Samsung is beta-testing its mobile payments scheme in South Korea during a month-long trial as it seeks to keep pace with rival Apple.

The South Korean firm has already signed up beta testers and will be running the trials from July 15 to August 20, according to the SamMobile website.

In order to encourage spending, Samsung is offering reward points to testers who spend over 50,000 won (£28) during the period.

The South Korean electronics firm first unveiled Samsung Pay at Mobile World Congress in March and revealed it would launch first in its home market and the US.

Samsung has partnered with MasterCard to launch the Apple pay rival, which will allow people to make in-store purchases via contactless payments on their mobile.

The US and Korean launch dates of Samsung Pay are due in September, about a year after the roll out of Apple Pay.

The Samsung service will only be available to those who have a MasterCard account and own a Samsung Galaxy S6.

MasterCard chief emerging payments officer Ed McLaughlin said his company has teamed up with Samsung to provide a “digital payment experience that is both simple and secure”.

The companies claim the technology will work at both “contactless-enabled and most traditional point of sale terminals”.

Competitive market

Alongside facing stiff competition from Apple Pay, which launched in the UK today, Samsung Pay will also need to compete against Android-owner Google.

Google has struck a deal with 13 financial institutions will allow shoppers with an Android smartphone, including the Samsung Galaxy S6, to make contactless payments with their devices in 700,000 stores across the US.

The payment method will be available to use in any stores that accept contactless payments, which includes major retailers such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.