So I've been in the beta for over a week now, but I've only had a few chances to use Samsung Pay. Where I've used it, it's worked great. But to be honest, being able to use it at magnetic stripe readers isn't really that more beneficial than when I had Apple Pay on my iPhone. Why is that? Because almost everywhere I go, they take my physical credit card to make the payment rather than having a terminal for me to use myself. I'm certainly NOT going to hand them my phone so they can make the payment for me using Samsung Pay.
So until more merchants at least have terminals that you can use to pay yourself, NONE of these mobile payment systems are going to allow you to leave your wallet at home. That's just a big lie and they know it. I'd say about 90% of the restaurants I go to require you to give them your credit card while they walk away and charge your card. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Olive Garden now has terminals right at your table to pay with, and Samsung Pay worked great there!
I am not disappointed in Samsung Pay, but I am disappointed that we are behind the times in the USA with regards to mobile payments and upgrading terminals. I think it's going to take many years for this to take off here, unfortunately. Yes, I'll continue to use it whenever I get the chance, but there's NO chance I'll be leaving my wallet (or any of my cards) at home.