Samsung has officially confirmed that one of the top features on its Galaxy-branded handsets is being brought to an end with the Galaxy S21 series. That’s based on recent reports detailing a statement issued to XDA Developers regarding Samsung’s MST technology. Or, more accurately, the lack of MST in the new Samsung Galaxy S21 series.
What was MST in Samsung phones and why won’t the features be in future Galaxy phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S21?
For clarity, MST is similar to NFC, acting as a near-field communications technology that’s accessed via Samsung Pay. Primarily used for tap-to-pay services, Samsung obtained MST from LoopPay back in 2015. In effect, the technology worked by mimicking the magnetic strip found on a credit or debit card.
It’s also among the most widespread technologies for that purpose in the US.
Now, Samsung has reportedly released a statement indicating that no future Galaxy handsets will feature MST. Instead, they’ll opt for NFC. Samsung says that the move comes in response to the rapid adoption of NFC by consumers and technologies.
Presumably, move to remove the technology and associated features from the Samsung Galaxy 21 series shouldn’t cause too much disruption, given that rapid growth. Or at least not as much disruption as may have been caused by other Samsung Pay features’ removal. But that growth is such that Samsung is opting to support that other technology instead.
How will this impact users on older Samsung devices?
Understandably, the move is likely to cause some discord among fans of Samsung devices. But, of course, this won’t have any immediate impact on phones that do still support MST. Namely, Samsung Galaxy smartphones from the Galaxy S20 or Galaxy Note 20 series and backward. Those handsets will still be able to use Samsung Pay, including MST, for the foreseeable future.
In the interim, there are plenty of other aspects of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series to love. And the removal of the service shouldn’t have any major impact on those who use Samsung Pay to check out at the cashier.