Instagram is looking to further expand its reach by releasing a newly developed lightweight app for cheaper phones. Released on the Google Play store on Wednesday in Mexico, Instagram Lite takes up 573 Kilobytes as opposed to the 30 megabytes that the regular Instagram app takes up.
When asked, a Facebook representative indicated that the lite version will likely be released in more countries later this year. The representative wrote in an email, “We are testing a new version of Instagram for Android that takes up less space on your device, uses less data, and starts faster.”
Instagram Lite features many of the same functions that the regular app does like stories, filters and messaging function that will be added in the near future. However, the lite version will not feature Instagram’s newest feature, IGTV, that was introduced this month.
The introduction of a lite version is nothing new for social media apps. Instagram’s parent company, Facebook, introduced a lite version of their app back in 2015. This decision has proved to be largely successful. Facebook Lite currently has 100 million active users. Last month, Facebook reported that the lite version of their app had gained 25 million users in the month of May alone. While it appears the app is generally advertised towards emerging markets, it will be interesting to see if the lite version of Instagram gains traction in the United States when it is introduced.
