App Annie has released its latest information on mobile app downloads, and finds that while the Google Play marketplace nearly matches Apple’s App Store in the number of downloads, it is still lagging far behind in revenue. It seems iOS device users in general remain much more willing to pay for content than Android users.
While the iOS App Store and Google Play both had solid gains in app downloads last quarter, Google Play had a higher percentage growth rate as well as a greater gain in absolute downloads. As of Q1 2013, Google Play’s app downloads were close to 90% of iOS App Store downloads.
From Q4 2012 to Q1 2013, iOS App Store quarterly revenue grew by roughly one-quarter. Meanwhile, Google Play app revenue grew by roughly 90%. While Google Play had the higher growth rate, the iOS App Store gained more in absolute revenue and earned about 2.6x that of Google Play in Q1.
The stark contrast between the two camps of customers can be best highlighted by an AllThingsD interview with MLB.com head Bob Bowman, where he notes that even though Android is gaining momentum, Apple users continue to be the best source of revenue for Major League Baseball subscription services.
His user base, which used to split 80/20 in favor of iOS over Android, has now moved to 70/30. “The Samsung phone is quite a good Android phone,” Bowman said.
But the uptick in Android users, he said, doesn’t track with revenue. That still splits 80/20 in favor of iOS users. “Maybe even 85/15.”
Bowman did note that the lack of low-end iOS devices does create a self-selecting group of consumers willing to pay more for content.
