Samsung Display outperformed global rivals in small- and medium-sized panels to retain its top spot for the fourth consecutive year in 2013, data showed Thursday.

The affiliate of Samsung Group is estimated to have sold $11.1 billion worth of 9-inch and smaller display panels around the globe, the data compiled by DisplaySearch showed.

Samsung has been in the top spot since the fourth quarter of 2009 when it outpaced Japan’s Sharp Corp. for the first time. The Korean firm’s market share came to 26 percent in 2013, up 3.1 percentage points on-year.

Japan Display Inc. took up a 13.2 percent market share last year, trailed by LG Display Inc. with 11 percent and Taiwan’s Innolux Corp. with 7.9 percent. AU Optronics accounted for 6.1 percent.

The world’s market for small- and medium-sized display panels came to $42.9 billion last year, up 22.8 percent from the $34.9 billion posted in 2012. In contrast, the market for 9-inch and larger display panels came to $73.3 billion in 2013, falling 12.3 percent over the cited period.

Industry watchers attributed the trend to rising sales of smartphones and tablet PCs around the globe, which sparked higher demand for 9-inch panels, while needs for laptops and PC monitors declined. (Yonhap)