Samsung has hit a hurdle in its bid to challenge Apple and Google in the mobile payment sector, with its decision to hold back the UK release of its own payment service, according to The Telegraph.

Samsung Pay was launched in the US and South Korea in 2015, and nine other countries since, with promises it would find its way to the UK this year. However, the contactless payment option will now not make its way to British shores until 2017.

A Samsung spokesman told The Telegraph: “Following successful launches of Samsung Pay around the world, we are planning to launch the service in the UK in 2017.”

Samsung Pay allows owners of the tech giants phones and smartwatches to make contactless transactions in shops – similar to Apple Pay and Android Pay.

Although Samsung phones already run on the Android operating system, and users already have access to Android Pay, the South Korean multinational wants to reduce its reliance on Android. Samsung are already supporting the Tizen operating system in some markets.

Also, Android Pay is incompatible with Samsung’s smartwatches, giving Apple Watch’s an advantage at present.

The delay further adds to the woes that Samsung have suffered in the last few months. Just last month, it was forced to recall and stop production of the Galaxy Note 7 due to fire concerns.

Apple’s payment platform arrived in the UK in July 2015 – but has had some struggles – while Google’s made its debut in May this year.