05.11.13
The rise of Brazil and China as app store giants
When it comes to the number of app downloads, Google Play is out ranking the Apple App Store. This time (Q3) last year, Google was ahead in downloads by 10%. Q3 2013 and the search-engine giants have increased their lead to around 25%. One of the main drivers for this increase is the fifth biggest country in the world in terms of land mass and population – Brazil. In its latest research on these two major app stores, app analytic and intelligence experts, App Annie, has cited the influence of the country’s middle class to its growth in downloads.
We know that the proliferation of affordable, quality Android handsets has made more advanced smartphone functionality available to a wider audience worldwide and this had obviously had an impact with Brazil’s burguesya, who make up 50% of the country’s population and are rapidly migrating from feature phone to smartphone. Combine this with massive investment into the nation’s 3G/4G network infrastructure and Brazil is set up to become a major App Store player. If you are looking to promote your app on a global level Brazil and fellow South Americans Argentina, will be regions to consider for Android.
Despite Google Play streaking ahead on the download front, the App Store still rules the roost on revenue. Although slightly down on Q2 last year, Apple still make over two times more in revenue than Google.
App Annie’s analytics also found China has emerged as an app store super power over the last few quarters for Apple, rising two places into to second place in terms of the number of downloads and moving up to third position for revenue generated. Like Brazil, China is becoming a key region for app developers.
Source: App Annie
Tags: App Annie, app developers, Brazil app store, china app store, Chinese app market, emerging mobile markets, Free App Magic, Latin American app market, magicSolver
