NFC ForumAnnouncing the launchNFC Release 15, quadruples the operating range of near field communication interactions and enables a faster, more seamless experience. The NFC Forum is the global standards body responsible for near field communication technology. NFC Release 15 expands the maximum operating range of NFC contactless connections from 0.5 cm to 2 cm. The four-fold increase in NFC operating range reduces the need for precise alignment between devices during contactless transactions.
NFC version 15 improves reliability and speed, resulting in fewer failed or duplicate clicks. It improves the performance of small devices such as wearables, which contain smaller antennas. Now, with support for devices such as iPhones to act as NFC readers (such as when using the Tap to Pay feature on iPhone), the connection range will be wider and more stable.
The multi-purpose touch feature has been optimized to trigger multiple actions with one touch, such as scanning a loyalty card while making a payment. In addition, the new standard also extends support for NFC Digital Product Passport (DPP). DPP is an initiative of the European Commission to embed environmental and life cycle data into physical products.
Apple is one of eight key board-level members of the NFC Forum, along with companies such as Google, Sony and NXP. Both iPhone and Apple Watch support NFC, so the improvements in NFC Release 15 should significantly improve the performance and reliability of these devices in the future.
Technical specifications for NFC Release 15 are now available to NFC Forum Associate, Principal and Sponsor-level member companies. Certification of devices compliant with the NFC Release 15 standard is expected to be available in the second half of 2025.