Functional Difference Between NFC Type-1 Tag 2 Tag 3 Tag 4 Tag

Introduction: NFC Tag Varieties


In the milieu of NFC technology, tags play an integral role across a diverse span of applications encompassing banking, transportation, identity verification, and ticketing. Each NFC tag type—from the Type-1 to Type-5—carries distinct characteristics tailored for specific use cases. Herein below, we delve into an in-depth comparison of these tag types based on their standards, memory capacities, speed, data access, collision mechanisms, and pricing.

Diversity in NFC Tags

 

NFC Type-1 Tag Characteristics

 

  • Standard: ISO-14443A
  • Memory Size: 96 bytes, expandable
  • Speed: 106 Kbps
  • Data Access: Flexible, with both read/write and read-only options
  • Collision Mechanism: Lacks specific data collision protection features.
  • Compliant Products: Innovision Topaz variants
  • Pricing: Economical

 

NFC Type-2 Tag Features

 

  • Standard: ISO-14443A
  • Memory Size: Ranges from 48 bytes to 144 bytes
  • Speed: 106 Kbps
  • Data Access: Modifiable with read/write permissions, or secured as read-only
  • Collision Mechanism: Incorporated anti-collision techniques
  • Compliant Products: NXP’s Mifare Ultralight series
  • Pricing: Cost-effective

 

NFC Type-3 Tag Specification

 

  • Standard: Aligned with ISO-18092 and JIS-X-6319-4
  • Memory Size: From 1 KB to 9 KB
  • Speed: Dual speed options at 212 or 424 Kbps
  • Data Access: Presented as either rewritable or read-only
  • Collision Mechanism: Anti-collision capabilities fully supported
  • Compliant Products: Sony FeliCa
  • Pricing: Positioned at the higher end

 

NFC Type-4 Tag Details

 

  • Standard: An extension of the ISO-14443A standard with specific configurations like NXP DESFire
  • Memory Size: Availability in either 4 KB or 32 KB
  • Speed: Multi-tiered speed choices from 106 to 424 Kbps
  • Data Access: Configurable for read/write and read-only usage
  • Collision Mechanism: Advanced anti-collision facilitation
  • Compliant Products: NXP DESFire, SmartMX-JCOP series
  • Pricing: Ranges from moderate to premium levels

 

NFC Type-5 Tag Insights (Mifare Classic Tag)

 

  • Standard: A synergy of ISO-14443A and Mifare’s proprietary MF1 IC S50 standards
  • Memory Size: Diverse, with 192 bytes, 768 bytes, and 3584 bytes variants
  • Speed: Consistently at 106 Kbps
  • Data Access: Supports read/write capabilities and read-only security
  • Collision Mechanism: Enhanced with anti-collision support
  • Compliant Products: Renowned for the NXP Mifare Classic lineup including 1K, 4K, and Mini formats
  • Pricing: Generally low, offering economic solutions

 

Conclusion: Tailoring NFC Tag Selection


When selecting an NFC tag, comprehending this array of specifications is vital—the choice of tag directly impacts the efficiency and security of operations within the intended application domain. By assessing each type’s functionalities, stakeholders can align NFC solutions with their tactical and strategic objectives.

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