What is NFC?

A short-range wireless connectivity technology, it only works when two devices are brought close together, so unlike Bluetooth (BLE), eavesdropping is almost impossible. What's more, it is unique in the way it uses energy. Only one of the two devices needs to be powered an interaction to take place. The first can power the second, so the second can save its battery for other things - or not have a battery at all. NFC offers both one and two-way communication. A bank card is a great example of this as its signal powers the chip inside to let you tap a card to a payment terminal to process a payment.

How does NFC work?

NFC-equipped smartphones and other devices can exchange data with each other with a simple tap or wave using a High Frequency (HF) 13.56 MHz radio wave. You may have made a contactless payment with your bank card or even Apple Pay, it's all possible thanks to NFC.