- 14 Mar 2002
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Good news for Android users who acquired their devices abroad: their Galaxy phones sold outside Japan will finally support Suica and FeliCa.
Samsung Electronics has announced a new partnership that could change travel in Japan for Galaxy users. The company said it is working with East Japan Railway Company to bring Suica and FeliCa support to Galaxy phones sold outside Japan from 2027. The announcement came through Samsung Electronics Japan, which is handling the local tie-up. That may sound a little unusual, but the practical point is that future Galaxy devices sold internationally are expected to work with Japan's contactless payment system without the limitations users have faced until now.
NFC payments are common globally, but Japan has long been a special case. The country relies on FeliCa, a different contactless standard developed by Sony Group Corporation. Android phones worldwide have generally not supported it, even as Apple's iPhones have for years. That looks set to change. From 2027, Galaxy phones sold overseas are expected to support FeliCa, allowing use with services such as Welcome Suica Mobile. In practical terms, visitors should be able to tap phones for trains, buses and retail payments as soon as they arrive. That is the idea.
Samsung is also planning deeper integration with Samsung Pay. Users are expected to be able to top up Suica balances, buy Green Car tickets, and purchase commuter passes directly through the app. The support is aimed at overseas visitors, but it should also benefit users in Japan.
sammyguru.com
Samsung Electronics has announced a new partnership that could change travel in Japan for Galaxy users. The company said it is working with East Japan Railway Company to bring Suica and FeliCa support to Galaxy phones sold outside Japan from 2027. The announcement came through Samsung Electronics Japan, which is handling the local tie-up. That may sound a little unusual, but the practical point is that future Galaxy devices sold internationally are expected to work with Japan's contactless payment system without the limitations users have faced until now.
NFC payments are common globally, but Japan has long been a special case. The country relies on FeliCa, a different contactless standard developed by Sony Group Corporation. Android phones worldwide have generally not supported it, even as Apple's iPhones have for years. That looks set to change. From 2027, Galaxy phones sold overseas are expected to support FeliCa, allowing use with services such as Welcome Suica Mobile. In practical terms, visitors should be able to tap phones for trains, buses and retail payments as soon as they arrive. That is the idea.
Samsung is also planning deeper integration with Samsung Pay. Users are expected to be able to top up Suica balances, buy Green Car tickets, and purchase commuter passes directly through the app. The support is aimed at overseas visitors, but it should also benefit users in Japan.
Galaxy Phones Sold Outside Japan Will Finally Support Suica and FeliCa
Samsung confirmed it’s working with JR East to bring Suica and FeliCa support to Galaxy phones sold outside Japan starting in 2027.
sammyguru.com
