Samsung is set to launch a NFC-enabled version of its Galaxy S3 Mini smartphone, the smaller sibling of the company's Galaxy S3, later this month. Per reports, the Galaxy S3 Mini with NFC support will be released by January-end in the UK.

The upgraded Galaxy S3 mini model will house pretty much the same features and specifications as the one unveiled in October 2012, except for the fact that it will come with NFC support.

"Samsung is readying an NFC-equipped version of its Galaxy S III Mini smartphone, the company has confirmed, with the smaller handset expected to go on sale in the UK by the end of January 2013. Building on the existing Galaxy S III Mini, announced back in October, the tweaked version adds in support for Samsung's S Beam system, pairing NFC and WiFi-Direct for speedy data transfers," reported SlashGear.

So what would be the advantage of the NFC feature? For starters, users would be able to transfer files between compatible smartphone via the S Beam feature. When tapped together, the NFC-enabled Galaxy S3 Mini and the other handset can transfer and receive files over NFC. Post this, a Wi-Fi Direct link would be established between the two handsets and the feature would relay data back and forth between the two devices, allowing for files to be transferred within seconds.

The Galaxy S3 Mini (with NFC support) retains its 4-inch WVGA display, 1GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel primary camera, front-facing VGA camera, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.

The smartphone will be available via UK carriers, as well as major high street retailers by month end. Samsung hasn't disclosed the pricing of the smartphone yet, but it is expected to retail for the same £270 ($429) price as the unlocked non-NFC version, which was released in the UK market in November 2012.