A total of 125m NFC phones were shipped in 2012, according to ABI Research, along with 147m NFC secure elements.

"There are multiple chip vendors offering a range of product alternatives to OEMs in various form factors with security and connectivity specialists all coming to the fore," says practice director John Devlin.

As a result, attach rates are increasing, devices are reaching market, and service partners — who had been holding back due to lack of devices — are now developing their own innovative use of NFC, bringing new services and NFC applications to market."

"Most of the current activity that we are tracking is largely focused around non-payment applications designed to increase interactivity of devices," he adds. "This allows consumers to use their smartphones and access information and content in new ways whilst giving OEM and service brands the chance to increase customer engagement."

ABI forecast in March that 500m NFC devices will be in use in 2014.

• Find details of all current and upcoming NFC phones in our comprehensive NFC devices list.