News in Short

• Samsung Wallet now supports fingerprint authentication for eligible UPI payments in India.
• Galaxy users can authorise payments up to ₹10,000 without entering a UPI PIN.
• Authentication takes place using the fingerprint sensor on compatible Galaxy smartphones.
• Samsung says the feature can reduce privacy concerns around entering UPI PINs in public.
• It may also reduce payment failures caused by incorrect UPI PINs.

Samsung has introduced fingerprint authentication for UPI payments through Samsung Wallet in India. The feature gives Galaxy users another way to authorise eligible transactions without manually entering their UPI PIN.

The new option works on compatible Galaxy smartphones with fingerprint sensors. Samsung says users can authenticate UPI payments of up to ₹10,000 directly through their device.

UPI Payments Up to ₹10,000 Without a PIN

The biggest change is how users can approve eligible UPI transactions. Instead of entering a UPI PIN, users can authenticate the payment using their registered fingerprint.

Samsung says the feature is designed to make payments simpler. It also reduces the need to enter sensitive payment credentials when making a transaction in public places.

The ₹10,000 limit applies to transactions eligible for the new fingerprint authentication method. The information provided does not specify whether individual banks or other factors could affect eligibility.

Fingerprint Authentication Happens on the Device

Samsung says the authentication takes place on the Galaxy smartphone. This allows the fingerprint sensor to verify the device owner before the payment is authorised.

The approach can also address a common concern with entering UPI PINs in public. Users do not need to manually display or type the PIN for eligible transactions.

Samsung also claims the feature could reduce transaction failures caused by incorrect UPI PIN entries. However, the company has not provided a specific reduction percentage.

Samsung Knox Protects Wallet Data

Security remains a key part of Samsung Wallet. The company says the app uses Samsung Knox, fingerprint recognition and encryption to protect information stored in the wallet.

Samsung says sensitive information is kept in a secure environment. Access is also limited to the device owner.

The Wallet is not limited to UPI payments. It also supports contactless transactions using tokenised credit and debit cards, along with utility bill payments.

Samsung Wallet Goes Beyond Payments

Samsung Wallet brings several digital items together in one place. Users can store digital keys, boarding passes, tickets and ID cards through the app.

Samsung has also expanded the platform with travel-focused features. Earlier this year, the company introduced Trips, which creates a timeline for travel details such as flights, hotel bookings, car rentals, excursions and tickets.

Users can also manually add itinerary details, notes and reminders to the Trips timeline.

Fingerprint Adds Another Payment Option

The new UPI authentication feature adds a more direct way for compatible Galaxy users to approve payments. It combines the convenience of biometric authentication with Samsung Wallet’s existing payment features.

For users, the practical change is simple. Eligible UPI payments up to ₹10,000 can now be authorised using a fingerprint instead of manually entering a UPI PIN.

Samsung is positioning the feature as both a convenience and privacy-focused addition to Wallet. The company has not specified in the provided information which Galaxy models will receive the feature or whether all banks will support it immediately.