NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K

NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K

NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K NFC Smart Card – High Security Contactless Smart Card for Access Control, Industrial for Access Management, Loyalty, Smart Lock, Transport Ticketing & Smart City Applications

The NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K is a next-generation contactless NFC smart card engineered for highly secure, multi-application environments. Built on globally recognized open standards, the card is fully compliant with ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, ISO/IEC 7816-4, and NFC Forum Type 4 Tag specifications, making it an ideal solution for modern smart city, transportation, identity management, access control, and cashless payment systems.

NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K Featuring 4KB EEPROM memory, advanced AES-128, 2K3DES, and 3K3DES encryption, and Common Criteria EAL5+ certification, the MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K delivers industry-leading security, privacy protection, and transaction integrity. The card supports secure mobile integration through MIFARE 2GO, SUN (Secure Unique NFC), and advanced anti-cloning mechanisms, ensuring reliable performance for enterprise and government deployments worldwide.

NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K NFC Smart Card | Secure Contactless Smart Card for Applications for Consumer Closed loop payments, Access Control & Ticketing

Data sheet

Parameter	Specification
Product Type	NFC Card
Chip	MIFARE DESFire EV3
Standard	ISO/IEC 14443 Type A + ISO/IEC 7816
NFC Forum	Type 4
Compatibility	All NFC-enabled devices
Works With	NFC Tools for Android and iOS
Total Memory	4 kBytes
UID Size	7 bytes
Encryption	Single DES, 2KTDEA, 3KTDEA, AES128
Number of Applications	No limit
Data Transfer	106 kbit/s, 212 kbit/s, 424 kbit/s, 848 kbit/s
Data Retention	25 years
Write Endurance	1,000,000 cycles
Operating Frequency	13.56 MHz
Operating Distance	Up to 10 cm
Operating Temperature	-25°C to 85°C
Shape	Rounded rectangle
Color	White
Materials	PVC
Dimensions	85.5 mm × 54 mm
Weight	6 g
On-Metal	No

Key Benefits of NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K

• Supports smart city and digital identity applications
• Advanced AES-128 hardware encryption
• Common Criteria EAL5+ certified security
• Supports ISO/IEC 14443 Type A and ISO/IEC 7816-4
• NFC Forum Type 4 compliant
• Multi-application architecture
• Secure Unique NFC (SUN) technology
• Transaction MAC protection
• Relay attack and man-in-the-middle attack protection
• Fast data transfer up to 848 kbit/s
• 25-year data retention
• 1,000,000 write cycles endurance
• Compatible with Android and iOS NFC devices

Product Details

Advanced Security Features

The NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K incorporates multiple layers of security to protect sensitive data and transactions:

• Common Criteria EAL5+ certified hardware and software
• AES-128, DES, 2K3DES, and 3K3DES cryptography
• Mutual three-pass authentication
• ISO/IEC 7816-4 authentication support
• Transaction MAC verification
• Secure messaging with SUN technology
• Encrypted RF communication channel
• Random ID option for enhanced privacy
• Unique 7-byte UID
• Hardware tamper detection sensors
• Secure file system architecture
• Originality Check for genuine NXP chip verification
• Proximity Check protection against relay attacks
• Advanced key management with up to 14 keys per application

Multi-Application Architecture

The NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K platform enables a single card to support multiple independent applications simultaneously:

• Flexible file system architecture
• Up to 32 files per application
• Standard Data Files
• Backup Data Files
• Value Files
• Linear Record Files
• Cyclic Record Files
• Transaction MAC Files
• Delegated Application Management (DAM)
• Memory reuse functionality
• Virtual Card Architecture (VCA)

This flexibility makes the card ideal for smart city cards, digital identity programs, transport ticketing, and enterprise access management systems.

Featured Products

• Products: MIFARE DESFire EV3
• Description: High-security IC for contactless smart city services
• ISO/IEC Support: ISO/IEC 14443 A 1-4 and ISO/IEC 7816
• Security: DES/2K3DES/3K2DES/AES crypto algorithms
• Certifications: CC EAL5+
• Datasheet: Download
• Order: Buy

Features overview

RF interface: ISO/IEC 14443 Type A

• Contactless interface compliant with ISO/IEC 14443-2/3 A
• Low Hmin enabling operating distance up to 100 mm (depending on power provided by the PCD and antenna geometry)
• Fast data transfer: 106 kbit/s, 212 kbit/s, 424 kbit/s, 848 kbit/s
• 7 bytes unique identifier (option for Random ID)
• Uses ISO/IEC 14443-4 transmission protocol
• Configurable FSCI to support up to 256 bytes frame size

Non-volatile memory

• 2kB, 4kB, 8kB and 16 kb
• Data retention of 25 years
• Write endurance typical 1 000 000 cycles
• Fast programming cycles

NV-memory organization and multi-application support

• Flexible file system: user can freely define application structures on PICC
• As many applications as memory size supports
• Up to 32 files in each application (6 file types available: Standard Data file, Back-up Data file, Value file, Linear Record file, Cyclic Record file and Transaction MAC file)
• File size is determined during creation (not for Transaction MAC file)
• MlsmartApp (Delegated Application Management)
• Memory reuse in DAM applications (Format Application)
• Factory loaded NXP’s DAM keys for AppXplorer service support
• Accessing files from any two applications during a single transaction

Security and Privacy

• Common Criteria certification: EAL5+ (Hardware and Software)
• Unique 7 bytes serial number for each device
• Optional “RANDOM” ID for enhanced security and privacy
• Mutual three-pass authentication
• Mutual authentication according to ISO/IEC 7816-4
• Flexible key management: 1 card leader key and up to 14 keys per application
• Multiple key assignment for each file access rights (up to 8)
• Multiple Key Sets per application with fast key rolling mechanism (up to 16 sets)
• Hardware DES using 56/112/168 bit keys featuring key version
• Hardware AES using 128-bit keys featuring key version
• Data authenticity by 8 byte CMAC
• MF3ICD40 compatible mode: 4 byte MAC, CRC 16
• Data encryption on RF-channel
• Authentication on application level
• Hardware exception sensors
• Self-securing file system
• Transaction MAC signed with secret key per application
• Virtual Card Architecture for enhanced card/application selection on multi-VC Devices with privacy protection
• Proximity Check for protection against Relay Attacks
• Originality Check for proof of genuine NXP’s product

ISO/IEC 7816 compatibility

• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 file structure (selection by File ID or DF name)
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 APDU message structure
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 APDU wrapper for MIFARE DESFire native commands
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ‘A4’ for SELECT FILE
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ‘BO’ for READ BINARY
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ‘D6’ for UPDATE BINARY
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ’62’ for READ RECORDS
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ‘E2’ for APPEND RECORD
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ’88’ for INTERNAL AUTHENTICATE
• Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code ’82’ for EXTERNAL AUTHENTICATE

Special features

• Transaction-oriented automatic anti-tear mechanism with new transaction timer support
• Configurable ATS information for card personalization
• Backward compatibility mode to MIFARE DESFire EV2, EV1 and D40 (MF3ICD40)
• Secure Unique NFC (SUN) enabled by Secure Dynamic Messaging (SDM) which is mirrored as text into the NDEF message (compatible with NTAG DNA)
• Optional high input capacitance (70 pF) for small form factor designs (MF3DHx3)

Card Specifications

Parameter	Specification
IC Chip	NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K
Card Type	Contactless NFC Smart Card
Operating Frequency	13.56 MHz
Standard	ISO/IEC 14443 Type A
Additional Standard	ISO/IEC 7816-4
NFC Forum	Type 4 Tag
Memory Capacity	4 KB EEPROM
UID	7 Bytes
Encryption	DES, 2K3DES, 3K3DES, AES-128
Communication Speed	106, 212, 424, 848 kbit/s
Operating Distance	Up to 10 cm
Data Retention	25 Years
Write Endurance	1,000,000 Cycles
Material	Premium White PVC
Dimensions	85.5 × 54 mm
Thickness	0.8 – 0.89 mm
Weight	6 g
Surface Finish	Glossy Laminated
Operating Temperature	-25°C to +85°C
Card Color	White
Printing	Thermal Transfer Printable
Warranty	1 Year

MIFARE® DESFire® EV3: High-Security IC for Contactless Smart City Services

An NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K – chip inside a white NFC PVC card chip features.

MIFARE DESFire EV3 | Secure Contactless IC. MIFARE DESFire EV3 contactless multi-application IC. MIFARE® DESFire® EV3: High-Security IC for Contactless Smart City Services. NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K is the third evolution of the DESFire EV1 card and is ideal for a range of applications including advanced public transportation, access management, closed-loop micropayment, university and student ID and loyalty programs.

• MIFARE® DESFire® EV3 8K Blank White PVC Cards – ID Cards Direct
• NFC Card – NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K (white PVC)

Ideal Applications

The NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K NFC Card is designed for a wide range of secure identification and transaction systems:

Transportation & Mobility

• Public transport ticketing
• Metro and railway smart cards
• Smart mobility solutions
• Road toll collection
• Parking management systems

Access Control & Security

• Corporate access control
• Building security systems
• Government identity cards
• Secure employee credentials
• Visitor management systems

Education & Campus Management

• Student ID cards
• Campus access cards
• Library management systems
• Cashless campus payments

Hospitality & Events

• Hotel room access cards
• Resort guest credentials
• Event ticketing
• Conference badges
• Membership cards

Retail & Payments

• Secure customer identification
• Cashless payment systems
• Loyalty and rewards programs
• Membership cards

Comparison Table

	MIFARE DESFire EV3	MIFARE DESFire EV2	MIFARE DESFire EV1
ISO/IEC 14443 A 1-4	Yes	Yes	Yes
ISO/IEC 7816-4 support	Extended	Extended	Extended
EEPROM data memory	2/4/8/16KB	2/4/8/16/32KB	2/4/8KB
Flexible file structure	Yes	Yes	Yes
NFC Forum Tag Type 4	Yes	Yes	Yes
Unique ID	7B UID or 4B RID	7B UID or 4B RID	7B UID or 4B RID
Number of applications	As many as memory size supports	As many as memory size supports	28
Number of files per app	32	32	32
Data rates supported	Up to 848 Kbit/s	Up to 848 Kbit/s	Up to 848 Kbit/s
Crypto algorithms supported	DES/2K3DES/ 3K3DES/ AES128	DES/2K3DES/ 3K3DES/ AES128	DES/2K3DES/ 3K3DES/ AES128
CC certification (HW+SW)	EAL 5+	EAL 5+	EAL 4+
Delegated Application Management (Multi-Application)	Yes, preloaded keys	Yes	–
SUN (Secure Unique NFC Message)	Yes, compatible with NTAG DNA	–	–
Transaction MAC per app	Yes	Yes	–
Multiple keysets per app	Up to 16 keysets	Up to 16 keysets	–
Multiple file access rights	Up to 8 keys	Up to 8 keys	–
Inter-app file sharing	Yes	Yes
Transaction Timer	Yes	–	–
Virtual Card Architecture	Yes	Yes	–
Proximity Check	Yes	Yes	–
Delivery types	Wafer, MOA4 and MOA8	Wafer, MOA4 and MOB6	Wafer, MOA4 and MOA8

Contact Us for NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K Pricing & Samples

Ready to evaluate the NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 4K for your next smart card project? Contact our team via email for pricing, volume availability, sample requests, and technical integration support.