New NFC Forum CR15 nearly quadruples range to 20mm, enabling iPhone and Apple Watch to unlock doors, cars, and pay from pockets—faster, steadier, and still secure.
© A. Krivonosov
Future iPhone and Apple Watch models will be able to interact with locks, cars, and other NFC-enabled devices from noticeably farther away. The NFC Forum has introduced a new CR15 certification that nearly quadruples NFC’s operating range—from 5 to 20 millimeters.
This upgrade could change everyday habits: doors, hotel rooms, cars, and even payment terminals can be unlocked without pulling a device from a pocket or bag. The new specification also makes connections steadier and more reliable, removing the need to line devices up with pinpoint accuracy. In practice, shaving off those small moments of fiddling tends to be what makes technology feel truly seamless.
Importantly, the extended range does not compromise security. The NFC Forum says the technology remains more secure than Bluetooth or ultra-wideband.
Certification is already underway, and the first devices supporting the updated NFC could reach the market in the coming months—likely in upcoming generations of iPhone and Apple Watch.