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Consumer Trends in 2024: Mobile Spending and AI Apps

In a significant shift within the digital economy, Sensor Tower's recently published annual State of Mobile report for 2025 showcases remarkable changes in consumer spending patterns, particularly in mobile applications. As we delve into the findings of 2024, it becomes clear that the interplay between mobile usage and artificial intelligence has drawn consumers in like never before.

Record-Breaking Consumer Spending

For the year 2024, total consumer spending on mobile apps reached an astounding $150 billion, marking a 13% increase year-over-year (YoY). This spending pertains to in-app purchases and subscriptions driving the impressive figure. Interestingly, while app downloads experienced a slight decline to 136 billion (down by 1% YoY), the amount of time users dedicated to mobile applications surged to an overwhelming 4.2 trillion hours, reflecting a growth of 5.8% YoY.

Non-Gaming Apps Surge Ahead

Diving deeper into specific categories, it was observed that non-gaming apps continued to lead consumer spending trends. Interestingly, spending in non-gaming categories grew nearly $14 billion from the previous year, witnessing an impressive 25% YoY increase. Subgenres like Film & TV Streaming and Social Media topped the charts, with $11.9 billion and $11.7 billion spent respectively, showcasing users' interests in staying connected and entertained through these platforms.

The Rise of AI Apps

However, the true sensation of 2024 can be attributed to AI-driven applications. The growing enthusiasm around generative AI products resulted in consumers spending close to $1.1 billion on convenience-focused AI apps such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Doubao—a staggering 200% YoY growth. Additionally, engagement with these AI apps reached 7.7 billion hours, indicating consumers' appetite for utilizing AI technologies that enhance their daily applications. The sheer volume of 17 billion downloads attributed to apps emphasizing AI functionality underlines its remarkable increases in consumer interest.

Oliver Yeh, the CEO and co-founder of Sensor Tower, aptly noted: "Apps continue to capture consumer attention, particularly in non-games. And as consumers spend more time on mobile, they are becoming far more comfortable making purchases on their devices.”

The Future of Mobile Apps

As the mobile landscape evolves, app developers are adapting their monetization strategies to cater to heightened consumer interests. By innovating user experiences and streamlining digital processes, apps are not just becoming tools, they are evolving into essentials in users' daily lives. Looking forward, it is expected that numerous apps will continue to experiment with AI features, creating novel and immersive ways for users to interact.

While certain app categories like streaming are experiencing some withdrawal characterized by digital fatigue, other areas showcase steady growth. Notable phenomena emerged in the links between mobile technology and in-person experiences—Food & Drink apps benefitted significantly from integrated customer buying processes, reflecting a 9.2% YoY increase in user session counts.

Key Findings to Note

1. New Billion Dollar Club Members: The gaming industry welcomed four new entries into the billion-dollar club—Last War, Whiteout Survival, Dungeon Fighter, and Brawl Stars, marking their outstanding performance in consumer spending.
2. AI's Rapid Growth: ChatGPT achieved an impressive 50 million Monthly Active Users—a 500% YoY growth, outpacing other platforms like Disney+ and YouTube Music.
3. Financial App Development: The convenience offered by digital wallets and mobile banking has propelled finance apps into sustained double-digit growth, with nearly 7.5 billion downloads noted for the year.
4. Cryptocurrency's Popularity: Cryptocurrency apps gained traction with Binance and Tonkeeper ranking among the top ten finance apps by downloads.
5. E-tailers on Global Stages: Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu and SHEIN greatly expanded their reach globally, dominating downloads in the retail subgenre.
6. Streaming Market Saturation: As users face digital fatigue, engagement within streaming apps began to show slight reductions, making consumer loyalty increasingly valuable but challenging to sustain.

Conclusion

The 2025 State of Mobile Report casts a spotlight on fairly dynamic shifts in the app market landscape, emphasizing a growing consumer inclination towards AI integration and innovative app functionalities. As businesses assess these developments, the report serves as an essential resource for understanding changing market dynamics. Interested parties can explore more detailed findings and regional analyses in the complete report available on Sensor Tower's official website.

Founded in 2013, Sensor Tower has established its reputation as a reliable source for mobile app data, aiding brands and digital marketers alike in navigating the ever-evolving digital economy.

For further insightful analysis, visit Sensor Tower’s website.