iOS app downloads surge in China, but developers failing to monetise
Publishers on iOS and Android generate more revenue from apps downloaded in the US, Japan and the UK than they do in the rest of the world combined, reports App Annie.
The analytics specialist claims in its latest inforgraphic that 42 percent of App Store revenue is made in the US, while Japan and UK generate 10 percent and 8 percent of revenue on Apple's platform respectively.
Altogether, App Annie deduces 40 percent of App Store revenue comes from marketplaces outside these top three.
Three is family
Noting a similar story on Google Play, App Annie claims that publishers "looking to generate global revenue scale" simply can't afford to ignore these three territories.
Naturally, as well as dominating revenue, the US also comes out on top in terms of pure downloads.
On iOS, 28 percent of downloads are made by users in the US. However, App Annie's numbers point to a disconnect between downloads and app revenue, with China snapping up second spot with an 18 percent share.
That means Chinese consumers are downloading apps aplenty, but so far developers are struggling to monetise in the region, with sheer download volume failing to translate into revenue.
On Google Play, the US accounts for 25 percent of downloads, while the UK and Germany make up 10 and 6 percent of total downloads respectively.
As such, App Annie's figures suggest Android's uptake in Asia isn't producing app downloads - something the firm claims could be down to competition from regional app stores run by local operators.
No knocking Apple
Growth wise, Brazil is the fastest growing region for Android, with Japan, Russia, the US and France topping the growth league on iOS
Putting geography aside, however, App Annie concludes Android's higher number of daily device activations does not mean it tops iOS when it comes to apps.
App Annie's numbers suggest iOS users are still the most app happy, with the App Store continuing to top Google Play in terms of sheer revenue.
In fact, for every $1 spent on Google Play, $2.45 is spent on iOS.
App Annie deduces things are unlikely to turn around any time soon, either.
"According to the first four months of 2012 revenue data, iOS and Google Play are growing at the same pace," the firm concludes.
"Therefore there is no catch-up pace from Google right now. If Google Play wants to start catching up in 2012, then now is a great time to make a big announcement."
[source: App Annie]