Apple’s recently launched iPads have been spotted with NFC chip that is already seen on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The chip’s main use in the iPhones is for the Apple Pay service.
A latest report from 9to5Mac is claiming that the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 might be used as a Secure Element for Apple Pay’s in app purchases. Apple Pay, the latest mobile wallet from Apple, is available for in-app purchases on the Touch ID-equipped iPad Air 2. However,the device is not capable of making contactless payments at NFC terminals like the new iPhones.
Meanwhile, iLounge report states that Apple has not certified NFC functionality for iPad Air 2 with the FCC. This further suggests that the NFC chip is likely used only as a Secure Element. Apple Pay is the mobile payment service that allows people to store certain credit cards inside of Passbook and use the NFC chip and TouchID fingerprint reader to send that information to capable terminals.