“Last week, Chinese repair firm GeekBar shared a claimed schematic for the iPhone 6 showing what was claimed to be the pinning diagram for the device’s rumored near field communications (NFC) chip,” Eric Slivka reports for MacRumors. “The part addressed on the schematic, PN65V, was thought to be a version of NXP’s PN65 NFC package currently used in several Android devices.”
“The leak is one of several schematics shared by GeekBar over the past week and a half, and while some of the components have been misidentified, it is looking increasingly likely that the schematics themselves are legitimate,” Slivka reports. “MacRumors forum member chrmjenkins has pointed us toward a document showing the package used by NXP for its PN65, noting that it measures 5 mm x 5 mm with 32 terminals for connectivity. In examining the bare logic boards from the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models, chrmjenkins believes he has spotted where that chip will be located.”
Read more, and see the logic board photos, in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Schematic suggests NFC chip in ‘iPhone 6,’ amount of RAM remains unknown – August 18, 2014
Apple’s iPhone 6 line will sport new A8 chip, faster Wi-Fi, improved Touch ID, and NFC – August 6, 2014
NFC, wireless charging, improved LTE rumored for Apple’s ‘iPhone 6′ – June 9, 2014
Apple patent reveals new iPhone antenna that adds NFC – May 22, 2014
There’s a lot of assumptions and guesses just in the portion of the story posted above. I still don’t see NFC as something Apple is wanting to add.
Maybe read the actual article and not just the blurb? It contains schematics for the NXP chip itself and all the wiring and solder points match perfectly. If this isn’t the NXP branded NFC chip then another manufacture made another chip designed to the exact dimensions, electrical pathways, and solder points as the NFC chip in question…
Who is to say the “schematics” is authentic? It’s BS.
Maybe, and I don’t think Apple did want to go the NFC route. However it is possible that on this one their hand has been twisted somewhat by low level payment options that will possibly never go a more sophisticated route at least in the foreseeable future.
I don’t know the situation in the States but certainly here the whole transport system in London and no doubt elsewhere is becoming NFC payment only on buses and massively convenient for trains as its all integrated. I simply cannot see in the present atmosphere of financial restraint, especially with the increase in fairs, that those costly networks are going to re invest in iBeacon based systems even when they do become a serious option and can be widely used which isn’t the case at present anyway. If Android phones can be used to pay for public transport, as credit cards can now already, then it isn’t rocket science to imagine your average commuter, or regular user or visiter seeing that convenience as extremely useful if only for emergencies for some.
Equally out side of Western Nations one can understand that they will likely go the NFC route rather than commiting to a better but more complex (and less universal standard) than iBeacon based especially where further Western and/or capitalist and consumer oriented intrusions into everyday life are feared, Indeed there have been stories that Tel Coms from these regions have specifically requested it.
So I have come round to thinking that Apple may well be biting the bullet on this one and will incorporate it to work no doubt as seamlessly a possible along side of its wifi solution, maybe only for certain markets for now. I doubt that it would be heavily promoted unless it is so seamless with the overall wifi solution that that the whole idea of it even being NFC will be lost on most people as indeed it is with us when using our Oyster (for transport) for example.
There is a huge market for NFC enabled payment terminals to improve upon Apple’s ecosystem. This includes typical credit credit readers most popular in Europe but NFC is also used for access control in many offices and high-rise apartment buildings not to forget NFC is also used by systems such as London Underground for payment. Including NFC + the finger print service enabled in iOS 8 means developers can allow iPhone to be used for payment system as well as access to restricted areas improving upon existing single form authentication (i.e. only the NFC card/dongle) where a user would need to have the iPhone and the authorized person’s finger (i.e. 2 factor authentication).
Rumors of Apple getting into payment system has become louder of late, iOS 8 allowing 4rd parties to use finger print sensor opens the door for payment system so an NFC chip would make the iPhone very unique. None of the droid crap have a reliable finger print sensor (sorry reliable working finger print sensor) thereby creating another unique proposition for Apple iPhone.
iPhone with NFC will also be a huge success in the enterprise where NFC is used for access to buildings/floors, rooms, etc… Many firm even have NFC readers for access to secure computers and for easy login. This will be a huge help for Apple/IBM deal in the enterprise.
Adding it has no down side and not having it has no down side.
As you say, it has no downside as a feature; either you ignore it, or it becomes a really useful extra utility.
In my case, I have an Oyster Card, TfL’s (Transport for London), payment card for use all over the city, on buses, the Underground, surface rail, DLR, (Docklands Light Railway), and being able to have their phone app allow me to travel all over the city, without needing their card would be a great advantage.
Especially as increasing use of NFC bank payment cards is already causing issues; notices on Tube access gates warns travellers to keep their Oyster Card separate from bank cards because interference causes the cards to fail to read, causing delays.
Other UK cities are also talking about the introduction of similar systems, so being able to open an app for a particular city’s transport system on a phone, without needing to have to sign up for one in advance would make life much easier for locals, business travellers and tourists.
Absolutely, so like it or not its becoming extremely useful and you are right having a flexible option where an app can replace a specific and point restricted card would be extremely beneficial. If NFC and iBeacon can effectively work seamlessly then it would simply act as an extension of that technology as far as the public are concerned the payment/authentication interface being the ‘branding’ front end as far as the public sees it and making that ‘brand’ much more universal. Also in terms of the iWatch this would be an integral part of its capabilities to make entry and payment in all manner of ways and places something so much better than hunting around for cards, money or identification.
“he believes he has spotted where the chip will be located.” more and more of these stories sound like a bigfoot sighting with a few words changed.
I’d like to see it even if it was initially just for use in Japan. Do I need it? I only have one other device that NFC touch-enabled. I’m really waiting to get rid of my NYC Metrocard and hopefully the NYCMTA will eventually be replacing those nasty Metrocards with NFC-equipped turnstiles.
What another MDN flop! NFC was ridiculed to no end as were larger iPhones etc….
Yeah we don’t see those iCals do we. I especially like throne about the iPhone won’t be like the Mac and thus won’t have Mac like market share. Its now changed to market share doesn’t matter, which is much more realistic.
I’m wondering what the strategy is with these nonsensical rumors — to position faux pundits so they can scream bloody murder when the iPhone appears without NFC (again) ??
NFC: Gawd I hope not. It’s a decrepit technology. Apple has already surpassed it.
It will only take off if NFC comes to the US. It doesn’t matter anywhere else. Sorry Brit blokes.
You are so wrong, Apple is increasingly reliant on foreign sales and Europe is a bigger trading area than the US, while the main impetus for this will be Asia which dwarfs the US even now and will increasingly do so in Apples over time. Thankfully Apple isn’t as inward looking as many of its buyers on that side of the pond even if it has been later than it should be at times.