Zenfone 11 Ultra NFC problems

[mark_coley]

Are there any known problems with NFC on the Zenfone 11 Ultra? In recent months it has been really hit and miss if it will work or not with payment cards or reading tags. I've had the phone since August 2024. On the London Underground it can take a good minute trying different positions and tapping the phone at different angles before it will work (much to the annoyance of those behind me in the queue!). Often there are several errors before the correct communication works. Some card readers (eg UK McDonald's self ordering systems) will not work at all. I've tried turning NFC off and on (no difference) and rebooting (no difference). Sometimes it works. A Libre Sensor 2 will rarely pick up - I've just discovered this today and compared to a Nokia 8.1 the Zenfone is hopeless. I've tried the testing app (.12345+= in the calculator) and to get it to work with a tag you have to hold it close (no case on the phone) and shake the phone and tag quite vigorously until it connects. Even then it often fails to read. Phone is perfect condition, no scratches or damage (thick case and screen protector since new). I'm just downloading data off it to my laptop then will do a factory reset. The problem predated Android 15. I've using the logging function and have an 80MB log file ready on my Google Drive...

[mark_coley]

Phone now reset. Absolutely no change to the behaviour. The NFC chip/transmitter/receiver is clearly not working properly, which explains the problems buying things using contactless payments, using the London Underground, and now using a Libre Sensor 2.

[mark_coley]

Support have suggested I return the phone, however in the UK a pop up appeared on the website saying a change in repair provider was taking place and there might be a delay. Any idea how long the phone might be away?

It's possible that this is a software issue. If the phone is moved rapidly with the tag next to it a connection is attempted, but often fails. The action of moving the phone rapidly makes it more likely to work. Is the NFC coil powered all the time or is it linked to the accelerometer, eg only powering up if a 'tap' gesture is being made? If so, could it be something is wrong with the interpretation of phone movement? The accelerometer works fine using testing apps. It could also be a loose connection I suppose and the energising field only triggers with movement but the movement to make it work doesn't need to be very fast. Nothing is loose inside.