App Updates Are Leading To Over 4000% Of Storage Change


  • A recent study analyzed apps in four main categories – communication, navigation, work, and social media – to identify how much data volume grows over time. 
  • During the past ten years, the average file size of Video Games has changed from 45 MB to 1955 MB, the biggest increase among apps.
  • Video Games expanded their file size by 40 times.

A recent study by TRG Datacenters aimed to identify how much data volume grows over time by collecting apps in four main categories—communication, navigation, work, and social media. The download sizes of these apps were traced over time using the Wayback Machine. The study also gathered data on the most sold phones from 2014 to 2024, focusing on their photo, video, and non-expandable memory characteristics. By calculating the average non-expandable memory and the sizes of photos and videos, the study compared these sizes over the years to determine the file size change both in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB) and as a percentage.

App Updates Are Leading To Over 4000% Of Storage Change
App Updates Are Leading To Over 4000% Of Storage Change

Video Games

Type of data – Entertainment
Overall Change – 4344%

From 2014 to 2024, video game file sizes have grown dramatically, increasing from 45 MB to a peak of 2000 MB in 2024. This represents a 4344% increase, with the most significant jumps occurring after 2017. This sharp rise highlights the growing complexity and enhanced graphics of video games, which demand much larger storage space over time.

Photos

Type of data – Entertainment, Work
Overall Change – 217%

The average file size of photos has seen a moderate increase from 3 MB in 2014 to a peak of 9.5 MB in 2023 before slightly decreasing to 7 MB in 2024. As a result, the app saw a 217% growth throughout the ten years, reflecting advancements in camera technology.

Videos

Type of data – Entertainment, Work
Overall Change – 733%

The file size of videos per minute has grown from 60 MB in 2014 to 500 MB in 2024, a 733% increase. This growth is primarily due to the transition from lower resolution to 4K and even higher video quality, requiring more storage capacity for each minute of footage.

Facebook

Type of data – Entertainment, Social Media
Overall Change – 650%

Facebook’s file size grew from 40 MB in 2014 to a peak of 300 MB in 2024, a 650% increase. This significant growth emphasizes the platform’s expansion in functionalities, including video streaming, marketplace, and more sophisticated social networking features.

Twitter/X

Type of data – Entertainment, Social Media
Overall Change – 367%

Twitter’s file size increased by 367%, from 30 MB in 2014 to a peak of 140 MB in 2024. This growth highlights the platform’s evolution in handling richer media content, including videos, images, and live-streaming features.

Instagram

Type of data – Entertainment, Social Media
Overall Change – 456%

Instagram saw a 456% increase in file size, growing from 45 MB in 2014 to a peak of 250 MB in 2024. This rise reflects the app’s shift toward more visually intensive content, such as high-resolution photos, videos, and stories.

Average Non-Expandable Memory

Type of Data – Available Storage On Mobile Device 

Overall change – 2300%

The average non-expandable memory of devices has increased by 2300%, from 16 GB in 2014 to a peak of 384 GB in 2024. This exponential growth highlights the increasing demands of apps, media, and data storage over time, necessitating larger internal storage capacities in modern devices.

A spokesperson from TRG Datacenters commented on the study: “This evolution is not just about adding more features; it’s about enhancing the overall experience with richer content and stronger functionalities. Interestingly, while some apps have expanded significantly, others have focused on refining their efficiency, balancing growth with optimization. As apps continue to evolve, this shift will undoubtedly influence how we approach storage, design, and user experience in the years to come.”



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