NFC Coming to Sony Smartphones

Near Field Communication (NFC) lets two devices exchange small amounts of data when they are held a few centimetres apart. When Sony announced that its upcoming Android phones would include NXP’s PN65 chip, it signalled that NFC was moving from a few early phones into the mainstream.

What NFC is used for

An NFC-enabled phone can make contactless payments, redeem virtual coupons and gift cards, read tags, and pair with accessories by touch. The range is very short on purpose, which limits accidental connections.

About the PN65 chip

The NXP PN65 combines the radio controller, a secure element, and the supporting software in one package. The secure element stores payment credentials separately from the phone’s main operating system. NXP builds on cryptographic techniques already used in bank cards, e-passports, and secure-access badges.

Why availability in Canada lagged

A phone with an NFC chip is only half of a payment system. Banks, card networks, and retailers also need to support it. At the time of the announcement, Canadian rollout was expected to take time, but chip-equipped phones would be ready when services arrived.

The security question

The original article voiced doubt about NFC and asked readers whether they would trust a manufacturer with card details after high-profile hacks. The concern is reasonable to weigh. Payment NFC typically relies on tokenized credentials and the secure element, and a phone with a screen lock adds a further barrier.