Which Smartphones Come With RFID Tracking Tags?

Smartphones don't come with RFID tags for tracking. They utilize Near Field Communication (NFC), a form of radio frequency identification that allows a phone to read passive high-frequency (HF) tags based on the NFC specification. An NFC reader also has an "emulation mode" enabling it to act like a tag. So you could swipe a reader at a point-of-sale device to pay for something using NFC technology.

There are a number of phones currently on the market with NFC readers built into their handset. These include:

• Acer E320 Liquid Express


• BlackBerry Bold 9900


• BlackBerry Bold 9930


• BlackBerry Curve 9350


• BlackBerry Curve 9360


• BlackBerry Curve 9370


• Google Nexus S


• LG T530


• Nokia 600


• Nokia 603


• Nokia 700


• Nokia 701


• Nokia C7


• Nokia N9


• Samsung Galaxy Nexus


• Samsung Galaxy S II


• Samsung S5230 NFC


• Samsung S5260 NFC


• Samsung Wave 578


• Sonim XP1301 Core NFC

Motorola's Droid Razr is also reported to feature NFC capabilities, though that model has not been marketed as an NFC-enabled handset. There are other models sold by smaller manufacturers, as well as some being market-tested in specific countries. In a couple of years, all phones will likely incorporate NFC technology.

Incidentally, we will offer an NFC Workshop at the RFID Journal LIVE! 2012 conference and exhibition that will focus on Near Field Communication applications.