Apple‘s upcoming iPhones could make tap-to-unlock experiences significantly smoother thanks to a major NFC upgrade. The NFC Forum recently announced Certification Release 15 (CR15), which quadruples the effective range of NFC technology—promising a more convenient future for iPhone users.
What’s Changing with NFC Range?
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Previous Range | 5mm |
| New CR15 Range | 20mm (4x increase) |
| Requirements | Updated NFC hardware |
| Availability | Future iPhone & Apple Watch models |
Future iPhones to Get 4x Better NFC Range
The new 20mm read range means you won’t need laser-precise alignment anymore when tapping your iPhone to unlock doors, access hotel rooms, or start your car. This upgrade maintains NFC’s security advantages over Bluetooth or Ultra Wideband while dramatically improving usability.
Current iPhone and Apple Watch models won’t benefit from this upgrade since it requires new hardware. However, future devices could adopt this technology as early as the next generation, making HomeKit smart locks and digital car keys more reliable.
For iPhone enthusiasts following the latest Apple mobile technology, this represents a meaningful quality-of-life improvement. Whether you’re unlocking your front door with your hands full or accessing your hotel room while juggling luggage, that extra 15mm makes all the difference.
As an NFC Forum member, Apple likely contributed to this specification development, suggesting strong potential for adoption in upcoming iPhone models. While NFC remains a short-range technology for security purposes, this sweet spot between convenience and protection perfectly aligns with Apple’s user experience philosophy.
Devices supporting the 20mm certification could hit the market within months now that testing protocols are finalized.
FAQs
Will my current iPhone get the extended NFC range?
No, existing devices require updated NFC hardware that can’t be retrofitted through software updates.
When will iPhones with 20mm NFC range be available?
Apple hasn’t announced specific timelines, but devices could launch in upcoming iPhone generations as certification is now available.
