Facebook Lite is a stripped-down version of Facebook designed to provide a better experience for users with slower internet connections or older phones. Since launching in 2015, Facebook Lite has grown in popularity, especially in developing countries where mobile data is expensive and smartphone adoption lags behind wealthier nations.
What is Facebook Lite?
Facebook Lite is a lightweight version of Facebook for Android smartphones. At less than 1MB, the app is much smaller than the main Facebook app for Android (which can be over 100MB). Facebook Lite retains core Facebook features like News Feed, Status Updates, Photos, Events and more, while leaving out less commonly used features to reduce the app’s size.
Some key features of Facebook Lite include:
- Small app size – under 1MB
- Data saver mode – reduces data usage by not automatically downloading videos and images
- Works on 2G networks and low-end Android phones
- SMS integration – lets you post status updates via SMS if you don’t have mobile data
Facebook Lite is intended for people with older phones, limited storage space, or expensive and/or slow mobile data connections. It provides the core Facebook experience in a very small, fast loading app.
Who uses Facebook Lite?
Facebook Lite usage is concentrated in developing countries where advanced smartphones are less common and mobile data is more expensive compared to wealthier nations. Some key user demographics include:
- Developing countries – Facebook Lite has its highest usage rates in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.
- 2G networks – In countries still relying on slower 2G networks, Facebook Lite provides better performance.
- Low-end phones – Lower-spec, budget Android phones often run Facebook Lite better than the full app.
- Limited data plans – For people without unlimited mobile data, Facebook Lite helps reduce data consumption.
Facebook Lite fills a need for an accessible Facebook experience for the next billion users coming online in emerging markets. It allows people to participate in Facebook even with major connectivity and device constraints.
Why People Choose Facebook Lite Over Full Facebook
There are several key reasons why Facebook Lite users prefer the light version over the full Facebook app:
Smaller app size
At less than 1MB, Facebook Lite takes up very little storage space on phones. This is important for cheaper phones with limited internal storage. The full Facebook app can be over 100MB, too large for many entry-level Android phones.
Faster performance on low-end phones
Facebook Lite provides a more optimized Facebook experience for weaker processors and limited RAM on budget Android phones. Simple navigation and stripped down features make the app quick loading and smooth running on cheap devices where the main Facebook app would be painfully slow.
Saves mobile data usage
The Data Saver mode in Facebook Lite reduces mobile data consumption by not automatically downloading videos and images unless the user selects them. This allows people with limited, expensive mobile data plans to better control data usage.
Works with unstable 2G connections
Facebook Lite handles slow, unstable 2G internet connections better than the full Facebook app. Where 2G speeds cause the main app to crash or stall, Facebook Lite provides a more graceful experience.
SMS integration
If a user doesn’t have mobile data at a certain time, Facebook Lite lets them post status updates via SMS. This provides connectivity even when data service is temporarily unavailable.
Familiar Facebook experience
Despite being a stripped down app, Facebook Lite retains the familiar Facebook look and functionality that users around the world recognize. This provides an accessible entry point to Facebook for new internet users getting online every day.
Features Removed in Facebook Lite
To trim down the size and complexity of the full Facebook app, Facebook Lite removes a number of features. While this limits capabilities compared to the main Facebook app, it improves performance on low-end devices. Some of the major features removed include:
- Live video
- Augmented reality filters and games
- Camera integration
- Events discovery
- Friend request notifications
- News article formatting
In general, multimedia features like video and camera integration are reduced, along with newer capabilities like augmented reality. The focus is on retaining the core News Feed experience and communications functions like Messaging and Groups.
Performance Comparisons
Just how much faster and smaller is Facebook Lite compared to the main Facebook app? Here are some statistics:
| Facebook Lite | Full Facebook App | |
|---|---|---|
| App Size | Under 1MB | Varies by version, typically 100-300MB |
| Data Usage | Data saver mode uses 80% less data on average | No data saving mode |
| Launch Time | Under 3 seconds on average | Can take over 10 seconds on low-end phones |
As the above comparison shows, the performance gains of Facebook Lite are substantial, especially on low-end smartphones common in developing countries. Smaller app size takes up less storage space. Data saver mode significantly reduces data usage by not auto-loading videos and images. And launch times are much faster as the app size is optimized for entry-level Android phones.
Growth of Facebook Lite
Since launching in 2015, Facebook Lite has seen strong uptake in developing countries. Here is a look at the growth trajectory of the app:
- Launched – June 2015, initially available in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
- 100 million users – September 2016, within 15 months of launch.
- 200 million users – November 2017, available in over 100 countries.
- 300 million users – September 2018, with popularity in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa.
Facebook has not provided an official update on Facebook Lite users since September 2018. However, all indications point to continued growth in 2019 and beyond as more users come online in emerging markets. Third party estimates put Facebook Lite global users at over 400-500 million currently.
User Experience
What’s the user experience actually like using Facebook Lite compared to the main Facebook app? Here are some common observations:
- Very fast load times and smooth scrolling on budget phones where full Facebook struggles.
- Streamlined navigation and simplified design focuses on core tasks.
- Data saver mode makes a big difference in reducing data usage.
- Occasional bugs and UI quirks due to it being a stripped down experience.
- Missing some newer features only available in the main Facebook app.
- SMS integration helpful for posting when data connectivity is unavailable.
Overall, Facebook Lite provides a solid social media experience tailored for slower networks and lower-end devices. Performance is excellent on old phones, and data saver controls help users save on mobile costs. The streamlined interface enables easy connection and communication, even on 2G networks. While some newer features are unavailable, Facebook Lite makes the core Facebook experience more accessible.
Criticisms of Facebook Lite
Facebook Lite has faced some criticism, including:
- Users have less control over data usage compared to the full app.
- Some see it as an inferior “developing world” version of Facebook.
- SMS integration raises privacy concerns about sharing mobile numbers.
- Stripped down experience loses some functionality from the main Facebook app.
Facebook Lite does involve some trade-offs in capabilities compared to the full app. Data controls, while useful to save data, also reduce user choice in when to load images/video. The simplicity has benefits in performance, but also feels limiting at times vs the main app. SMS integration improves posting availability, but may scare off users unwilling to provide their number.
The Future of Facebook Lite
Facebook Lite has succeeded in providing an optimized Facebook experience for weaker devices and networks common in developing countries. Its popularity has steadily risen as emerging markets come online. However, there are some uncertainties about Facebook Lite’s future:
- As cheaper smartphones advance, will Facebook Lite still be necessary?
- Can Facebook expand the app’s capabilities without bloating its size?
- Will Facebook eventually shut down Facebook Lite as all users transition to smartphones?
For now, Facebook Lite fills an important role in making social media accessible to the next billion users. Its strengths in performance and data usage outshine limitations in features. But over time, Facebook will have to keep evaluating if Facebook Lite remains the right long-term solution.
Conclusion
Facebook Lite enables an optimized Facebook experience for older phones, slower networks and limited data plans common in developing nations. Its lightweight build provides fast performance even on low-end smartphones where the main Facebook app would struggle. Advanced data compression technology reduces mobile data usage, helping users save on costly data plans. And integrated SMS functions allow basic posting even without a data connection. While Facebook Lite trails the main app in features, its strengths in speed and performance are crucial for the next billion emerging market users coming online.