The problem

Payment methods differ from countries, so how people pay for goods and services varies significantly.

Credit or debit card payments were standard in South Korea and the US, but card usage in China, for example, was not as widespread. Historically, China has preferred using cash for transactions, and alternative methods such as QR/barcode payment have become extremely popular, including restaurants, supermarkets, taxis, and even public services.

[Usage of QR payments found during market research]

Project approach

As a result, Samsung Pay needed to be customized for every market it launched in, bringing tailored solutions and partnerships. My responsibility was to integrate local services and make the current payment experience more convenient, engaging people to use our services frequently and increasing the number of active users.

Starting with research

First, I researched QR/barcode payments and collaborated with Chinese partners to integrate their solutions into Samsung Pay.

Previously, paying with code was required to open a separate app on devices. When customers wanted to spend with their QR or barcode in-store, they had to unlock their phone, find the supported app, and open it. Most apps require extra security verification before displaying codes; people must enter a payment PIN or authenticate with biometrics. Once the verification process is complete, they can purchase with payment codes.

Although necessary, these steps can be time-consuming and inconvenient for users.

Design exploration

Thanks to collaboration with device framework engineers, Samsung Pay was accessible without requiring users to unlock their phones. Payments could be made even when the phone is still locked by entering a payment PIN or verifying biometrics. I found this can also simplify the QR/barcode payment process faster, removing the need to access other apps.

After researching the QR/barcode payment experience and considering the current design concept of Samsung Pay, I concluded that the new design should be similar to a card style.

1. Can be used without unlocking the phone, just like making payments with credit or debit cards.

2. Can be easily switched between other payment methods.

3. Should be aligned and consistent with the current design concept.

The final product

I made final design refinements based on partners' and internal leadership feedback. I worked closely with the engineering team through design specifications and conducted multiple tests on builds before the launch.

After implementing Alipay, the company expanded its partnership with WeChat Pay, the second-leading QR/barcode payment service. The development period was significantly reduced by almost one-third due to integrating with a close design concept.

[Integrated the second-leading QR/barcode payment service in China]

Additionally, in March 2017, Samsung Pay supported several digital wallet services in India with similar requirements to show payment codes within the app without opening multiple apps. These expansions were developed based on the existing concept, resulting in an efficient design process.

[Supported local digital wallet services in India]

Integrating QR/barcode payment has been crucial in supporting Samsung Pay for lower-segment devices. This solution enables users to make payments even if they don't have a credit or debit card. It has become essential to cater to different device segments, allowing the company to expand its user base, particularly in China and India, where many prefer affordable devices over high-end ones.