There are other NFC Chip formats out there - any that adhere to the NFC Forums Type 1 or Type 2 compatibility protocols will work with the Galaxy S4.
But based on what's readily available and popular the main thing to remember is that Mifare Classic Tags are NOT compatible with the S4; NTAG203 Tags and Topaz 512 Tags ARE fully compatible!
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Samsung Galaxy S4 NFC Stopped Detecting Mifare Ultralight C Tags [closed]
I phoned Samsung UK customer technical support who said it was news to them and they will escalate it and get back to me. They said factory resetting the phone wont remove the updates so suggested I re-flash my phone but couldn't tell me how to do it!