Apple and Samsung announces payment partnership with China UnionPay

The companies expect an early 2016 launch

Customers will be able to add their bank cards to smartphones and smartwear for purchases Credit: Bloomberg

Apple and Samsung Electronics reached separate agreements with China UnionPay to introduce their competing mobile payments systems in the East next year.

Customers of UnionPay, China’s largest payment and clearing network, will be able to add their bank cards to iPhones, iPads and the Apple Watch for purchases through Apple Pay, the companies said in a statement.

Users of Samsung Galaxy and Note devices will have similar options.

The twin deals allow the ...