Singapore businesses are opting for a mobile-first strategy because APAC saw over 50% smartphone penetration last year. It claimed that the average smartphone user in Singapore had around 40 apps installed at a time on their smartphone. Most of these apps belong to the social media category as 64% of the population is active on social media according to We Are Social in 2016. The other major attraction is gaming as App Annie showed the top ranked at the Apple store being Minecraft, Clash Royale, Monopoly, Mobilestrike and of course the latest sensation, Uber.
Since the inception of mobile apps, users have been drawn to two main areas: Android and iOS. Windows is still very popular, but it's not the best operating system. Other operating systems are used by smaller segments of mobile app users. However, they do not occupy key positions in the mobile app market.
Position of Apple Singapore
Apple is a trusted brand among consumers and peers alike. Apple has a very focused marketing strategy, which is evident in iOS apps. Apple is in a class all its own and all the competition out there knows that. It has a strong presence all over Asia, especially Singapore, as the city is a thriving technology hub. Many of them are based here and working as freelancers for companies in the West that outsource. App users are accustomed to the best and gravitate towards iOS devices for that reason. The Next Web revealed that the country had the most iOS devices per population these past few years.
Google as seen in Singapore
Android is an entirely different story. Google's marketing strategy is very different from Apple's. These tech giants appear to be moving their brands in completely opposite directions. They have different goals, and their target audience isn't exactly the same. Most Asian economies are third world countries so a majority of smartphone users turn to Android.
The current status of Android and iOS apps is determined by several key factors.
Monetization of apps
App development is a business so like any other, it runs on money. You will see that all the top downloaded apps are free. Everyone loves free stuff and Singapore users are no different. Smartphones have raised expectations. App developers in Singapore are focusing on UX. Businesses are reluctant to release an app for free because of the amount of investment required to build it. Some excellent monetization strategies have been introduced such as in-app marketing. A lot of businesses currently offer free apps with premium plans that have paid advanced features.
This tactic is true for most Android apps at Google Play Store but iOS apps do not follow the same road. Apple users are loyal and will pay for premium apps. They are accustomed to paid apps. There game development opportunities are many iOS apps that offer multiple pricing options depending on what features you want. The trend towards free apps with premium plans is on the rise as App Annie displays the paid ones are mostly games like Minecraft on iOS.
Economy & budget
Apple is a well-known brand. You know that you're getting what you pay for.You can also get Game development jobs/working in Singapore. As iOS devices are well loved, app developers tend to give priority to this operating system. Of course, another factor comes in play here. Apps are all about user experience and usability. The app developer must consider the preferences of users. You can choose to use native iOS apps if your target audience is mostly upper-class. It is no secret that Apple devices and software is quite expensive as compared to that of Android. Those who can afford them invariably go for iPhone, iPads and other Apple devices.