Experts at popular technology blog Anandtech have analysed the leaks related to the new iPhone and come to the conclusion that Apple's upcoming smartphone is "unlikely" to come with NFC technology.
NFC, or Near Field Communication, technology enables devices to communicate with each other over radio frequencies without any physical contact (much like Bluetooth). This means, for example, you can simply swipe your NFC enabled phone to make a payment at a NFC enabled vendor, as an alternative to paying by credit card. Banks around the world have done away with detailed authorization checks for NFC transactions below certain amount, which means the entire transaction is completed much faster.
A NFC connection establishes much faster than Bluetooth (but not Bluetooth Low Energy) and also has a shorter range than Bluetooth, reducing the likelihood of unwanted pairings.
Brian Klug and
Anand Shimpi had this to say about the
topic:
Given the primarily metal backside of the new iPhone, it's highly unlikely that NFC is in the cards for this generation. In fact, given the very little space at top and bottom dedicated to those glass RF windows, you can almost entirely rule it out.Noted Apple pundit Jim Dalrymple of The Loop weighed in with a simple "Yep." in
agreement with Anandtech's assessment, adding further fuel to the fire.
Flagship smartphones from Samsung, HTC, LG and Nokia, as well as several other mid-to-high-range smartphones have been shipping with NFC technology for around two years, increasing speculation that Apple will follow suit.
Is this the new iPhone?