Android 16 RFID Inventory Terminal with Impinj E-Series, Gen2X, 1,300+ Tags/s and Up to 33 m Manufacturer-Tested Read Range

The Chainway C5E is a rugged Android handheld UHF RFID reader designed for high-volume item identification, stock counting, asset tracking and operational data capture.

Built on Android 16 with a Qualcomm octa-core platform, the C5E combines an integrated long-range UHF RFID reader, 6-inch display, removable 7,000 mAh battery, enterprise wireless connectivity and optional barcode, NFC and PSAM capabilities in one handheld device.

Chainway specifies an Impinj E-Series RFID engine, support for Impinj Gen2X, a read rate of 1,300+ tags per second, and laboratory/open-environment read distances of up to 33 metres depending on tag and conditions.

Product Overview

The C5E is designed for organizations that need to identify many RFID-tagged items quickly without manually scanning each barcode.

Typical use cases include:

• Warehouse cycle counting
• Retail inventory
• Asset verification
• Logistics operations
• Manufacturing traceability
• Equipment tracking
• Stockroom audits
• Item search and location

Unlike a conventional barcode handheld, UHF RFID can identify multiple compatible tags without requiring direct line-of-sight to every individual item.

The actual performance of any RFID deployment depends on the tag type, antenna orientation, surrounding materials, RF environment and software configuration.

Key Features

• Android 16 operating system
• Qualcomm octa-core processor
• Up to 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage
• Integrated UHF RFID reader
• Impinj E-Series RFID chipset
• Impinj Gen2X support
• EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-63 support
• Up to 1,300+ tags per second manufacturer-tested read rate
• Manufacturer-tested RFID range up to 33 m depending on tag and conditions
• Precise RFID item-finding capability
• 6-inch HD display
• Optional FHD+ display configuration
• 7,000 mAh removable battery
• Hot-swappable battery support
• Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
• Wi-Fi 6-ready connectivity
• Bluetooth 5.1
• 4G LTE
• GNSS
• Optional 2D barcode scanning
• NFC support
• Optional dual PSAM
• IP65 sealing
• 1.5 m drop resistance
• MIL-STD-810H drop-test compliance
• USB Type-C with OTG

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer: Chainway
Model: C5E
Product Type: Rugged handheld UHF RFID reader

Performance

Operating System: Android 16
Processor: Octa-core, up to 2.0 GHz
Memory: 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage standard platform configuration
Optional Memory: Up to 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage
Expansion: microSD/TF support; manufacturer documentation states support up to 256 GB, with certain high-capacity cards up to 512 GB

Display

Display Size: 6 inches
Standard Resolution: 720 × 1440
Optional Display: 1080 × 2160 FHD+
Touch Panel: Corning Gorilla Glass
Input: Multi-touch
Glove Operation: Supported
Wet-Hand Operation: Supported

UHF RFID

RFID Engine: Impinj E-Series based
Protocol: EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-63
Impinj Gen2X: Supported

Frequency Options:

• 865–868 MHz
• 920–925 MHz
• 902–928 MHz

Frequency configuration depends on regional requirements and exact SKU.

RF Output: Up to 1 W / 30 dBm, adjustable from +5 to +30 dBm
Optional Output: 2 W / 33 dBm for certain supported regions/configurations

Maximum Read Rate: 1,300+ tags/second under manufacturer test conditions

Manufacturer-Tested Maximum Read Range:

• 30 m using Impinj MR6 tag
• 32 m using Impinj M750 tag
• 33 m using Alien H3 anti-metal tag

These figures are not guaranteed field-performance distances. Chainway states that read-rate tests were performed under low-interference laboratory conditions and range testing in open outdoor environments.

Battery

Battery: 7,000 mAh removable pistol-grip battery
Hot Swap: Supported
Charging: Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
Optional Battery: Smart battery configuration available

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions: 178.8 × 96.5 × 128.4 mm
Weight: Approximately 626 g including battery

Ruggedness

Ingress Protection: IP65
Drop Resistance: 1.5 m
Drop Standard: MIL-STD-810H compliant manufacturer drop test
Tumble: 1,000 × 0.5 m tumbles
ESD: ±15 kV air discharge / ±8 kV contact discharge

Operating Environment

Operating Temperature: -20°C to +50°C
Storage Temperature: -40°C to +70°C
Humidity: 5% to 95% RH, non-condensing

Long-Range RFID Inventory Operations

The principal strength of the C5E is its ability to interrogate multiple UHF RFID tags quickly.

In a properly designed RFID environment, this can support:

• Rapid inventory counting
• Shelf verification
• Pallet and carton identification
• Asset audits
• Stockroom searches
• Item-location workflows
• Warehouse receiving
• Warehouse dispatch checks
• Manufacturing work-in-process tracking

The C5E's integrated pistol-grip RFID design can be useful where operators perform repeated inventory or search tasks during a shift.

Precise RFID Item Finding

Chainway specifically identifies precise RFID item finding as a C5E capability.

This can help an operator narrow down the location of a tagged item using RFID signal information and onboard sensor data rather than relying only on a simple tag-presence indication.

Actual item-finding accuracy depends on:

• Tag type
• Tag orientation
• Nearby tags
• RF reflections
• Metal or liquid
• Environment
• Software implementation
• Search algorithm

It should therefore be treated as an operational aid rather than a guaranteed physical positioning system.

Retail Applications

The C5E can be useful in RFID-enabled retail environments for:

• Cycle counts
• Store inventory
• Backroom stock checks
• Replenishment workflows
• Item searching
• Stock discrepancy investigation
• Receiving
• Asset tracking

Retail businesses considering the C5E should first confirm that the merchandise already uses compatible UHF RFID tags or that an RFID-tagging program is part of the intended project.

The reader alone does not convert an untagged inventory environment into an RFID system.

Warehousing and Logistics

In warehouses and logistics environments, the C5E can support applications including:

• Inventory counting
• Location verification
• Inbound receiving
• Outbound checking
• Asset tracking
• Pallet identification
• Container identification
• Equipment tracking

RFID performance may differ significantly between an open warehouse aisle and densely packed stock, metal shelving or liquid-containing products.

A representative site test is advisable for demanding RFID deployments.

Manufacturing and Asset Management

The C5E can also be considered for manufacturing and industrial asset workflows.

Potential uses include:

• Tool tracking
• Equipment identification
• Work-in-process tracking
• Finished-goods inventory
• Maintenance asset audits
• Component traceability
• Returnable asset tracking

The correct RFID tag is just as important as the reader.

For example, assets mounted on metal may require suitable on-metal UHF RFID tags rather than conventional general-purpose tags.

Barcode Scanning

The C5E can also be configured with a 2D barcode scan engine.

Chainway lists supported scan-engine options including:

• Zebra SE4710
• CM60
• CB300T

Barcode support is optional, so it should not be assumed to be included with every C5E unit.

Supported 1D symbologies include common formats such as:

• UPC/EAN
• Code 128
• Code 39
• Code 93
• Code 11
• Interleaved 2 of 5
• Codabar
• MSI

Supported 2D symbologies include:

• PDF417
• MicroPDF417
• Data Matrix
• QR Code
• Micro QR
• Aztec
• MaxiCode
• Various postal codes

NFC

The C5E supports 13.56 MHz NFC.

Chainway documents support for:

• ISO 14443A/B
• ISO 15693
• NFC-IP1
• NFC-IP2
• M1 cards
• CPU cards
• NFC tags

Manufacturer-specified read range is approximately 2–4 cm, depending on card/tag and environment.

PSAM

Optional dual PSAM card slots are available and support ISO 7816.

PSAM requirements should be confirmed before ordering because this capability is not standard on every configuration.

Cameras

Front Camera: 5 MP
Rear Camera: 13 MP autofocus with flash

The cameras can support documentation, evidence capture and compatible enterprise applications.

Wireless Connectivity

The C5E supports enterprise mobile communications including:

Wi-Fi

• IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• ax-ready
• Fast roaming support

Bluetooth

• Bluetooth 5.1
• Headset support

Cellular

Supported global bands include 2G, 3G and 4G LTE configurations.

Exact LTE band availability depends on regional SKU and should be verified for UAE deployment.

GNSS

Supported satellite systems include:

• GPS
• BeiDou
• GLONASS
• Galileo
• A-GPS

UAE RFID Frequency Compatibility

RFID equipment should always be ordered with the correct regional frequency configuration.

The C5E is available in multiple frequency ranges including 865–868 MHz, 920–925 MHz and 902–928 MHz.

For UAE deployment, the exact permissible configuration and supplied SKU should be confirmed before purchase.

NEOTECH® should not assume that a C5E imported for another market is appropriate for UAE RF operation simply because the physical hardware looks identical.

Hot-Swappable 7,000 mAh Battery

The C5E uses a removable 7,000 mAh pistol-grip battery.

Hot-swap capability can help reduce interruption during long operating shifts because a depleted battery can be replaced rather than waiting for the entire terminal to recharge.

Battery runtime still depends heavily on:

• RFID transmit power
• Continuous tag reading
• Screen brightness
• Cellular use
• Wi-Fi activity
• Barcode scanning
• Application workload
• Ambient temperature

Android 16 Enterprise Platform

The C5E runs Android 16 and uses Chainway's software-development environment.

Chainway specifies:

SDK: Chainway Software Development Kit
Language: Java
Development Tools: Android Studio / Eclipse

This allows organizations or software integrators to build applications around RFID, barcode and other supported hardware functions.

Software development, integration and third-party applications are separate from the hardware unless explicitly included in a quotation.

Applications

The Chainway C5E can be considered for:

• RFID inventory counting
• Retail stock management
• Warehouse management
• Logistics operations
• Manufacturing
• Asset management
• Equipment tracking
• Item finding
• Receiving and dispatch
• Cycle counting
• Stock verification
• Barcode and RFID hybrid workflows

Purpose of Use

The C5E is primarily intended for organizations requiring high-performance mobile UHF RFID data capture.

Its value is strongest where many RFID-tagged items need to be identified quickly or where operators need to search for tagged assets across a warehouse, store, production site or other operational environment.

For applications requiring only conventional 1D/2D barcode scanning, a standard mobile computer without the integrated UHF RFID assembly may be simpler and more economical.

RFID Tag Compatibility

The C5E supports EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-63 UHF RFID.

However, protocol compatibility does not mean every UHF tag will provide the same performance.

Before deployment, consider:

• Tag IC
• Antenna design
• Tag dimensions
• Mounting surface
• On-metal requirement
• Orientation
• Read distance
• Environmental exposure
• Memory requirement
• Required durability

A successful RFID project depends on matching the reader, tag and application environment.

Things to Verify Before Ordering

Please confirm:

• Exact model: Chainway C5E
• Exact manufacturer SKU
• UAE-compatible UHF frequency
• Required RFID read-distance objective
• Tag type
• Barcode scanner requirement
• Scan-engine configuration
• NFC requirement
• PSAM requirement
• RAM and storage configuration
• Display resolution
• SIM/eSIM requirement
• Required LTE bands
• Charging cradle requirement
• Spare battery requirement
• Rubber boot requirement
• Required software/integration
• Current availability and lead time

For an RFID project, representative tags and the actual operating environment should ideally be tested before a large deployment.

Who Should Consider the Chainway C5E?

The C5E may be appropriate for businesses that:

• Already use UHF RFID tags
• Need high-speed inventory counts
• Need long-range RFID reading
• Need mobile item searching
• Require combined RFID and barcode workflows
• Operate warehouses or distribution centers
• Manage large numbers of physical assets
• Use RFID in retail or manufacturing

Businesses with no existing RFID infrastructure should first determine the required tags, software and operating process before purchasing handheld readers.

C5E vs Chainway C5

The C5E is a newer platform than the Chainway C5.

Chainway currently lists the C5 with Android 11/13, while the C5E uses Android 16, a newer Qualcomm platform, up to 8 GB + 256 GB storage, 7,000 mAh hot-swappable battery support and updated RFID capabilities.

Customers should therefore avoid treating C5 and C5E as identical model names.

Existing C5 software deployments should be checked for compatibility before migrating to C5E.

Why NEOTECH® UAE

NEOTECH® focuses on accurate hardware selection before purchase.

For RFID devices such as the Chainway C5E, we recommend confirming the UHF frequency, tag technology, read-range objective, application software and operating environment rather than selecting the reader solely from a headline maximum-distance figure.

This is especially important with RFID because real-world performance depends heavily on the complete deployment.

Delivery – UAE

Delivery is available within the UAE.

Order Cut-off: 14:00 GST
Handling: 1–2 business days where applicable
Standard Transit: Approximately 3–5 business days after handling
Typical Total Delivery: Approximately 4–7 business days for available products

Non-stock, special-order or specific RFID configurations may require additional lead time. Please confirm availability before ordering.

FAQ - Chainway C5E

Q: What is the Chainway C5E?
A: It is an Android 16 rugged handheld UHF RFID reader designed for inventory, asset tracking, retail, warehousing, logistics and manufacturing applications.

Q: Which RFID protocol does the C5E support?
A: EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-63, with Impinj Gen2X support.

Q: What RFID chip does it use?
A: Chainway specifies an RFID engine based on the Impinj E-Series family.

Q: How fast can the C5E read RFID tags?
A: Chainway specifies 1,300+ tags per second under low-interference laboratory test conditions. Actual field performance varies.

Q: Can the C5E really read RFID tags from 33 metres?
A: Chainway reports up to 33 m in specific open-environment tests using a particular Alien H3 anti-metal tag. Other manufacturer tests produced 30 m and 32 m with different tags. These figures should not be interpreted as a guaranteed operational range.

Q: Does the C5E run Android 16?
A: Yes. The current C5E manufacturer specification lists Android 16.

Q: Does it support barcode scanning?
A: Yes, optionally. Chainway lists several 2D scan-engine configurations, including Zebra SE4710. The exact SKU should be checked before ordering.

Q: Does the C5E support NFC?
A: Yes. It supports 13.56 MHz NFC with protocols including ISO 14443A/B and ISO 15693.

Q: What battery does it use?
A: A removable 7,000 mAh pistol-grip battery with hot-swap and Quick Charge 3.0 support.

Q: Is the C5E waterproof?
A: It is IP65 rated, which means it has documented protection against dust ingress and water jets under the applicable test conditions. It should not be described as waterproof or suitable for immersion.

Q: Is the C5E suitable for the UAE?
A: It can be supplied in multiple UHF frequency configurations. The exact regional frequency and cellular configuration should be confirmed for UAE use before ordering.

Related Products

• Chainway C5 UHF RFID Reader
• Chainway RFID Handheld Computers
• UHF RFID Tags
• On-Metal RFID Tags
• RFID Asset Tracking Solutions
• RFID Warehouse Inventory Solutions
• 2D Barcode Mobile Computers

Helpful Internal Links

Explore related NEOTECH® categories:

• UHF RFID Readers
• Handheld RFID Terminals
• Warehouse RFID Solutions
• Retail Inventory Technology
• Asset Tracking Hardware
• Industrial Mobile Computers
• RFID Tags & Labels
• Chainway Data Capture Products

Contact - NEOTECH® UAE

For product identification, configuration or availability:

Email: support@neotech.ae
Address: Store 13, Computer Building, Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, Dubai 44245, UAE

Disclaimer - NEOTECH® UAE

Chainway and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. NEOTECH® is an independent UAE technology supplier and does not claim manufacturer authorization unless expressly documented.

RFID read rate and distance figures on this page are manufacturer test results and are not guaranteed field-performance figures. Real-world RFID performance depends on tag design, orientation, materials, RF interference, reader configuration and operating environment.

Optional barcode scanning, PSAM, memory, display, cellular and accessory configurations may vary by exact C5E SKU. Confirm the complete manufacturer part number and UAE frequency requirements before ordering.

Last Updated: 23 September 2026 (GST, UTC+4)