Samsung's next fitness band may let you pay with your wrist

Samsung's next fitness band, the Galaxy Fit 4, may let you pay by tapping your wrist. That is what a listing in Samsung's app points to, according to Android Authority. But the picture is mixed, because the band's US regulatory filing does not mention the technology that tap-to-pay normally needs.

What the clues say

The Galaxy Fit 4 is a fitness tracker, a slim band worn on the wrist. The app listing suggests it supports tap-to-pay, which lets you hold your wrist near a store terminal instead of pulling out a card or phone.

The filing tells a different story. It is the FCC filing, a required US radio approval, and it does not mention NFC. NFC is the short-range wireless tech that tap-to-pay relies on.

What is not known yet

Samsung has not confirmed payment support in the material available. It is unclear which is right, the app listing or the filing. A missing mention in a filing does not prove a feature is absent, and an app listing is not an official announcement either.

Also unknown are the price, the release date and which payment services would work on the band.

What to do

If you want to leave your wallet and phone at home, hold off on buying until Samsung confirms whether payments really work. If you only want a basic fitness band, this question matters less.