AirDrop Vs. NFC
The following comparison table includes all the notable features of AirDrop vs. NFC.
Features | AirDrop | NFC |
---|---|---|
Compatible Devices | iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, and Mac. | Smartphones, payment devices, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, monitors, TVs, cameras, speakers, etc. |
Supported Formats | Photos, videos, audio files, GIFs, documents, contacts, links, notes, etc. | Text, Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) type object, Ultra-short RagTime Document (RTD), NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), and URLs. |
Connectivity Range | 9 meters or 30 feet | 0 to 5 cm |
Working Style | Uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth | Uses radio waves |
Transfer File Quality | No loss | No loss |
Transfer Speed | Up to 1GB per second | Up to 424 kbit/s |
Unique Feature | Proximity Sharing, NameDrop, SharePlay, and Transfer Over the Internet. | Fast transactions, Easy payment method, and fast pairing of devices. |
Data Privacy | Yes | Yes |
Near-field communication (NFC) is a revolutionary technology that has simplified payment methods and connecting two devices. A few years ago, NFC was used like AirDrop to transfer files, photos, and other media content between Android devices. Media file transferring through NFC was called Android Beam, and it is now replaced by Nearby Share. Nowadays, NFC is primarily used for contactless payments, automated functions, and pairing two devices.
AirDrop is completely different from the NFC. AirDrop is Apple’s file-sharing technology to quickly share files of all sizes and formats between Apple devices. Despite all the differences in working methods and use cases, we have compared some of the aspects of the NFC and Apple AirDrop if you are wondering which is best to share files.
Compatible Device – AirDrop Vs. NFC
AirDrop
- AirDrop is a built-in feature on Apple iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod touch.
- AirDrop works on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch, running on iOS 7 or later and on Macs running on MacOS X 10.11 or later.
- The AirDrop feature is not available on iPhone Gen 1, iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 2012 Mac Pro.
NFC
- All modern smartphones have NFC. You can find NFC on payment machines, smartwatches, tablets, TVs, cameras, and other electronic devices besides smartphones.
- All iPhones upward of iPhone 6S have built-in NFC.
Verdict: NFC is widely available on many types of devices, unlike AirDrop, which is available only on four types of Apple devices.
Supported File Formats – AirDrop Vs. NFC
AirDrop
- With AirDrop, you can wirelessly share photos, videos, audio files, GIFs, map locations, word documents, PDFs, contact cards, etc., between Apple devices.
- If you use AirDrop to share photos, the photo format will automatically convert into a HEIF format.
- You can use AirDrop to share apps, QR codes, stories, filters, and some special features of certain apps.
NFC
- You can transfer MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) type objects, ultra-short RagTime Documents (RTD), NFC Data Exchange Formats (NDEF), and URLs.
- Until January 2019, you could share photos, contact info, YouTube video URLs, and other data using Android Beam, which transfers data using NFC. Unfortunately, Android Beam has now been replaced by Nearby Share.
Verdict: AirDrop supports different file formats, unlike the NFC.
Connectivity Range – AirDrop Vs. NFC
AirDrop
- AirDrop has a working range of 9 meters or 30 feet. Exceeding this distance will result in AirDrop failing to transfer files.
NFC
- NFC only works in close range of 0-5 cms.
Verdict: AirDrop has more range than NFC to share files.
Setup Process of AirDrop and NFC
AirDrop
- To start file sharing, the AirDrop must be turned on.
- You must be signed in to your Apple ID on the respective Apple device to start sharing files.
- You can change your AirDrop name and AirDrop picture to something unique or funny.
NFC
- You must enable the NFC on your smartphone from the Settings.
- You must also enable NFC and contactless payments to make payments using NFC.
- NFC doesn’t require any user ID or login.
Verdict: Both AirDrop and NFC have similar and easy setup processes.
Working Style of AirDrop and NFC
AirDrop
- AirDrop works using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to start sharing files. On Mac, you can AirDrop files using the Finder app.
- Change the AirDrop Settings to Contact Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes to start sharing files.
- To share any file, click on the Share icon, select AirDrop, and click on the receiver device.
- The receiver Apple device can Accept or Decline to receive the file.
NFC
- With NFC enabled on your smartphone, simply touch or swipe on any NFC-compatible device to make a payment, share media content, or connect the devices with each other.
- Select any media file to send, click Share, and select NFC. Now, keep the devices together back to back to start sharing the file.
Verdict: The AirDrop is way easier to share files compared to NFC.
Transferred File Quality of AirDrop Vs. NFC
AirDrop
- AirDropped files have no quality loss. In fact, you get the original image with the Metadata of the picture when transferred using AirDrop.
- If you send a picture or video to an older iPhone or iPad, there might be a slight loss in quality.
NFC
- There is no drop in the quality of media content transferred through NFC.
Verdict: Both AirDrop and NFC do not compromise on the quality of the image.
User Interface of AirDrop Vs. NFC
AirDrop
- AirDrop doesn’t have an interface, app, or settings page on any Apple device.
- The only interface you see of AirDrop is when you click Share and select AirDrop.
- In this interface, you get to see the available receiver device.
- When you send the files to a receiver, they get a pop-up notification to preview and accept the files.
NFC
- NFC doesn’t have a separate interface. The only NFC-related interface is on the Settings of your smartphone, where you can tweak your NFC settings.
Verdict: Neither AirDrop nor NFC has an interface. So, it is a draw here.
Transfer Speed and Limitations of AirDrop Vs. NFC
AirDrop
- There are no file size limitations for AirDrop. So, you can use AirDrop to send larger files without any worries.
- AirDrop transfer speed can go up to 1 GB per second if you use a fast Wi-Fi connection.
NFC
- Large files cannot be sent using NFC now.
- NFC transfer speeds are up to 424 kbit/s, which is enough to make payments.
Verdict: AirDrop is way more faster than NFC and can transfer larger files without any hiccups.
Unique Features of AirDrop and NFC
AirDrop
- Here are some of the special features that are related to AirDrop. You must update your iPhone to iOS 17 to access these features.
- Proximity Sharing: Bring the receiver and sender iPhones together to share files.
- Out of Range: If the devices move out of the AirDrop range during a transfer, you can use cellular data to complete the file transfer.
- NameDrop: You can share your contact details via AirDrop with nearby Apple devices.
NFC
- Using NFC tags or built-in NFC, you can quickly pair to devices, unlock a door, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and do many other things quickly.
- NFC is the most fastest and secure way to complete a transaction.
Verdict: AirDrop surely has better features than NFC.
Data Privacy of AirDrop and Bluetooth
AirDrop
- AirDrop uses end-to-end encryption for data privacy and security. End-to-end encryption prevents the receivers from knowing your personal details like name, contact number, or Apple ID.
- AirDrop doesn’t store or record any data you share.
NFC
- NFC is two-way encrypted so that your payment details or credit card numbers are not shared with anyone.
Verdict: Both AirDrop and NFC are end-to-end encrypted, and both are equally secure.
Final Verdict
Since NFC is primarily used for making payments, creating automation, and pairing devices, it is no longer considered competition for the AirDrop. Also, AirDrop has advanced to become the best file-sharing technology for transferring large files quickly.