Line introduces Lite app on Android Phones

However, over half of those users hail from just three countries – Japan, Thailand and Taiwan – adding to LINE’s failures of projecting itself as a global IM app.

It goes without saying that users will be able to exchange messages and photos for free with LINE Lite as well as LINE app users.

The lightweight app, weighing 912KB, features the same set of functionalities like the original app such as group texting, stickers, and image sharing. With this new app, Line is hoping that a smaller and less bloated version will help it gain traction with users in emerging markets who often have cheaper devices and more limited internet connections.

The app is being initially released in 11 countries – Algeria, Cambodia, Colombia, Egypt, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Vietnam. However, support for audio and video calls and the Timeline feature has been dropped.

Concerns have, however, been voiced that Japanese based Line Corporation’s existing business model could be under threat as it attempts to expand its user base further in emerging markets.

The Line Lite app is available to download from Google Play and requires Android 4.0 Jelly Bean or later OS version to run.

The new app which is 912 KB in size, has been designed from scratch to deliver a smoother experience and clearly to get more users on board, in areas where data networks are not up to the mark (or even close to it). That being said, it looks like the company is following in the footsteps of Facebook by launching LINE Lite.