

“Emerging technologies are impacting the way our nearly 18 million active mobile customers pay for everyday items, and we’re focused on delivering new solutions to help simplify their financial lives,” said Michelle Moore, head of digital banking at Bank of America. “Samsung Pay is a great example of this commitment, allowing customers to do more with their mobile devices and manage their finances when, where and how they want.”

“Samsung Pay will give our customers another convenient way to pay with their Chase cards,” said Gavin Michael, head of Digital for Chase.

“Discover’s focus on simplicity and versatility aligns with Samsung Pay’s innovative use of technology,” said Diane Offereins, Discover’s president of payment services. “Offering this new payment service continues to enhance the convenience and mobile experience we’re providing to our customers.”

“First Data is proud to collaborate with Samsung on the launch of Samsung Pay and we look forward to working together to bring a powerful solution to the marketplace,” said Barry McCarthy, Executive Vice President, Network and Security Solutions, First Data. “We have a history of driving innovation in payment technology through close collaboration with all parts of the payments ecosystem. Our work with Samsung, as well as our other partners in mobile payments, enables more powerful connections between merchants, issuers and consumers.”

“As consumers increasingly rely on their mobile devices in their everyday lives, MasterCard is pleased to partner with Samsung to bring Samsung Pay to our cardholders around the world. Using advanced tokenization technology from the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service, we’re delivering a digital payment experience that is both simple and secure, and includes all the benefits and guarantees of a MasterCard transaction,” said Cheryl Guerin, Group Executive, MasterCard.

Margaret Keane, president and CEO of Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF), the largest provider of private label credit cards in the U.S.[1], noted, “This is great news for our customers who will enjoy the benefits our cards offer when they choose to make easy and secure mobile payments with Samsung Pay. It is also important for many of our retail partners who can use their existing point of sale devices to deliver secure mobile payments and a seamless customer experience at more than 300,000 locations.” [1] Based on purchase volume and receivables according to issue number 1,062 of “The Nilson Report,” dated April 2015 (based on 2014 data).

“We expect the adoption of mobile payments to change the payments landscape,” said Gaylon Jowers, Jr., senior executive vice president, TSYS. “We are excited to be on the leading edge in collaboration with industry stalwarts like Samsung through technologies like Samsung Pay.”

“Being one of the first to offer our consumer and business customers Samsung Pay is a great example of our focus on Innovation at U.S. Bank and Elavon,” said Dominic Venturo, chief innovation officer at U.S. Bank. “U.S. Bank customers with qualifying credit or debit cards will be able to pay with their Samsung device using Samsung Pay; and our U.S. Bank and Elavon merchant customers will be able to accept the point of sale transactions right away. This is an important step in the continuous evolution of payments and consistent with providing our customers the ability to do business with us how, when and where they want.”

“Instantly on day one, because of MST technology, Samsung Pay will be accepted almost anywhere consumers can pay today,” said Jim McCarthy, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Visa. “We see this as a huge step forward for consumer choice and payment security.”

About Samsung Pay.

Samsung Pay is a simple, safe and available virtually anywhere you can swipe your card mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics.  Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay nearly anywhere you can swipe a card at millions of merchant locations worldwide. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience..

The news article contended that part-timers, acting as “fanboys”of Samsung smartphones, participated in the launching event. However, our findings have indicated that under no circumstances has anyone been hired or given money to attend the event. In fact, the more than 1,100 attendees, including consumers and industry officials, have all been formally invited to the Shanghai Culture Square where the event took place.

In the wake of the investigation, the media outlet that broke the story corroborated our findings and soon retracted the erroneous story. Separately, we are seriously considering whether to request the media outlet to take further action in the matter by issuing a correction. We will also continue our efforts to find out how this story came to be.