Concept: Samsung and South Korea’s SK Telecom have collaborated to unveil the Samsung Galaxy Quantum2 smartphone that is equipped with quantum technology. It can facilitate safe online transactions and quantum protection to apps available on the smartphone.

Nature of Disruption: Samsung Galaxy Quantum2 smartphone has an in-built Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) chip developed by Swiss Quantum-Safe technology provider ID Quantique. The chip leverages logical mathematics and algorithms to create random cryptographic keys that are hard to crack. QRNG also uses an LED light source that beams photons onto a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) sensor. When photons are picked up by the sensor, the chip changes to the random property and translates into a completely unpredictable key. It provides quantum security to transactions by generating stronger one-time-password during two-factor authentication. The QRNG can securely store sensitive data related to biometrics to authorize payments and personal documents. SK Telecom allows users to create ‘quantum wallets’ on their Samsung Galaxy Quantum2 smartphones to encrypt and store useful identity documents such as licenses, insurance claim documents, and graduation certificates.

Outlook:  Mobile app hacking has risen drastically in recent years and it has become one of the most preferred vehicles of exploitation for hackers. To overcome these challenges, smartphone manufactures are collaborating with technology companies to develop quantum encrypted smartphones. SK telecom claims QRNG built-in smartphone can be challenging to hack without any physical access to the device. It also has plans to open quantum technology to new applications, including Samsung Card.