Samsung Wallet in Thailand has quietly expanded its features to allow users to store and utilize non-payment Near Field Communication (NFC) cards, enhancing convenience for daily access and identification.
This update, arriving in version 6.2.68 of the application, addresses a long-standing limitation in the country. Local legal restrictions previously hindered the full adoption of payment-related digital wallet functionalities.
Users can now digitize and employ a variety of non-financial NFC cards. These include those for building access, employee identification, and digital door locks. This allows a smartphone to act as a substitute for multiple physical cards.
Despite the significant update, Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding the expanded capability. The change has been primarily noted and shared within the local Samsung user community.
NFC is a short-range wireless technology that enables communication between devices over a distance of approximately four centimeters. It is known for its low power consumption.
The feature specifically supports NFC-enabled cards. This distinguishes them from RFID cards, which operate on a similar principle but use a different underlying technology. RFID cards are not compatible with the new wallet function.
In addition to NFC card support, Samsung Wallet already enables users to consolidate various loyalty and membership cards. Users can display their barcodes for point accumulation. This further centralizes users’ important cards within a single application.
The new functionality is available on a broad range of Samsung Galaxy devices. This includes the Galaxy S20 series and newer, Galaxy Note20, Note10+ and Note10 5G, Note9, Note8, Galaxy S10 series, S9 and S9+, S8 and S8+, and all Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold models. Many Galaxy A series devices, from the A13 5G to the A80, are also compatible.
Users who do not immediately see the update option within the app may find it appears after restarting their device. The introduction of this feature is expected to be well-received by Samsung users seeking to reduce the number of physical cards they carry.