In the present day, a large percentage of people now own smartphones. Above all, smartphone usage is also on the rise. Especially after the post-pandemic phase, business owners, students, and other people in different fields now embrace the use of smartphones in their daily activities. With mobile phones, there is a lot to explore. For instance, app downloads, browsing, and instant clicks, among other activities.

The ever-growing digital business trends to find easy solutions is one motivating factor making tech gurus innovate improved mobile technologies. This, in turn, is a way of unlocking opportunities to admire, which will stimulate business growth and stiff competition in the market. This is possible in this era, where many business owners are trying to find solutions on how to transition their business services from traditional ways of operations to mobile software solutions. So, what mobile trends and innovations should we look forward to in the years 2024 and beyond? Let’s find out below.

Smartphone User Base

Let’s begin our analysis with those using smartphones. Since smartphones came into the picture, the smartphone user base has been around 1.3 – 0.5 billion per year, according to some studies. The rate keeps growing as technology keeps advancing. The growing trend began way back in 2016, with 3.6 billion users as the starting base. In the year 2022, the trend has grown up to 6.6 billion smartphone users, a trend set to grow more in the coming years. From this simple analysis, it is evident that smartphone user growth is set to rise every other year.

Comparing iOS and Android smartphone users globally

Global Marketplace comparison

There is no doubt that the competition between iOS and Android users is so high. However, when you do a careful analysis of the one that dominates the market, Android users take the lead in the market share worldwide, with about 72.2% of total smartphone users.

UK Marketplace comparison

In the UK smartphone market share, Android and iOS users both are under stiff competition. In a recent study, two different surveys showed the Android user base having 47.8% of the market share, with iOS with a user base of 51.6%. Still, another survey showed Android to be leading with 53% of the user base. From this analysis, the UK market mobile share is almost equal, based on the approximations from the surveys.

US Marketplace comparison

In the US smartphone market share, iOS mobile device users take the lead with 57% compared to their Android counterparts.

With the information and approximation of the smartphone user bases, it is possible for app development businesses to set up businesses that will meet target customer needs and wants. In the same case, let’s not forget the tablet user base for cross-platform app development, which has grown up to 36% in the past six years.

Smartphone Usage comparison

You’ve probably been in a public place, be it on a bus, a field, at different functions, or anywhere with a lot of people gathered together. The chances are that most of these people are busy on their smartphones doing different activities.

As mobile app development keeps escalating, people will now stay on their mobile phones longer than before. Continuous mobile app development means more things to achieve via smartphones, hence the reason why people will now spend more time on their phones. For instance, there are many entertaining materials from smartphones, and digitalized services like management, shopping, finance, and education, among many others, giving many people reasons to always be on their phones. Now, the more people spend time on their smartphone apps, the more businesses generate more revenue through mobile app services.

Statistics on Mobile App Development & Download

Another aspect of evaluating when evaluating mobile app usage statistics in the present year and the years to come is a careful analysis of mobile app development and download trends. Therefore, we evaluate both App Store for iOS & Google Play Store for Android.

App Store Analysis

The Apple App Store is a close competitor of the top Google Play Store and has a varied user base based on location or region.

The latest analysis shows a total of 2.11 million iOS mobile applications and a total of 724k and above global publishers. The gaming apps amount to 221,666 of the total applications.

As per the latest survey, the app store revenue is set to rise up to USD 96 billion in the year 2023, compared to the 2022 revenue of USD 88 billion.

Google Play Store Analysis

Having been on the market for way too long, Google is the most trusted platform by users from all walks of life. The 2022 study shows that android apps, as of the year 2022 reached over 2.65 million with 494k+ Google Play Store publishers.

While the Google Play Store is constantly getting rid of spamming and low-quality applications, the number of new and good-quality applications keeps rising every other day. With the ever-increasing number of mobile app stores, the Google Play Store has managed to stay on top for way too long.

Statistics on Mobile App Retention

One of the significant elements mobile app developers consider during the development process is the retention rate. The retention rate is simply the basis a mobile app user continues to use the app after installing it. When the retention rate is high, it means the number of users is high too. This rate is usually determined thirty days after the user installs the app on their mobile phones.

The retention rate depends on the type and genre of the mobile app the user installs on their smartphones.

The next section discusses elements to be put into consideration during the mobile app development process to ensure a high retention rate.

The rise of mobile internet usage stats

Statistics show that many people spend more hours on the internet when using mobile phones than when using a desktop. This means that while the use of the internet through mobile apps is rising, the use of the internet on the desktop is falling. This can only mean that the future of mobile apps is growing at a steady rate.

• Mobile apps take up more than 90% of internet time

Another statistic has proven that there is a big gap between mobile browser usage and mobile app usage. Studies show that a large percentage of people who spend the most time using mobile internet is always on mobile apps other than other activities. This shows how effective mobile app development companies need to major in customizing mobile applications.

• Averagely, Google play store releases about 70,000 Android apps each month

Although the market trends show few android apps available, the same market gets new Android apps every month, up to 2.5 times more than iOS apps. This only means that the future of mobile app development is growing at a steady rate.

• A large percentage of smartphone users have at least 80 mobile apps installed on the phones

While most smartphones come with some already installed apps, users also add their preferred apps. On an average basis, every user with a smartphone must use nine applications daily, based on stats. This means that even if the app download experiences a decline, users still have great apps to keep up with.

• About 73% of millennials do online shopping approximately 1 to 4 times weekly

While millennials use their smartphones mostly for gaming and entertainment, they also do more online shopping, which calls for various shopping apps. As a mobile app developer, this shows that you that shopping apps are of great significance.

• Approximately 92 – 96% of mobile applications are free

Research proves that free mobile applications take the lead on the market. Statistics show that 96% of Google play applications are free, while the Apple app store has approximately 92% of free mobile apps. Although these applications are free, they still generate good revenue through regular upgrades, add-ons, and ads. Therefore, as a mobile app developer, this is a clue on how to strategize your app for effectiveness.

Gaming apps dominate the Google Play store

Another statistic shows that all the top-grossing mobile applications fall under the gaming category.

• Apple App Store apps generate more revenue compared to Google play store

Some proven research suggests that iOS mobile apps top the chat when it comes to bringing in more money as compared to Google Play Store. Therefore, as a mobile app developer, if your core interest lies in more revenue, then focusing on iOS mobile apps should be your top priority.

• Data usage is the deciding factor when choosing an app; according to approximately 37% of the millennials

Before an app user installs the app, they must weigh different options. One of the determining factors of whether to install the app or not is data usage. Therefore, stats show that an app that eats up more data is less likely to be used by many, and it won’t become popular. This shows that as a mobile app developer, always have the interests of the users in mind before launching the app to ensure it meets the user’s requirements.

• Social media apps are commonly used (approximately 70% of the apps) by millennials

One thing for sure is that millennials use more social media applications to connect with others and get entertained. Followed by social media apps are messaging apps that enhance easy communications. Therefore, as a developer, if you are targeting the millennial group, you better know where all your focus should be.

Top factors that affect the growth of mobile apps

From the analysis we have explored in the previous sections, it is evident that a higher percentage of smartphone users use mobile applications more often. Therefore, as a mobile app developer, you may want to figure out the elements making smartphone users enjoy spending time using the applications. This way, you will also establish ways to ensure your mobile app development and solutions bears more fruits. Let’s evaluate some of these factors below:

Good Mobile App UI/UX Designs

The UI/UX designs are the top elements that determine the effectiveness of mobile apps. So, to maximize the mobile app retention rate, keep more focus on the best UI/UX designs.

Improved Performance

Of course, mobile app users will want a crash-free and faster app when using it. Therefore, an app with regular updates and one that meets user requirements will make users enjoy using the app, hence a higher retention rate. Again, since the mobile apps market has stiff competition, you can only ensure higher performance for your app.

Conclusion

Are you looking forward to venturing into the mobile app development field? Well, this is the best step you can take because of the improved innovation that is stimulating mobile app development to meet various user needs. Improved technologies coming into place are set to improve mobile app security, overall performance, and all-around user experience, especially in the coming years.

To know more about mobile app usage statistics, connect with us today!