Not everyone owns high-end phones with large storage, big RAM and powerful processor.
This is especially true for people in emerging markets.
For that reason, Instagram has released a lightweight version of its Android app, which should make things easier for those who own low-end phones or older phones to install and download the app. Called Instagram Lite, it's Instagram's version of a more friendly app on low storage devices and spotty connections.
The app is just at 573KB. This is significantly smaller as it is only 1/55th the size of the original app at 33MB.
"The Instagram Lite app is small, allowing you to save space on your phone and download it quickly," said Instagram on Google Play Store's description.
What users can do with the app, include filtering and posting photos to the feed or Stories, watch Stories, and browse the Explore page. But due to its size, Instagram doesn't pack the app with messaging feature or the ability to upload videos, at least initially.
Instagram Lite should appeal those in developing countries, where Facebook aims for the next billion people to come online for the first time. Those people are more likely to purchase low-cost mobile devices with limited access to connectivity and data.
By making its app more easier to download and perform on low-end devices, Facebook is certain that this is the key to growing its user base around the world.
Facebook has Facebook Lite, as well as Messenger Lite.
Twitter also has a Lite app of its own, and so as Google with Android Go, which is an optimized version of Android tailored for those emerging markets.
As for Instagram, the social media has been a little late. But still, it has managed to sustain a good growth by adding roughly 300 million users in just over a year, reaching 1 billion users.
It has also updated and patched, as well as packed more features to its service, including group video calls, support for longer videos, introducing tools for curating saved posts, and improving discovery with tweaks to its Explore tab.
The release of Instagram Lite follows Instagram’s revamped mobile website that was launched in May, also designed for the developing world.
With this Lite app, Instagram aims to appeal those people who haven't been to Instagram, or those who haven't ever shared a photo on the web yet.
Initially, Instagram Lite is available to a limited number of countries, and can be downloaded and used on Android 5.0 Lollipop.