NFC and UHF RFID in One Wearable

One of the standout aspects of the WS501-R is its inclusion of NFC RFID alongside UHF RFID capabilities. NFC is built directly into the device, giving workers the ability to interact with short-range NFC tags and smart labels without carrying a separate reader. The UHF RFID functionality uses an integrated upward-facing antenna and delivers a read range of approximately five feet, which can be configured and dynamically adjusted depending on the task at hand. An optional external downward-facing antenna is also available for applications that require it.

Beyond the onboard RFID hardware, the WS501-R is designed to pair with Bluetooth BLE UHF readers. This means the device can act as the processing and display hub for extended UHF RFID operations, with a connected BLE reader handling tag capture at greater distances or in different orientations. This flexibility makes the platform well suited to complex workflows where a single read range or antenna position is not enough.

Barcode Scanning and Display

The WS501-R integrates the SR560 1D/2D imager, which is built to handle damaged or poorly printed barcodes and offers a wide field of view for capturing multiple codes in a single scan. The 2-inch AMOLED colour display runs at 460 x 460 resolution and supports both fingertip and gloved-hand touch input. Two programmable buttons allow workers to customise functions to match their workflow, and a built-in speaker and microphone add push-to-talk capability for on-the-floor communication.

Processing Power and Connectivity

Under the hood, the WS501-R runs on a Qualcomm QCS2290 quad-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash storage. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 for high-throughput network performance and Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable short-range pairing with peripheral devices including the BLE UHF readers mentioned above. The 9.24 watt-hour battery is hot-swappable, so workers can keep the device running through extended shifts without downtime.

Built for Industrial Environments

Durability is a core part of the WS501-R’s specification. The device carries an IP65 sealing rating for protection against dust and water jets, is drop-rated to five feet onto concrete, and operates across a temperature range of 14 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. A replaceable front shell adds further longevity to the hardware investment.

Zebra is targeting the WS501-R at warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and retail operations. Use cases include picking, inventory management, sorting, and asset tracking, all areas where hands-free RFID capture can reduce errors and improve throughput. With NFC RFID on board alongside UHF and BLE reader pairing support, the device covers a broader range of tag types and read scenarios than many single-frequency wearables.

Read more at https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/products/spec-sheets/mobile-computers/wearable/ws501-r.html

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