The whole world watched when Apple unveiled the iPhone 5s and its Touch ID, the first fingerprint sensor that 'really works' and certainly has practical use. Due to its popularity, several succeeding devices from different manufacturers have started adopting the feature. 

HTC recently released the One max, a phablet that has a built-in fingerprint reader on its back, and Korean brand Pantech launched the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 killer Vega Secret Note which also has a fingerprint sensor. According to research firm IHS, this is just the beginning. 

IHS recently released a report that mobile phones and devices which have fingerprint sensors would increase by over 11-fold in the next four years. The firm expects 45.7 million fingerprint sensor-enabled units to be shipped before the year ends, and up to 525 million in 2017. 

Still, companies which plan to put fingerprint sensors in their devices should not just do it for show. Like the iPhone 5s, the feature should have practical and/or security reasons which would make it an asset of that particular device. 

Based on IHS' research, long-time Apple rival Samsung would soon equip a fingerprint sensor in its upcoming devices as well.