Let’s find out together the differences between NFC technology and Bluetooth technology, now present on all modern phones and smartwatches
On modern phones we find both Bluetooth technology and NFC technology among the connectivity supported by the operating system. However, many users are not very clear about the differences between the two technologies and limit themselves to turning them off when not necessary, without realizing the potential that both can offer if left on (net of battery consumption, which will inevitably have a slightly higher consumption).
In the following guide we will answer all the questions of the NFC vs Bluetooth comparison , showing you in detail the differences between the two wireless technologies and where it is possible to exploit them nowadays, so as to obtain hidden or never used features on modern phones , including which certainly stands out the contactless payment and the quick pairing of Bluetooth.
What is Blueooth?
Bluetooth is the oldest wireless connection technology available on a phone, even before the birth of smartphones as we know them today. This technology was created to connect audio peripherals (headphones, earphones and speakers) without the need to use a cable, using a dedicated radio transmission channel (operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency ).
With the arrival of smartphones , Bluetooth has become increasingly useful and important , to the point that fewer and fewer people are turning it off: with Bluetooth we can also transfer files between two phones , transfer files from phone to PC , connect a smartband. or a smartwatch to exchange fitness data (but also notifications and alarms), track infections from COVID-19 and even find a lost iPhone without a data network connection, using the Bluetooth data of the other iPhones we cross along the way.
The latest version of the technology, known as Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) , consumes very little in energy terms, while maintaining good signal coverage (which settles, under normal conditions, in about 5-6 meters from the phone).
What is NFC?
NFC makes its appearance on phones in 2011, establishing itself as a wireless technology for contactless information exchange .
At the beginning it was only used to create NFC tags or to exchange small files between phones without letting them touch, within a range of 2-3 centimeters. Over time this technology has become more important , becoming one of the most comfortable and secure payment methods.
In fact, with NFC we can use the smartphone as a virtual credit card, then using the NFC sensor on the back of the phone to pay in the POS of the stores, as seen in the guide on how to pay with NFC on Android and iPhone and how to use Google Pay .
NFC has got a bad reputation in terms of energy consumption, but in most cases this reputation is undeserved : NFC consumes nothing until it finds another NFC device with which to talk and exchange data, still consuming an amount of energy ( for the few seconds in which it is active) much lower than a constant connection via Bluetooth. To understand when it consumes little NFC just know that on the latest iPhone models it is always active and it is not possible to turn it off in any way.
Can we use NFC and Bluetooth together?
On modern phones, therefore, the two technologies are often and willingly left on for necessity, but few also know the secret function that binds NFC and Bluetooth : on many wireless devices it is possible to use NFC to quickly pair two Bluetooth devices, without having to enter codes security and without having to press on the menus for the association.
This function becomes tremendously useful for connecting two devices that do not have a control display: by turning on the Bluetooth on the devices and approaching the NFC sensor of both, it is possible to exchange the access data and the PIN , so as to immediately establish the Bluetooth connection .
This special function can be found on the speakers and soundbars, so you can quickly associate the phones to the speakers to listen to music. Examples of Bluetooth devices that also support NFC for Bluetooth pairing are the Samsung Soundbar HW-T400 / ZF and the Tronsmart Mega Pro 60W Bluetooth Speaker Speaker .
Conclusions
If we had to choose a winner between the two technologies, no one wins over the other: NFC is convenient to use and allows you to start the transfer or payment simply by bringing the two devices within a few centimeters of each other.
If, on the other hand, we have to connect devices to transmit audio wirelessly up to a few meters away, nothing beats Bluetooth , which has a much wider coverage. The two technologies can also be used together to speed up pairing between a phone and an audio speaker (usually a soundbar, but also some high-end Bluetooth speakers).
Still on these two technologies we can find out which is faster between Wifi and Bluetooth? and how to use NFC on mobile .
