iPhone users spend more than ever on apps

By

iPhone 7
App spending is on the rise.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

When it comes to buying apps, iPhone users aren’t afraid to bust out their wallets for good software.

Spending on iOS apps increased during 2016, according to the latest data from app analytics firm SensorTower which claims the average iPhone user spends $27 a year just on games.

iPhone owners spent about $40 on apps in total in 2016. That figure is up from $35 spent per user last year. Games took more than 80 percent of U.S. App Store revenue in 2016. Meanwhile music, entertainment and social networking apps were the next three most popular categories users spent money on.

app store chart
All the money is in games.
Photo: SensorTower

While the amount of cash games are able to rake in is impressive, one of the biggest standouts in SensorTower’s findings was that spending on entertainment apps shot up 130%. The rise thanks to the likes of HBO Now, Hulu and Netflix that allow users to subscribe through the App Store.

Despite the increase in spending, iPhone owners are actually downloading fewer apps per year. The study found that the number of app downloads per device dropped from 35 in 2015 to 33 in 2016.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.