Hello,
I would recommend you to check the AN11578 for a better understanding of the energy harvesting.
Please consider that the reader needs a certain amount of current to work correctly, to detect the tag.
If you are using the Demo Board, you will need to take into account that it's being powered by the Antenna Board; the Antenna Board it’s powered at the same time by the energy harvesting from the smartphone.
‘Whenever there is more current consumption, the distance will be reduced as well.
Regards,
Estephania