iPhone Users Spent Average of $138 on Apps Last Year

The average iPhone user spent 38 percent more in 2020 on premium apps and in-app purchases than the year before, reaching a total average spend of $138 per ‌iPhone‌ in the United States, according to new research conducted by Sensor Tower.

app store blue banner
2020 was a record year for App Store spending, with more than ever being spent per ‌iPhone‌ user. Although ‌App Store‌ sales grew by 42 percent in 2016, the 38 percent growth in 2020 significantly exceeds the 27 percent year-on-year increase seen between 2018 and 2019 when it rose from $79 to $100.
us iphone revenue per device 2015 to 2020

In particular, per-device spending on mobile games saw explosive growth in 2020, jumping from $53.80 in 2019 to $76.80 for year-on-year growth of 43 percent. The biggest source of spending on mobile games was in the Puzzle category, which includes games like Candy Crush Saga and Gardenscapes.

us iphone category revenue per device 2020
In addition to mobile games, per-iPhone spending in the Entertainment category boomed, reaching $10.20, which is an increase of 26 percent over the $8.10 spent in 2019.

This large increase in consumer spending per ‌iPhone‌ mirrored overall global trends, which saw consumers spending more overall last year as they turned to their mobile devices during the global health crisis. Average consumer spending on apps per ‌iPhone‌ in the U.S. has grown markedly each year by at least 20 percent, but it is yet to be seen if the trend will continue into 2021.

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Top Rated Comments

alexandr Avatar
56 months ago
i sure brought that average down)
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cardfan Avatar
56 months ago
It’s cute seeing those that spend on iPhones each year bragging they don’t spend on apps. I’ve spent zero look at me. Ain’t I special? Lol.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
56 months ago
Well that certainly doesn’t include me ? I spent 0$ cuz anything I am remotely interested in changed to subscription models and I am like big NOPE. For instance I am glad I bought Pillow and Ad Guard a few years ago and they didn’t force me to use their subscription model yet
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sarkany Avatar
56 months ago
I spent all of $0 because everything is subscription now.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnyb098 Avatar
56 months ago
The same people who say $5 is too much to pay for an app but will spend hundreds on gems ?

Silly humans.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostface147 Avatar
56 months ago
I didn’t spend that kind of money. Not even close.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)