NFC Release 15 is comprised of Specification Release 15 and Certification Release 15. The former are the technical standards to implement NFC capability in products, and the latter, the testing program to certify compliance to these standards. To align with NFC Release 15, users of newer generations of NFC enabled devices in reader mode will experience seamless connection and faster transaction. Increasing the operating volume across all NFC enabled devices – especially those that have a smaller form factor – while ensuring compatibility with ISO/IEC 14443, has been technically complex to achieve. The engineers working on the advancement had to be mindful of product design requirements, delicately managing a balance between improved performance and maintaining the antenna size. This thorough investigation has led to a 4x greater operating volume – extending the current range of 0.5cm to 2cm. Consumers stand to gain the most. A larger more stable operating volume makes the connection faster and more consistent and reduces occasions where consumers may need to tap or align devices more than once. There are many markets that will also benefit from this enhancement. For example, optimizing NFC usability within automotive; increasing read range to enable quicker throughput volumes within sectors such as public transport and transit; as well as enabling NFC to be used in new environments where connection points need to be at a greater distance. NFC is being integrated into increasingly compact devices that are expected to handle more complex, sensitive interactions – such as Tap to Mobile solutions that allow smartphones to accept payments, or Multi-Purpose Tap use cases where a single tap unlocks multiple functions. These applications demand higher reliability and a broader operating range to succeed.