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Apple's iOS App Store widens revenue lead over Google Play in Q1 2015

Source: App Annie

Apple strengthened its position over Google in mobile app market revenue during the first quarter of 2015, helped along by massive growth in China, a country that now downloads more apps than the U.S., according to a report by analytics firm App Annie issued on Tuesday.

According to the company's latest data, Google outpaced iOS in overall app downloads by some 70 percent, up from 60 percent in the third quarter of 2014, thanks in large part to emerging markets in Mexico, Turkey, Brazil and Indonesia. However, worldwide app revenue was inversely proportional, with iOS App Store revenues coming in approximately 70 percent higher than Google Play over the same period, up from 60 percent in quarter three 2014.

App Annie called China a "bright spot" for Apple, with downloads reflecting iPhone marketshare gains, but noted overall download numbers went to Google Play.

"Apple's larger-screen iPhone 6 and 6 Plus proved immensely popular in the Chinese market where consumers prefer bigger display smartphones," App Annie remarked. By February, Apple had seized 27.6 percent of the Chinese smartphone market.

The patterns are consistent with app trends over the past few years. Android downloads have eclipsed those of iOS, in large part because the platform can be adopted by any phone or tablet maker, whether they're making high- or low-end devices. iOS though has maintained a solid grip on revenues, keeping it the primary target of many developers.