Samsung is reportedly expected to launch at least one smartphone with fingerprint scanning technology next year.

Apple was the first company to launch a device with a fingerprint scanner. Its iPhone 5S came with what the company calls Touch ID, which created a lot of controversy but also seems to have started a trend. HTC followed up with its One Max phablet, which also sports a fingerprint scanner, and it now seems that Samsung will be joining the party as well.

Swedish company Fingerprint Cards, which specializes in fingerprint recognition technology, reportedly told Reuters that it is expecting a number of the world's biggest smartphone members to adopt this technology.

"I think at least seven or eight [smartphone makers] will launch a phone with a touch sensor in 2014," the company's CEO, Johan Carlstrom, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Fingerprint Cards reportedly hopes to score contracts with most of those mobile phone makers, especially after introducing new touch fingerprint sensors for Android smartphones and tablets and the Windows operating system last week.

Carlstrom further said that his company expects Samsung to launch at least one smartphone, maybe two, with either a touch or a swipe fingerprint sensor in 2014. Fingerprint Cards hopes to be among the selected suppliers.

"Samsung is well known for having multiple suppliers for most components and our goal is to be selected as one of their sensor suppliers already in 2014."

Smartphone fingerprint scanners have created a lot of controversy ever since Apple launched its Touch ID-equipped iPhone 5S. While some welcome the new technology and see it as a great way to increase security, others have expressed concerns regarding their privacy and are reluctant to share their fingerprints with an Apple device.

Nonetheless, Apple did start a new trend with its fingerprint scanner and more companies are expected to follow suit. Samsung has not announced any plans to launch a device with a fingerprint scanner, but if the technology becomes popular enough the world's biggest smartphone maker will likely not stay out of the game. Until the company makes an official announcement, however, take things with a grain of salt.