Three Chinese apps and two AI apps rank in the top 10 of free downloads on the Spanish-language iPhone, while WhatsApp remains the last bastion of traditional messaging. Much more than a messaging app: WhatsApp is religion in Spain.

Why is it important?. This ranking marks an interesting shift in the digital habits of Spaniards – at least those with iPhones – as they embrace Asian e-commerce and generative AI, while maintaining social connections via the ancestral route of WhatsApp.

in detail. Temu, Chinese platform “ultra fast fashion“, won first place. A much-admired milestone that says a lot about the level of influence he has achieved in Spain.

• The mix of not-so-high salaries and the inflation that has accumulated over the last three years has created fertile ground for those promising ridiculous prices.

While his compatriot Shein follows him in fifth place, Hacoo completes the Asian trident in ninth place.

between the lines. ChatGPT’s third place also shows that generative AI is rapidly being adopted in Spain: Users are looking for tools that increase their productivity and creativity. A phenomenon that contradicts the unbridled consumption frenzy suggested by Asian practices.

Coming in at number eight, WhatsApp (more than just a unified app) continues its hegemony as the undisputed queen of messaging in Spain. This shows that although we Spaniards are rapidly adopting innovations such as ChatGPT or Temu, we retain our roots in social communication through WhatsApp.

turning point. The fact that a classic social network like Facebook is not in the top 10 indicates the end of an era. Threads and TikTok are bridging this gap and reinforcing the generational shift evident in social content consumption.

By the way, this ranking shows a society that is increasingly digital in its purchasing habits: It is becoming increasingly common to see e-commerce applications in the top 10. Payment apps, on the other hand, focus on productivity and personal well-being.

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Featured image | Xataka with Mockuuups Studio