Do I really need... NFC

What does it do?

An NFC (near-field communication) chip allows a device to send and receive information wirelessly without the pairing process required by other digital radio technologies, such as Bluetooth or Wi-fi.

Why would I want it?

If your phone has an NFC chip, you can let other devices communicate with it just by holding it close to them. This allows faster connection to NFCequipped accessories such as wireless speakers. More interestingly, it enables contactless payments. If your bank supports Apple Pay, Android Pay (pictured) or Samsung Pay, you can register your credit or debit cards with the payment app on your phone, then use it Oneplusat cash sellstills. This both only models works Sim-freeon phones for withuse ona fingerprintany UK nt network.reader, which you use to activate the

payment.

What’s the catch?

You still have to get your phone out and hold it next to the card reader, so it only helps if you tend to have your phone to hand all the time, or prefer not to carry a wallet. Some smart watches also have an NFC chip.

So can I do without it?

If your phone doesn’t have NFC and your bank card isn’t contactless, you can buy an NFC accessory such as bpay’s fob (£18, www.snipca.com/24817, pictured), which is operated by Barclaycard (see www.snipca. com/ 24813). This doesn’t require a smartphone, but links to an account you can top up from any bank or credit card. The catch is that if you lose it, someone else could use it – not the case with NFC phones, which require your fingerprint.