Samsung plans to take on Apple Card and Wallet in the USA: what to expect

Samsung Plan: A new wave is forming in mobile payments. Multiple industry reports indicate that Samsung plans to take on Apple Card and Wallet in the USA with a Samsung-branded credit card that plugs directly into Samsung Wallet. The goal is simple: make paying, getting rewards, and moving money feel native on Galaxy devices—just as Apple did on the iPhone.

A credible push into U.S. consumer finance

Samsung is laying the groundwork for a full-scale payments play in the United States. According to reporting summarized by SamMobile, the company is in advanced discussions to launch a Samsung-branded credit card that would slot neatly into Samsung Wallet and directly challenge Apple’s tightly integrated Apple Card + Apple Wallet model. The prospective product is said to be issued with Barclays, ride on the Visa network, and funnel cashback into a user’s Samsung account for easy redemption on Samsung and partner purchases.

What the Samsung card might offer

Early details suggest a familiar but compelling recipe: a widely accepted network, tight wallet integration, and rewards that cycle back into the Samsung ecosystem.

Deep Wallet integration

Expect instant digital issuance on Galaxy phones, card controls at the device level, spending insights, and friction-free tokenization for tap-to-pay. That lowers setup effort to nearly zero and makes the card feel like a built-in feature rather than another piece of plastic.

Rewards that reinforce the ecosystem

The reported approach routes cashback into a Samsung account balance. That means rewards are visible inside Wallet and ready to spend on devices, accessories, or services. Closing the loop from “tap → earn → see → spend” is what builds habit—and habit is what makes a wallet your default.

Acceptance that just works

Launching on a major card network gives near-universal merchant coverage across the U.S., which is essential for any newcomer aiming to be your everyday card.

Strategy: bind the card to the wallet—and the wallet to the phone

What makes this noteworthy isn’t just the card—it’s the ecosystem loop. If cashback automatically lands in a Samsung account and can be used instantly for products, services, or promos, you get habit-forming behavior: pay with the card, see rewards inside Wallet, and spend them without friction. That is the same flywheel that made Apple Card sticky—only now, Samsung is positioning a Galaxy-first alternative.

Samsung Wallet is evolving from “tap to pay” to “tap to do more”

In parallel, Wallet itself is gaining features that show up in daily life.

Tap to Transfer (NFC P2P)

Hold two phones together to send money directly to a recipient’s bank account via their debit card credentials—even if that person uses a different wallet. It removes the social friction of “which app do you have?” and turns Wallet into a quick way to settle dinner, reimburse a friend, or split utilities.

Installment payments at checkout

Wallet also supports installment plans on eligible in-store purchases using compatible credit cards. Instead of opening a separate app, you choose a plan right inside Wallet at the terminal. It’s a familiar BNPL experience—just folded into the payment flow you already use.

Why these features matter at checkout

Small, frequent interactions are what make a wallet stick. Splitting a bill, sending $20 to a friend, or breaking up a big purchase into manageable payments creates repetition. Repetition builds trust. And trust is what keeps a wallet icon on your thumb’s home row.

The Apple backdrop—and why timing helps Samsung

Apple reshaped its own approach by discontinuing its in-house Pay Later feature and shifting toward installment options provided by banks and third-party lenders inside Apple Pay. Meanwhile, ongoing issuer realignments around Apple Card have kept headlines buzzing. While Apple remains the incumbent, these changes open a window for Samsung to differentiate on rewards plumbing, P2P convenience, and cross-wallet compatibility.

What to watch next

Official product reveal: Issuer confirmation, APRs, annual fee (if any), and signup bonuses.

Rewards blueprint: Base cashback rate, bonus categories, caps, and how easily rewards convert to purchases.

Provisioning experience: Instant issuance on Galaxy, family controls, and virtual card numbers.

Installments coverage: Eligible states, supported cards, and merchant breadth for in-store and in-app use.

P2P reliability and reach: Transfer speed, limits, and whether Tap to Transfer works smoothly across different wallets and banks.

Who stands to benefit

Power users in the Galaxy ecosystem

If you already live on a Galaxy phone and use Samsung Wallet, a native credit card with visible, instantly usable rewards could consolidate your payments life in one place.

Everyday shoppers

Even if you’re not chasing maxed-out points, the combination of easy P2P, installments when needed, and broad acceptance can make day-to-day spending simpler and more predictable.

A quick checklist before you apply

Net value: Look beyond the headline percentage; check category limits and redemption rules.

Fees and APRs: Intro APRs, penalty rates, and any annual fee matter more than flashy perks.

Security and controls: Per-merchant locks, real-time notifications, and disposable numbers help curb fraud.

Ecosystem fit: If you’re deep in Galaxy, frictionless Wallet integration is worth real money over time.

Bottom line

If Samsung plans to take on Apple Card and Wallet in the USA with a Visa-backed card plus Wallet features like Tap to Transfer and integrated installments, Galaxy owners could gain a credible, convenient alternative for everyday spending. The deciding factor will be the rewards design and the polish of the Wallet experience at launch. If Samsung gets both right, many Android users may finally feel they have an integrated payments stack to rival Apple’s.