Samsung unveils 2nd generation Galaxy A smartphones, hints at mid-December Samsung Pay launch in China

Samsung has launched second-generation versions of the mid-range Galaxy A3 and A5 smartphones it first unveiled last October, and the Galaxy A7 it introduced in February.

Above: Galaxy A7 (2016)

The refreshed Samsung Galaxy A (2016) lineup is: the 5.5-inch Galaxy A7, the 5.2-inch Galaxy A5, and the 4.7-inch Galaxy A3. Both the A3 and A5 now have slightly larger screens than the previous incarnations.

Besides minor improvements to the processors and cameras across the three devices, as well as a narrower bezel, perhaps the most notable enhancement for the Galaxy A range is that the A5 and A7 phones now support Samsung Pay.

Though the Galaxy A (2016) will initially only be available in China, where it will go on sale from mid-December, the fact that Samsung Pay has been included on two of the devices is indicative of the company’s plans for the mobile payments service.

At the time of writing, Samsung Pay is available only in the U.S. and South Korea, though it has been expected to launch in the U.K., Spain, and China in the near future. A mid-December China launch for the Galaxy A may hint at an imminent expansion of Samsung Pay — whether that’s only for China, or includes other mooted markets, remains to be seen.

Samsung would only say that the Galaxy A range will be expanded into “global markets” — it gave no time frame, locations, or indication of price.

Meanwhile, check out the full list of specifications in the graphics below.

Above: Samsung Galaxy A3

Above: Samsung Galaxy A3

Above: Samsung Galaxy A7