South Korea's LG Display Co. saw its global market share of 9-inch and below display panels hover above that of its long-term rival Samsung Display Co. for the first time in the October-December period of 2014, data showed Tuesday, emerging as the world's No. 1 player.

LG Display took up 18.7 percent of global small and mid-sized panel shipments in the fourth quarter of 2014, standing neck-and-neck with Japan Display Inc., which also held a 18.7 percent stake, the data compiled by market tracker DisplaySearch showed.

The South Korean player, however, saw its sales reach $2.17 billion, slightly higher than Japan Display's $2.1 billion, rising as the No. 1 player. Samsung Display Co., which has been LG Display's bigger rival in the sector, saw its share drop to 15.7 percent over the cited period.

In the first quarter of 2014, Samsung stood as the top player at 24 percent, trailed by Japan's Sharp Corp. with 14.5 percent and Japan Display with 12.4 percent. LG Display only held 11.4 percent.

Industry watchers attributed the rise of LG Display and Japan Display to the increasing popularity of U.S. Apple Inc.'s iPhone 6, which is equipped with panels made by the two companies. LG Display is also known as the exclusive provider of panels for the Apple Watch that will come to the market next month.

In contrast, Samsung Display suffered as Samsung Electronics Co.'s sales of smart devices remained lackluster throughout 2014.

Eighty percent of Samsung Display's mobile panel shipments are to the tech giant.

For all of 2014, Samsung Display maintained its throne at 19.6 percent, followed by LG Display with 14.4 percent.

Industry watchers said Samsung's strive to keep its dominant lead on a yearly basis depends on the success of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge that will hit the global market on April 10.

Other sources said Samsung will also become a supplier of panels to Apple's next version of its smartwatch, battling with LG Display. (Yonhap)