Contactless cards aren’t really any faster than Apple Pay secured by your fingerprint, and in fact are the same speed if you prepare your iPhone - supposing your phone is at least as accessible as your contactless card. I’ve never used the Apple Watch for this.
> Contactless cards aren’t really any faster than Apple Pay
I don't have to unlock my card. Also, the card is much lighter and smaller, and I don't worry about dropping and breaking it, so the cognitive load is lighter.
I don't carry a wallet, though, just a card to pay for things, keys, and a license. I also don't carry my phone around unlocked, so those things might make a difference.
If you used the phone as the only thing in your pocket, because it had your DL (if you even drive) and unlocked your doors at home with a smart phone app, then I could definitely see the minimalist appeal. I really like having almost nothing in my pockets, and a phone could do that.
The expected time it takes to pay with a phone is increased by taking into account all the times my fingerprint isn't read successfully on the first (or any) attempt.
Widespread acceptance and use of contactless cards are much, much better than any solution tied to a phone (let alone a luxury phone brand) because they're accessible to anyone with a bank account.
About half the places I shop support Apple and Google pay, and those systems always seem to take the card, but it's far faster than my phone or watch.
Way faster than chip, of course.
No idea why it didn't take off here, contactless cards have been the best experience for me by a mile.
Maybe people have had better luck with phone payments, but the negotiations with those seem glacial to me now.