NFC payment

[Brad_Olwin]

@stigman88 If someone here knows, they will be under NDA. You are not likely to get an answer to this question.

[ppresing]

If Race has HW implemented NFC chip, therefore, that is possible. Otherwise no chance. I’m not sure, if Race has that HW installed.

[Egika]

@ppresing yes, there is NFC hardware built in the Race.
Have just answered a similar question on FB. NFC can be used for many things, including sensor pairing, access control and other cool stuff. Payment needs a backend linked to the watch - no idea about Suunto’s plans, but that would be a rather big invest for a company of Suunto’s size…

[ppresing]

@Egika I agree. The only model that supported NFC payment, was S7. Android based (WEAR OS BY GOOGLE), but only for Google Pay, no Apple Pay. I doubt, we will ever have NFC payment on Race, Vertical.

[Marko Vezmar]

Hello to all. Is there any update on this topic? I am considering Suunto Race, but NFC is important for me.

[Strajamoned]

@stigman88 said in NFC payment:

Guys,
Will Suunto Race get NFC payment feauture in the future? I’m considering to buy this watch and I’m wondering if there are any plans or chance to have this feature implemented later on.
That being said, if you’re looking for a reliable way to manage payments in the meantime, an innovative service could be a good alternative. It allows you to create virtual credit cards, which you can use for all your purchases without needing NFC on the watch: (link removed). It’s super simple and secure!

I can totally see how having NFC payment would make the Suunto Race even more convenient for daily use. As of now, Suunto hasn’t officially announced plans for adding NFC payment features to their watches, but they have been consistently updating their products with new software features, so I’m expecting this feature could come in the future. It’s worth keeping an eye on updates from Suunto for more info

[BrunoH]

@Strajamoned NFC payment requires additional hardware, which AFAIK is not built in Suunto watches. So I don’t expect this happening soon as a SW update can’t make it happen.

[inkognito]

@BrunoH @Egika said in NFC payment:

@ppresing yes, there is NFC hardware built in the Race.

[BrunoH]

@inkognito oops, my mistake!

[maszop]

@Strajamoned In the case of payments, hardware is the least of the problems.
The current Suunto software and its development over the last few years allow us to state that this will not happen. For example, Suunto has failed to fix something as basic as controlling the music player for years. Payments are a completely different level, in my opinion unattainable.

Besides, for many Suunto users, payments are completely unnecessary.

[Stefano M64]

@maszop said in NFC payment:

Besides, for many Suunto users, payments are completely unnecessary.

completely agree, Suunto watches are focused on sportive activities

[A Former User]

@maszop What some see as failure and unattainable, others may see as pointless and unnecessary.

[Tami999]

I dont mind payments. I wanted to have it in past, but now - its ok if will have, ok if not. Someday Suunto will have to add it to keep up with competition. Many sport-watch users looking for that. I often see comments under sport watches “Does have NFC?”. If Suunto want to hit in larger group, its gonna be must-have.

[thanasis]

@Tami999 said in NFC payment:

I dont mind payments. I wanted to have it in past, but now - its ok if will have, ok if not. Someday Suunto will have to add it to keep up with competition. Many sport-watch users looking for that. I often see comments under sport watches “Does have NFC?”. If Suunto want to hit in larger group, its gonna be must-have.

I feel it is a really good feature if you want to exercise without carrying a phone. I do keep a plastic debit card with me, but leaving my stuff at home and having nothing but my athletic gear is a convenient thing. There are times that I prefer to run with an Apple Watch just because of that.

[kurtpenter]

@thanasis same! actually it even crossed my mind to buy a lightweight watch like these to carry on my right arm: https://www.swatch.com/it-it/watches/watches-with-nfc-payment/

However I don’t feel stupid enough to do it yet… even if it would add not one but 2 features my Suunto Vertical does not have: NFC payments and (unbelievable) laps on the stopwatch!

[halajos]

@kurtpenter I’ve read somewhere in the forum that there are watch straps with built-in NFC.

[timecode]

@halajos yes, from Polar https://www.polar.com/en/payment-wristband-22mm?srsltid=AfmBOooeilzvXvdTKA1oFYiLnJ6ujWifiKB7HqdlHgfu7n3oRn84PMYg

[Tami999]

I wouldn’t trust NFC straps that are activated all the time. It works like chip taken from card and put into strap?

[kurtpenter]

@timecode thank you! but I’m not sure it works well in Italy. The partners are a bit weird like Moorwand. Did anyone in the forum use it in Italy?