The best phones with NFC: What are your options?

Publish date: 2023-03-31

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

If you’re in the market for an NFC-enabled smartphone, you’ve come to the right place. There are many options available these days, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to find the best phones with NFC so that you don’t have to do all the hard work. This list mostly includes high-end devices, but we’ve added a few great mid-rangers to the mix as well.

What is NFC, anyway?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

This may sound like alien technology to those who haven’t played much with this feature. The short answer is that NFC stands for Near Field Communications. The longer one is a bit more complex.

NFC is a technology that allows close-up communications between devices or tags. It can be used to make payments, for example. Have you ever seen people pay with their phones using something like Google Pay? It can be done thanks to NFC.

You can also use NFC to do things like automating settings. Want to share your Wi-Fi password with others? Program an NFC tag and have people tap their phones on it. You can also program your smart home devices; imagine tapping your phone on an NFC tag by the door and having all lights go on.

In addition, NFC can be found on cameras, smart appliances, and even monitors. It’s become an invaluable tool for the modern smartphone user. Most high-end phones have NFC on board these days, while the same can’t be said for mid-range and budget handsets which is surprising but true. As such, it is sometimes tricky to find a phone with NFC and the features you want at a price that fits your budget.

Dive deeper: Learn everything there is to know about NFC

The best phones with NFC

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best phones with NFC regularly as new devices launch.

Samsung Galaxy S22 family

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Samsung is back at it in 2022, launching what are all but guaranteed to be some of the hottest smartphones of the year. The Samsung Galaxy S22 series is composed of the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra. All come with outstanding performance, gorgeous screens, capable cameras, and an overall fantastic experience.

All devices come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or an Exynos 2200, at least 8GB of RAM (Ultra can have 12GB), and AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The smallest one is the Galaxy S22 at 6.1 inches, while the Galaxy S22 Plus upgrades to a 6.6-inch panel.

More: Which are the best Samsung phones?

Of course, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the beefiest of the bunch, both in size and specs. Many would argue it’s a replacement to the retired Galaxy Note lineup. It comes with a massive 6.8-inch display and an S Pen, both obvious characteristics of the Note series.

Samsung Galaxy S22 specs:

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus specs:

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra specs:

Apple iPhone 13 family

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We may be an Android-centric website, but it’s not easy to simply brush the iPhone 13 series under the rug. Apple’s iPhone 13 family includes four models, including one of the best small flagships you can get, the iPhone 13 Mini.

The iPhone 13 and 13 Pro look very similar, each with a 6.1-inch notched display. Of course, there are some differences in specs and the number of rear cameras. You’ll only find two rear cameras on the 13 and 13 Mini, while the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max models sport triple camera arrays. No matter which device you choose, all of Apple’s latest phones are 5G ready with A15 Bionic chips onboard. All four are excellent phones with NFC to meet your wireless needs.

Related: Which iPhone is right for you?

You may not look forward to moving from Android to iOS, but it’s easier than ever to switch. Apple offers a near rainbow of color options, and we won’t judge you for changing.

Apple iPhone 13 Mini specs:

Apple iPhone 13 specs:

Apple iPhone 13 Pro specs:

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max specs:

OnePlus 10 Pro

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

The OnePlus 10 Pro was first released in China and has since been launched globally, including in North America, and it’s definitely among the best phones with NFC you can get. It’s one of the first phones launched in collaboration with Oppo, something you can tell by looking at the new design.

The OnePlus 10 Pro features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and as much as 12GB of RAM, which means it can handle just about any task you throw at it. The screen comes in at 6.7 inches and looks incredible thanks to the AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Other specs and features include a triple-camera system at the back, an IP68 rating, and a 5,000mAh battery with as much as 80W charging (65W in the USA).

Pricing isn’t as low as we’d like considering the $900 MSRP, but the phone does offer everything power users need.

OnePlus 10 Pro specs:

Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Just look at them. Their colors are fun and light-hearted, but their internals sure aren’t. These come with Google’s new Tensor chipset, and 8/12GB of RAM, ensuring speedy performance. The displays are also stunning, with the Pixel 6 featuring a Full HD+ AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 6 Pro upgrades you to a QHD+ panel with 120Hz.

Of course, both are phones with NFC and will take care of all your short-distance connectivity needs.

Google Pixel 6 specs:

Google Pixel 6 Pro specs:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 isn’t just one of the best NFC phones around. This device is truly unique and special. It’s arguably the best foldable phone to get right now, offering the functionality of a larger tablet screen, and the pocketability and one-handed nature of a regular smartphone. It has an external 6.2-inch display, but the handset can be folded out to showcase a 7.6-inch panel with a 1768 x 2208p AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,200 nits of brightness.

More options: The best foldable phones you can find right now

You’ll get everything you can expect from a high-end flagship, too. Specs include a powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. There’s also a triple-camera setup onboard. We wish the 4,400mAh battery was larger, especially considering that screen must really eat up the battery, but having a foldable handset has its downsides.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold specs:

Samsung Galaxy A53

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and A52s 5G were great mid-rangers, but every phone needs to be cycled out. The successor has arrived, carrying the predictable Galaxy A53 moniker. It’s one of the best mid-range phones with NFC, although it offers much more than just that.

You’d be surprised how much a mid-tier device can get you these days. The Galaxy A53 comes with the Exynos 1280 under the hood, a large and crisp 120Hz display, and a great camera system. We also appreciate the flagship-level update commitment, as the A53 will get four years of Android updates.

Best of all, the handset is cheaper than its predecessor, coming in at $450 — the A52 went for $500. This puts it in direct competition with the likes of the Gooogle Pixel 5a that, for reference, will only get three years of Android updates.

Samsung A53 specs

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

We have plenty of OnePlus Nord devices, and they’re all phones with NFC, but there are reasons we recommend the OnePlus Nord 2 5G. This is the first OnePlus phone to use something other than a Qualcomm chipset. Instead, it takes advantage of the MediaTek Dimensity 1200, which can take performance to much higher levels than the mid-range Snapdragons can.

Alternatives: The best budget phones available

Aside from that, you get the usual OnePlus package: a clean UI and minimalist design. There’s also plenty of RAM, a decent camera, a pretty large battery, and a nice 90Hz AMOLED display. It also has Wi-Fi 6, which is nice considering the phone isn’t all that expensive.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G specs:

Oppo Find X5 Pro

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The Find X3 Pro offered a great design, and the newer Oppo Find X5 Pro takes a functional equation and improves upon it. It looks gorgeous, featuring a ceramic back that’s said to be twice stronger than glass. While there’s a camera bump, it blends in better than in most other handsets.

Specs are nothing to scoff at, offering a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8/12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery. It also sports a gorgeous 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s IP68-rated, and the triple-camera setup is outstanding. There’s obviously also NFC on board.

Our thoughts: Oppo Find X5 Pro review

One of the most interesting highlights is in the battery department. Not necessarily in terms of battery size (which is excellent, too), but charging speeds are impressive. This phone supports 80W wired charging and a staggering 50W wireless charging speed. The problems to mention include the high price as well as limited availability in some markets.

Oppo Find X5 Pro specs:

Google Pixel 5a

Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

If you like Google devices but still find the Pixel 6 series a bit pricey, you may also want to take a look at the Google Pixel 5a. Google’s A-Series smartphones are known for optimizing for the maximum bang per buck. These value handsets keep prices very low, and the Pixel 5a is no exception.

Next: The best budget camera phones available

The $449 MSRP is very light on the wallet, at least compared to its competitors. Aside from 5G compatibility, the device comes with an OLED panel that won’t disappoint. There’s also a Snapdragon 765G and 6GB of RAM onboard. More than enough to keep casual users happy. And we can’t forget about the camera system. Like every other modern Pixel, this device can take images that compete with devices that cost more than twice the price.

This is certainly one of the best phones with NFC if you’re on a budget.

Google Pixel 5a specs:

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