- Configurability
- Memory capacity
- Security
- Data retention
- Write endurance
Because NFC comes in five types with certain differences that make them ideal for specific uses, it's essential to know all about them before purchasing one.
5 Main Types of NFC Tags
The following are the different types of NFC tags.
Type 1
The Type 1 tag is the simplest type of tag. The following are its features:- Operates following ISO 14443A standards
- 106 kbit/s transport speed
- Cheap
- 96 bytes to 2KB capacity
- Read/Write or Read Only
Type 1 tags are useful for business cards, one-time NFC provisioning, and read-only applications. The Innovision Topaz is an example of a Type 1-compliant tag.
Type 2
The Type 2 tag is the most popular tag type due to its functionality. The following are its features:- Operates following ISO 14443A standards
- 106 kbit/s transport speed
- Cheap
- 48 bytes to 2KB capacity
- Read/Write or Read Only
- Anti-collision support available
Type 2 tags are useful for low-value transactions, day transit passes, event tickets, and URL redirects. The NXP Mifare Ultralight, NXP Mifare Ultralight C, NXP NTAG 213, NXP NTAG 215, and NXP NTAG 216 are examples of Type 2-compliant tags.
Type 3
The Type 3 tag is a more expensive tag than the Type 1 and Type 2 tags, and its components are more sophisticated than the other two. The following are its features:- Operates following ISO-18092, JIS-X-6319-4 standards
- 212 or 424 kbit/s transport speed
- 1 to 9 KB capacity
- Read/Write or Read Only
- Anti-collision support available
Type 3 tags are more capable and reliable than the two other tags, so they’re useful for digital wallets, e-tickets, electronic IDs, membership cards, healthcare devices, and home electronics. The Sony Felica is a Type 3-compliant tag.
Type 4
The Type 4 tag is the most flexible NFC tag type as it has the largest memory capacity at 32 KB. The following are its features:- Operates following ISO 14443A and B standards
- 106, 212, or 424 kbit/s transport speed
- 4 to 32 KB capacity
- Read/Write or Read Only
- Anti-collision support available
- Better security for authentications
Type 4 tags are the most flexible tags and can even be used for authentication purposes. The large storage capacity also allows for more use cases. The only downside is this is slightly more expensive than Type 1 and 2 tags. The Type 4 tag is the only type of tag that can support the needed security level for ISO 7816 and allows modification of NDEF content. The NXP DESFire and NXP SmartMX-JCOP are Type 4-compliant tags.
Type 5
The Type 5 tag is cheaper than the Type 4 tag. NFC Forum introduced the Type 5 range to meet the growing variety of long-distance and miniaturized NFC tags. The following are its features:- Operates under the ISO/IEC 15693 norm
- Allows data transfer between technologies supported by the NFC Forum and ISO/IEC 15693 technical specifications
- Better reading distance than other NFC Tag types
- 106 kbit/s transport speed
- 192 bytes to 3.5 KB capacity
- Read/Write or Read Only
- Anti-collision support available
Type 5 tags are the newest tags and are useful for inventory management. The NXP Mifare Classic 1K, NXP Mifare Classic Mini, and NXP Mifare Classic 4K are Type 5-compliant tags.
How to Choose NFC Chips
When selecting NFC chips, you must choose one according to your needs. Even NFC chips compliant with the same NFC Forum Type will have different features. Most of the easily accessible tags for DIYers will be Type 2 tags and will largely include NXP NTAGs and MIFARE chips.
NTAG 213
The NTAG 213 is an easy-to-use and reliable chip. They are sufficient for most use cases and are more common and affordable than the NTAG 215.
NTAG 215
The NTAG 215 has a larger storage capacity of 540 bytes than the NTAG 213 and is more useful for storing more URL characters. The NTAG 213 can only store 132 URL characters, while the NTAG 215 can store 492. The NTAG 215 is the only tag that can be used to create an Amiibo. NTAG 215 chips are also useful for creating v-cards, vouchers, and object identification solutions.
NTAG 216
The NTAG 216 is a high-quality standard chip perfect for a digital business card in the UK. It has a storage capacity of 888 bytes and can store 854 URL characters to store plenty of different kinds of information.
MIFARE Ultralight
The MIFARE Ultralight is an affordable NFC chip that can store simple data and are ideal for high-volume projects. It has a storage capacity of 48 bytes and can store 41 URL characters.
MIFARE Classic
The MIFARE Classic is an access control NFC chip that is a Type 5-compliant NFC chip that started a revolution in contactless smart cards.
MIFARE Plus
The MIFARE Plus is an access control NFC chip that serves as an upgrade to the Classic chips for access control security.
MIFARE DESFire
The MIFARE DESFire is an access control chip that is Type 4-compliant. The DESFire name references the use of the following hardware cryptographic engines for securing transmission data:- DES
- 2K3DES
- 3K3DES
- AES
Salto and Paxton chips
When browsing through NFC Tagify’s product pages, people will encounter the Salto and Paxton NFC chips. These chips are access control chips and are useful for security purposes in offices and other locations.
