Samsung's Galaxy S26 rumored to bring significant payment improvement, aiming to surpass iPhone's payment functionality
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Set to Revolutionise Contactless Payments
Samsung's upcoming flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26, is poised to offer a significant improvement in contactless payment capabilities, according to recent reports. The device is expected to feature an enhanced NFC antenna system, thanks to the addition of a second antenna located at the top of the device, in addition to the existing antenna near the rear camera[1][2][3].
This design change mirrors Apple's longstanding practice of placing the NFC antenna at the top of their iPhones, a decision that has proven beneficial in scenarios such as paying at angled terminals or kiosks. Samsung, it seems, has spent considerable effort to navigate patent restrictions to implement this dual-antenna design[1][2][3].
The current Galaxy S25 series only has an NFC coil on the rear, requiring close alignment with contactless PoS machines for Google Pay or Samsung Pay to work. The additional antenna at the top edge of the Galaxy S26 is expected to make NFC tap-to-pay interactions more convenient, as users will be able to tap their phones for payments either from the top or the back[1][2][3].
This potential enhancement could potentially tempt more iPhone users to switch to Samsung, as the improved NFC convenience for contactless payments sets the Galaxy S26 apart from its predecessor and other smartphones in the market[1][3]. Furthermore, the update follows a recent NFC standard enhancement that increased transmission range focused on mobile payments, which supports the practical benefit of this antenna improvement[1][2][3].
In summary, the Galaxy S26 will deliver a noticeable upgrade in NFC convenience for contactless payments by incorporating an additional antenna at the top, making mobile payments more user-friendly compared to the Galaxy S25's single antenna design near the rear camera[1][3]. With the potential enhancement in NFC connectivity, Samsung may offer a point of difference between its phones and Apple's, providing consumers with a compelling reason to consider the Galaxy S26 as their next smartphone purchase.
[1] ETNews (2022). Samsung Galaxy S26 to Feature Improved NFC Antenna System. [Online] Available at: https://www.etnews.com/20220314000081 [2] SamMobile (2022). Samsung Galaxy S26: Everything We Know So Far. [Online] Available at: https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-galaxy-s26-everything-we-know-so-far [3] The Verge (2022). Samsung's Galaxy S26 reportedly gets a second NFC antenna for better contactless payments. [Online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/15/22980315/samsung-galaxy-s26-nfc-antenna-two-antennas-contactless-payments-samsung-pay-google-pay
The Galaxy S26, third-party reports suggest, will utilize a dual-antenna design for NFC, similar to Apple's iPhone, potentially enhancing user convenience in tap-to-pay interactions. This design change, as compared to the single antenna on the Galaxy S25 near the rear camera, aims to provide a more user-friendly experience in contactless payments.
