Non-cash payments are gradually replacing cash payments. “Cash” in circulation is becoming less and less. But even plastic cards are not the limit of convenience. Mobile payments are becoming an increasingly popular way to conduct transactions. Thanks to the Google Pay / Apple Pay / Samsung Pay + applications and the presence of an NFC module on smartphones, paying for purchases and services is now more convenient and safer than ever.
To find out which phones support NFC, how to pay by phone, which inexpensive smartphones with NFC are best to consider purchasing, read the information from this article and our rating of the top 12 models.
BQ 5045L Wallet
The model of the Russian brand BQ 5045L Wallet is the most inexpensive smartphone with NFC that we were able to find on Yandex.Market. Its price starts at 4,600 rubles, which is quite a bit for a device that supports contactless payments. Otherwise, this is an ordinary budget device with low power and a small amount of memory (1/16 GB), which is enough to run the lightweight Android 10 operating system and a couple of running applications.
The screen is small, only 4.95 inches diagonally. And this can be considered an advantage - for example, such a gadget will be comfortable for a child to hold in his hands. The screen resolution is modest, 960x480 pixels, the cameras are also not very cool: the main one is 5 megapixels and the front one is 2 megapixels. But the price fully justifies such poor equipment.
- Smartphones and tablets
Review of the BQ 6645L Element smartphone: a modern budget phone
Function for contactless payments
The NFC function works in P2P modes. In a few years, similar modules will be widely used in various areas of customer service:
- purchasing tickets;
- purchasing products and services;
- identification of individuals;
- implementation of monetary transactions.
Function for contactless payments
There are only two types of functioning:
- Active. Fields are created by the initiator and target element by their interaction with each other. While waiting for data to be received, the RF field does not operate. The device is powered by a charger.
- Passive. The initiator creates a carrier field, the target block modulates the electromagnetic field and the functional elements are very miniature and compactly placed. In the smartphones themselves, the microchip is attached to the inside of the cover, its location is marked with marks or a marker. The new technology has become popular.
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Last year, corporations from the Middle Kingdom joined the race for popular models from famous companies:
- Vivo;
- Oppo;
- Realme.
In the coming years, NFC technology will conquer the world and will be present in every corner of every country.
Video - Setting up contactless payment: enabling NFC, linking the card to Google Pay
ZTE Blade A3 (2020) NFC
There are many smartphone users who are fundamentally dissatisfied with Russian manufacturers. Although they are Russian in name only, all products are still produced in China. So why not immediately take a device from a Chinese brand? ZTE Blade A3 (2020) NFC is one of the most modest options with NFC that can be bought in Russia with a proprietary guarantee. The price of the gadget starts at 4,900 rubles.
Like all budget smartphones, this model lacks stars from the sky: 1/32 GB of memory, 8 MP camera, low-power Unisoc SC9832E processor. A 2600 mAh battery with a 5.45-inch screen will last no more than a day. However, the device still received a lot of positive reviews - largely due to support for 4G, NFC and low price.
TECNO Spark 7
Having crossed the border of 5,000 rubles, we finally see more or less decent smartphones that will suit unassuming users. One of them is TECNO Spark 7. What’s good about it (except NFC, of course): firstly, the device has a large 6.5-inch display, which will be convenient for watching movies. The resolution, however, is low - only 1600x720 pixels. Secondly, the manufacturer did not skimp on a good battery: a 5000 mAh battery is installed here.
Although the memory capacity is not so large (2/32 GB), the smartphone works with full Android 11. In short, if you are not a gamer, but use the gadget for work, this option is quite suitable.
Redmi 9C
Redmi 9C is the most affordable Xiaomi smartphone with NFC, which can be bought for an average of 9,000 rubles. It’s difficult to find any shortcomings at this price, except perhaps the outdated microUSB connector for charging. The gadget is equipped with 2/32 GB of memory with the ability to install microSD up to 512 GB - there is also a version with 3/64 GB.
There is a dual camera of 13+2 megapixels and a large screen with a diagonal of 6.53 inches and a resolution of 1600x720 pixels. The processor is quite powerful and suitable for running modern games - MediaTek Helio G35. The battery life is good: a battery with a capacity of 5000 will provide at least a day or two of work.
Final rating table
| Place | Name | Ya.Market |
| #1 | Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro | Buy |
| #2 | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Buy |
| #3 | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Buy |
| #4 | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Buy |
| #5 | Xiaomi Redmi 9 | Buy |
| #6 | Realme 8 | Buy |
| #7 | Realme C21 | Buy |
| #8 | Xiaomi POCO X3 | Buy |
| #9 | Vivo Y31 | Buy |
| #10 | Nokia G20 | Buy |
Doogee N30
By paying a little more, you can buy the Doogee N30 smartphone - this brand is now officially represented in Russia. True, there are not many service centers yet, and the warranty only applies to devices purchased from Doogee partners. But this is already good - previously you had to order these gadgets through AliExpress at your own peril and risk. The N30 supports 4G networks and Bluetooth 5.0, runs on Android 10 and has a large 6.5-inch display with an integrated front camera (8 MP). There are generally 4 main cameras here (16+8+2+2 megapixels), which is very good considering the price of the device is about 10,000 rubles. We also note a decent amount of memory 4/128 GB - such a smartphone can be safely used for installing heavy games and downloading videos.
What is Nokia G11 for?
The Nokia G11 smartphone is a simplified version of the Nokia G21. The devices are very similar in appearance and have a long list of identical parameters.
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Safety
In particular, the Nokia G11 uses exactly the same screen, processor, battery and front camera as the G21. A USB-C charging port is also present, as is a microSD slot.
Nokia G11 tries to be similar to the older model
The differences lie primarily in the amount of memory, which has the biggest impact on the price difference. Also, the Nokia G11 does not have a main 50-megapixel sensor - it was replaced with a 13-megapixel one.
The new Nokia all-in-one PCs weigh 190 grams each and are 8.55 mm thick. Inside they are GPS and GLONASS receivers, Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11ac modules. Smartphone cases are made of polycarbonate.
ZTE Blade 20 Smart
In the “from 10,000 rubles” range, the choice of smartphones with an NFC module is much higher - perhaps in this category you can find gadgets from all well-known brands, except perhaps Apple. For example, ZTE Blade 20 Smart costs about 12,000 rubles and can offer even more than the possibility of contactless payment. There is an almost 6.5-inch screen, a triple camera, and as much as 128 GB of storage - a record amount for an affordable smartphone.
The smartphone also has a fingerprint sensor, and uses modern USB-C for charging. The battery is quite large - 5000 mAh. If you like bright gadgets, you will definitely like this model - you can choose not only black, but also green or blue body options.
How to make a payment using NFC? Instructions
There's nothing complicated about it. But first you need to perform several preparatory operations:
- Download from the Google Pay or Samsung Pay app store (we do not consider Apple Pay, since these smartphones do not belong to the budget category).
- Register a fingerprint in the application, or create a password/PIN code.
- Link your bank card to the application. To do this, you need to take a photo of the card and additionally provide details. Multiple card registrations are allowed.
Now you can pay for goods and services using your phone wherever there is a terminal.
To make contactless payments in stores, do the following:
- Activate NFC in the notification panel.
- Unlock your smartphone (if it is currently locked and NFC is enabled).
- Bring the back of your smartphone to the terminal.
- Confirm the action with your fingerprint, pattern or password.
realme C15
realme C15 is a truly modern smartphone with NFC, relevant in 2022. The model will cost an average of 12,000 rubles and offers decent characteristics.
It has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory, as well as a fast MediaTek Helio G35 processor. For taking photos and videos, there is a quad camera with 13+8+2+2 MP sensors. The triple slot can accommodate two SIM cards and a microSD memory card up to 512 GB. The battery is powerful, 6000 mAh, so a full charge will last for a day or two of work, even with active use of the smartphone. 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 1600x720 pixels. It looks very standard: the front camera is fitted into a drop-shaped notch.
Samsung Galaxy M11
If you are ready to spend about 18,000 rubles on the purchase of a smartphone, pay attention to the Galaxy M21 model with support for contactless payments and a large battery. And if you want to save money, you can take a simpler option - the Galaxy M11 will cost 12,000 rubles.
The smartphone is equipped with a large 6.4-inch screen and a 6000 mAh battery that will allow it to work for up to two days without recharging. Since this is no longer an affordable budget phone, but quite a middle-class device, its memory capacity is appropriate - 4/64 GB, expandable. And also - as many as 4 cameras, including the triple main one and the front camera. We have already reviewed this smartphone - in it you can find out all the details about the gadget and see how the Galaxy M21 camera takes pictures.
Is it safe to pay by phone?
Even with the original application, like any decision related to our data and money, the one being discussed may raise security issues. The very rapid growth in popularity of contactless payments shows that Russians have already learned about it. At the same time, using a smartphone for payments is considered equally, and sometimes even more, safe.
In addition to encryption , Apple, Google and banks remind you that merchants don't receive card details and the virtual number is useless outside of the app . If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remotely delete the card paired with it and always have access to a quick view of all transactions.
HUAWEI P30 lite
Light models of flagship lines always have a good price-quality ratio. And if the Huawei P30, which was at the peak of popularity in 2022, will cost you a tidy sum, then the P30 Lite is already sold for an average of 19,000 rubles. The cameras here are not as cool as those in the older model, but they are still good - much better than in many budget phones. It uses three main modules with a resolution of 28+8+2 megapixels and a front camera with a record 32 megapixels.
The smartphone works with Google services (it was released before the heyday of sanctions) and is equipped with a decent amount of memory of 4/128 GB. The eight-core HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor handles smooth system operation and multitasking well - you can even play popular games like Tanks at comfortable settings.
By the way, a little more useful information about smartphones:
- Which Honor is better to buy: choose a model for any budget
- Rating of mobile processors: from flagship to budget
