Samsung Galaxy Card launches in the US to take on Apple Card: 5% cash back, $200 bonus, no annual fee

Samsung Galaxy Card rewards: Samsung has officially stepped into the consumer credit card market in the United States with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Card, marking the company's first branded credit card. Introduced ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2026, the new Visa credit card has been developed in partnership with Barclays and is designed to work seamlessly with Samsung Wallet.

The launch puts Samsung in direct competition with products like the Apple Card, as technology companies continue to expand beyond smartphones into financial services and digital payments.

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What is the Samsung Galaxy Card?

The Samsung Galaxy Card is a no-annual-fee Visa credit card issued by Barclays US Consumer Bank. It comes in both a physical version and a digital version that can be added directly to Samsung Wallet for contactless payments.

The company says the card is built to reward customers who regularly shop within Samsung's ecosystem while also offering cashback on everyday spending.

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Samsung Galaxy Card rewards explained

The biggest attraction of the new card is its cashback program.

Cardholders can earn:

• 5% cash rewards on eligible Samsung purchases, including pre-orders of upcoming Galaxy devices
• 3% cash rewards on eligible purchases made using Samsung Wallet
• 2% cash rewards on eligible streaming subscription services
• 1% cash rewards on all other eligible purchases

Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits or transferred to eligible bank accounts, giving users flexibility in how they use their cashback.

$200 welcome bonus for new customers

Samsung is also offering an introductory welcome bonus.

Eligible customers can receive $200 in cash rewards after meeting the required spending criteria during the promotional period. The company has also included benefits such as discounted Samsung VIP Advantage membership for qualifying users.

No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees

The Galaxy Card comes without an annual fee, making it competitive with several popular cashback credit cards in the US. It also does not charge foreign transaction fees, which could make it useful for international travelers.

Who issues the Samsung Galaxy Card?

The card is issued by Barclays US Consumer Bank and runs on the Visa payment network.

Barclays manages the banking operations, approvals and customer accounts, while Samsung focuses on the digital experience through Samsung Wallet and its broader Galaxy ecosystem.

Who is eligible?

The Samsung Galaxy Card is currently available only in the United States.

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Meet Barclays' credit approval requirements
• Complete the application process through Samsung or Barclays

Approval depends on the applicant's credit profile and other financial factors.

When can customers apply?

Samsung announced that applications for the Galaxy Card will open on July 22, coinciding with its Galaxy Unpacked event. Customers can apply online, while the card will also be available through Samsung retail stores in the US.

Samsung takes on Apple in digital finance

Industry analysts see the Galaxy Card as Samsung's answer to Apple's financial ecosystem.

Like Apple Card, Samsung's offering is tightly integrated with its mobile wallet and is aimed at encouraging users to stay within the company's ecosystem for shopping, payments and future financial services.

According to Samsung, nearly 70% of US households own at least one Samsung product, giving the company a large potential customer base for its new financial offering.

What Samsung executives said

Announcing the launch, Samsung said: "Samsung Galaxy Card is designed to deliver meaningful rewards and a seamless payment experience for our customers."

Barclays also highlighted the partnership, saying it aims to create a more connected digital financial experience for Samsung users.