Previously, you had to hold your device less than one centimeter (0.5cm) from the reader for the NFC (Near Field Communication) chip to respond. But all that is about to change because this week, the NFC Forum, the organization responsible for developing this global standard, announced a major change: the range of NFC will be quadrupled!
A small technical revolution, with very concrete effects
In concrete terms, the NFC detection distance will increase from 0.5 cm to 2 cm. This change may seem minor on paper, but it will have a direct impact on our daily lives. No more missed payments because the smartwatch wasn't perfectly positioned, or multiple attempts with a card you thought you were close enough to. With this new generation, dubbed "NFC Multi-Purpose Tap," the technology is becoming more tolerant, more fluid, and therefore closer to the idea of a true "contactless" payment.
This new standard was made official at the NFC Forum's annual meeting in Vienna in recent days. It is part of a broader project aimed at modernizing NFC technology by 2028. Increasing the range is the first visible building block of this overhaul, but other improvements are planned, particularly in terms of data transfer speed, interoperability, and energy management.
Expanding the NFC range isn't just about payment
In the very near future, we will be able to unlock our cars, open a hotel door, validate a transport ticket, or activate a connected device with a simple gesture, without having to physically hold a badge or phone to the reader. This gain in comfort may seem modest, but it paves the way for more invisible, more intuitive uses. A simple swipe of the hand, and the action is triggered.
Another expected benefit: better compatibility with small objects, such as smartwatches, rings, or even certain smart pens or keychains. Objects for which it was difficult to integrate an effective NFC chip with current proximity constraints.
When?
Obviously, this new standard will not instantly make our current bank cards more powerful. We will have to wait for manufacturers of chips, smartphones, and payment terminals to adopt the specification. The first certified devices are expected in late 2025 or early 2026, with wider adoption likely starting in 2026–2027. For merchants, this won't necessarily involve a massive hardware upgrade, but rather a gradual update of terminals, depending on the model.
On the security side, nothing fundamentally changes. NFC remains a very short-range, encrypted communication protocol designed to prevent any data interception. However, this extended range could revive certain fears, particularly those related to unintentional payments. Manufacturers will therefore have to strengthen software safeguards (detection of voluntary gestures, biometric locking, etc.).
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