According to information recently released by Microsoft, it turned out that most of the mobile apps downloaded from the Windows Phone app store are from low-cost smartphones, particularly those devices with less than 512 megabytes of memory.
Based on Microsoft's data, 71 percent of the apps were downloaded using smartphones with half a gigabyte or less of random access memory. This means that if a developer releases a Windows Phone app that needs more than 512 megabytes of memory, he can expect that app to be most likely downloaded using higher-end devices.
As for Microsoft, it might not mind the uneven download distribution that much. After all, the company appears to be shifting its focus to introducing more budget-friendly phones in the near future, instead of premium price product offerings.
As for the app developers, they might do well shifting their focus, too. As suggested by data that Microsoft just released, it might be a good idea for developers to create apps that require less RAM and can function well on low- to mid-range Windows Phone handsets, like the Lumia phones for example.
And speaking of Lumia devices, Microsoft's data also suggests that owners of these budget-friendly handsets are more active in terms of downloading apps from the Windows Phone app store. Indeed, owners of models such as the Lumia 530, Lumia 620, Lumia 625, Lumia 630, and the Lumia 720 all deserve mention.
Interestingly, the United States, the home country of Microsoft, accounts for the most mobile apps downloaded from the Windows Phone app store, according to Microsoft's data. This is surprising because Windows Phone devices only enjoy a minimal market share in American soil. Tied for second are the countries India and China, then followed by France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and Russia.
Microsorosoft has also revealed that 65 percent of Windows Phone downloads now go to devices that run on Windows Phone 8.1. As for devices that run on Windows Phone 7 or lower, they now make up not more than 5 percent of all mobile app downloads from the Windows Phone app store.
Although more people are buying devices that run on the Windows Phone operating system, these handsets still have very minimal global market share, compared to Android- and iOS-running devices. But with regards to its app store, Windows Phone is actually not doing bad. Earlier this year, the store reached 300,000 in terms of the number of mobile apps available for download. Moreover, many high profile app development firms are now creating in-house apps for the Windows Phone operating system, which should provide more choices for owners of Windows Phone devices.
