Buzz
As the topic of Apple Pay is currently trending, I want to share my real-life experience with using both Google Pay and QR code scanning (specifically MoMo). Each payment method has its strengths and drawbacks, but to clarify, I still prefer using Apple Pay and Google Pay over QR code scanning.Since Apple Pay is not yet available in Vietnam, I'll use Google Pay as an example. I've been using Google Pay since its official launch in Vietnam. I've also shared my experience with Google Pay before. You can check it out below.When it comes to one-time transactions, Google Pay (or Apple Pay) is more convenient and faster than using MoMo. I'm using MoMo as an example because this e-wallet is currently the most popular in Vietnam.
Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or Apple Pay offer faster transactions
I walk into a store, purchase an item, proceed to pay using Google Pay, tap my phone on the POS terminal, complete the transaction, and the store issues a receipt. The simplicity of using Google Pay means there's no need for procedures like scanning the store's QR code, fingerprint (or face) authentication, some places even require entering additional amounts, or showing the payment screen to staff for verification… I find these steps for a single transaction overly complicated.In this example, I draw from real-life experiences of using MoMo and Google Pay for payments. With my phone equipped with Google Pay, I don't even need to unlock it; just bringing the phone close to the POS machine completes the transaction successfully. With my Google Pixel, Google offers the option to enable/disable unlocking authentication for payments, so for small expenses, not needing to unlock the phone for payment is entirely feasible and it's very fast. Even when it's necessary to unlock the phone for payment, I don't need to open the Google Wallet app.
Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay have been extensively explained elsewhere, you can revisit them below:However, there are times when Google Pay fails to process payments. There are many reasons for this, but sometimes even after tapping on the POS machine repeatedly, it doesn't go through, so I have to resort to using QR codes or physical cards. Hence, it can't be said that Google Pay entirely eliminates the need for carrying cards; since the card is already in the wallet, having an additional card inside is natural when going out.
Another reason I opt for Google Pay is that it accepts both debit and credit cards, as long as they're VISA or Mastercard. Moreover, banks partnered with Google Pay often offer cashback programs, alongside the card's own cashback programs.QR code scanning, despite its complexity, is convenient in certain scenarios
The easiest example to notice is in places without POS machines; in such cases, using QR code scanning for payments (with any service or payment gateway, not just MoMo) can be more convenient than using Google Pay and Apple Pay.
For instance, when dining at a regular restaurant where they don't have a POS machine, I'll use MoMo or VNPay for payment. Nowadays, I minimize cash usage; at most, I transfer money through banking apps, and the cash I carry is always less than 1 million dong.I've also encountered a few ironic situations where card payments, QR code payments, or even transfers weren't possible, so I resorted to cash, though it's not a common occurrence.
