Are you looking to purchase an NFC tag? Perhaps you’re wondering how different the many NFC tag types in the market are.
In this article, we take a closer look at the three most popular types of NFC tags: NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216.
What is Ntag?
Ntag is a type of Near Field Communication (NFC) tag developed by NXP Semiconductors. They are largely used for NFC applications such as contactless payment, data exchange, and connecting NFC-enabled devices.
The Ntag family is regulated by international standards such as ISO, making them some of the most widely used NFC tags on the market. They comply with NFC Forums Type 2 & Type 4 specifications and ISO 14443A.
This compliance ensures interoperability between devices and tags. For example, you can use an Ntag from manufacturer X with an NFC reader from manufacturer Y without experiencing any compatibility issues.
How does Ntag Work?
Ntags uses the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to communicate with other NFC-enabled devices. This technology uses an electromagnetic field to transfer data between two devices close together (typically within 4 inches).
Ntags contain a small chip with memory that can store information. This information can be read and written to by NFC-enabled devices.
They are several types of Ntags that you can purchase depending on your needs. We will focus on the three most popular types of Ntags: NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216.
What’s the Difference between Ntag213, Ntag215, and Ntag216?
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is Ntag?” let’s look at the three most popular types of Ntags on the market: NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216.
- NTAG213
Ntag213 is one of the most popular types of Ntags. It is used in several NFC applications such as home automation and data exchange. However, this tag is not ideal to use with portable Amiibos.
The Ntag213 variant has a memory of 144 bytes, which is enough to store simple NDEF messages. They are often used in applications where a small amount of data needs to be stored, such as a URL or contact information.
- NTAG215
Ntag215 is one of the newest types of Ntags and is slowly becoming the new standard. It was developed to address some of the limitations of the NTAG213, such as the small memory size.
It has a memory of 504 bytes, which is enough to store more complex NDEF messages. This makes it a good choice for applications where you need to store more data, such as loyalty cards or tickets.
Another advantage of the NTAG215 is that it is fully compatible with all NFC-enabled devices. This includes smartphones, tablets, and laptops. You can also use it to create your own amiibo cards.
- NTAG 216
Ntag216 is a more advanced chip ideal for high-memory applications. It has a memory size of up to 888 bytes, enough to store lots of data. You can store large NDEF messages, such as vCards, payment cards, or smart cards.
It has a slightly higher write endurance than the NTAG215, which means you can overwrite the data on the tag more times before it starts to degrade.
Ntag216 chips also have a higher read range than other types of Ntags. This is because they have a stronger antenna.
Additionally, this tag has an anti-collision feature that allows you to read multiple tags simultaneously. This is useful for applications where there are many tags nearby, such as a trade show or concert.
It is also the most expensive type of Ntag. Fortunately, it has high durability and can withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures and high humidity.
Similarities of Ntag213, Ntag215, and Ntag216?
The three NTAG types have several similarities. For one, they are all based on the ISO/IEC 14443 standard, which defines how NFC devices communicate with each other. They are also compliant with Type 2 & Type 4 NFC Forum regulations.
This means that they can be used in any NFC application. They also have the same dimensions and can be placed on products or printed on labels. Additionally, all NTAG types can be read and written to by any NFC-enabled device. This includes smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Other similarities of these tags include:
- Counter ASCII Mirroring. These features help to prevent data corruption. It allows you to detect counterfeit tags and prevent accidental overwrites.
- Password Protection. This feature allows you to protect your data with a 32-bit password. This prevents unauthorized access to your tag’s information.
- Similar Operating Frequency. All the NTAG tags have a similar operating frequency of 13.56 MHz. They are compatible with all HF RFID readers. Additionally, they have a similar read distance of approximately 10 centimeters.
- Chip Size. The NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 all have a standard size. They come in a thickness of 75 µm / 120 µm. Their thin nature ensures that they can be placed on products or labels without adding bulk.
- 50 pF Input Capacitance. These tags have a similar input capacitance, which is the ability to store electrical energy.
- Data Transmission. The tags have a similar data transmission speed of 106 Kbit/s. This is the rate at which the tags can send and receive data.
- Data Retention. All three Ntags can retain data for up to 10 years. As such, you can be sure that your data will be stored for a long time without getting lost.
- Encryption Not Supported. These tags do not have built-in encryption features. However, you can encrypt the data before writing it to the tag.
Overall, NTAGs have many similarities. They are all based on the same standards, have a similar operating frequency, and can be read by any NFC-enabled device.
However, they also have some key differences that make them better suited for different applications as shown below:
Differences between Ntag213, Ntag215, and Ntag216?
- Memory Size. The NTAG213 has a memory size of 144 bytes, the NTAG215 has a memory size of 540 bytes, and the NTAG216 has a memory size of 888 bytes. This means that the NTAG216 can store nearly twice as much data as the NTAG215, and five times more data than the NTAG213.
- Write Endurance. The NTAG213 has a write endurance of 100,000 cycles while the others have relatively better endurances. This means that you can overwrite the data on an NTAG216 chip more times than on an NTAG213 or NTAG215 chip before it starts to degrade. However, the differences are minimal and may sometimes be considered insignificant.
- URL & Text Length. The NTAG213 has a maximum URL& text length of approximately 132 characters. NTAG215 has a maximum URL & text length of approximately 490 characters. The NTAG216 has a maximum URL & text length of approximately 852 characters.
Overall, the differences among NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 are minimal. The key difference is the storage capacity with NTAG216 having the most room for data storage.
However, all three tags are compatible with each other and can be used in any NFC application.Additionally, the tags can work well with both Android and Apple devices as long as the devices have NFC capabilities.
What are the Applications of Ntag213, Ntag215, and Ntag216?
NTAG 213 Uses
- Marketing & Advertising. You can use this tag to store information such as product promotions, loyalty programs, and contactless payments. It is easier to apply due to its small size.
- Event Tickets. You can use NTAG213 to store event tickets. This includes concert tickets, movie tickets, and theater tickets.
- Smartphones & Tablets. You can store data such as contacts, bookmarks, and apps on your NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet.
- GS1 EPC/RFID. This tag is used in GS1 EPC/RFID applications. It is ideal for logistics and supply chain management.
- Bluetooth Pairing. You can use this tag to pair your NFC-enabled device with a Bluetooth device such as headphones, speakers, and keyboards.
NTAG 215 Uses
- Long Tracking URLs. You can use these tags to store long tracking URLs. These are often used in marketing and advertising applications.
- Customer Relationship Management. You can use this tag to store customer information such as contact details and purchase history. This way, you will be able to keep track of your customers easily.
- Vouchers. You can use this tag to store vouchers. This includes both digital and physical vouchers.
- Object Identification. You can use this tag to track and identify objects. This is often applicable in managing supply chain in large organizations.
NTAG 216 Uses
- Data Storage. The NTAG216 provides 888 bytes of memory. This is the largest amount of memory available in an NFC tag. As a result, it is ideal for storing large amounts of data.
- Application Launcher. You can use this tag to launch apps on your NFC-enabled device. This is especially useful if you have a lot of apps that you want to launch quickly.
- V-Cards. You can use this tag to store virtual business cards. This is a convenient way to exchange contact information with others.
- Object Identification. You can use this tag to store information about an object. This includes the object’s name, price, and history. This way, the tags will enable you to keep track of your belongings.
These are just some of the common applications of NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 NFC tags.
There are many other potential applications for these tags. It depends on your imagination and creativity.
