SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics have released the world’s first 5G smartphone equipped with a quantum cryptography chipset for super-strong protection in data transmission, expanding the top security technology from the B2B market to the mass consumer market.

SK Telecom said on Thursday the Galaxy A Quantum slated for launch in Korea on May 22 features a quantum random number generating chipset developed by SK Telecom’s Switzerland-based subsidiary ID Quantique, a supplier of quantum key distribution systems.

SK Telecom acquired ID Quantique in 2018 as part of its 2011 commitment to quantum technology development. The latest smartphone is a result of ‘hyper-cooperation’ with Samsung Electronics based on SKT’s advances in designing the chipset size (2.5mm x 2.5mm) small enough for the device.

The chip encrypts codes by true random numbers, creating secure keys with unpredictable patterns. The new smartphone fitted with quantum cryptography is evaluated as the highest level of security that cannot be hacked with any of today’s technology, according to the company. It is ahead of iPhone’s security that relies on an ordinary random number generator that creates complex patterns.

The chipset is applied to two-factor authentication for T-ID, biometric authentication for the SK Pay mobile payment service, and Initial, a blockchain-based mobile electronic certification service.

T-ID, which uses ID login and quantum one-time password (OTP) authentication, is applied to SKT’s 28 services including online marketplace 11st, mobile navigation T Map, OTT platform Wavve, music streaming FLO, T Membership and AI speaker Nugu.

Users will also benefit from advanced security protection while making payments via the SK Pay app at offline retailers.

Initial automatically creates a ‘quantum wallet’ when users store their personal certificates such as graduation certificate and insurance claim documents, providing an added layer of security.

The Galaxy A Quantum features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display and a 4500mAH battery. It is priced at 649,000 (about $530).

By Lim Young-sin and Minu Kim

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