Smartphone and tablet panel shipments are expected to reach over one billion units in 2013 to make up 55% of all small- to medium-size panel shipments during the year, according to market observers.

　　Some research firms estimate the global smartphone market in 2013 at around 930 million units, and the tablet market at around 250 million.

　　The 55% market share is more than double the 27% it was back in 2011 for smartphones and tablets sized 9-inch and below, the observers said.

　　The observers also added that more than 90% of tablets shipped in 2013 will use a-Si TFT technology while about 50% of smartphones will adapt the technology along with LTPS and AMOLED.