Facebook hints its app is sluggish by releasing Facebook Lite [updated: APK download link added]

We all know that the Facebook app is one of the biggest and most resource-hungry apps on Android. But it seems like Facebook is finally admitting it as well, by releasing a new version of the app called Facebook Lite. Intended for lower-end and older Android devices, the more streamlined app might also be the solution to your sluggish Facebook woes, no matter which phone you have or where you live.

If Facebook is too bulky for you, why not try Facebook Lite? 

For starters, Facebook Lite is much smaller: at just 252 KB, it pales in comparison to the 130 MB of the regular Facebook app. You read that right: Facebook Lite is one five hundredth the size of the standard app.

The app has been designed to run on Android devices with far lower specs than the usual flagship devices and has been released as a trial in various Asian and African countries. Despite rejigging the main app last year for emerging markets, Facebook evidently realized even more elbow grease was required.

Facebook Lite may be pared back, but it's 1/500th the size of the regular app

Facebook Lite also works on poor quality internet connections, meaning that regardless of where you are, if you're using Facebook Lite you'll get more Facebook out of the Lite version when your Wi-Fi or data signal drops. From what we can see there are also no auto-play videos in the stream either.

The Lite app is based on Facebook's feature phone service Snaptu, but you'll still have access to push notifications and other indispensable Android features like camera integration and chat.

All the essential Facebook features are present in Facebook Lite. 

How to download Facebook Lite

Facebook hasn't made any official announcement yet on the app, and this may just remain a trial that never sees a wider release, but there's nothing stopping you from grabbing the app and installing it right alongside the normal Facebook app right now to see what you think.

Facebook LiteINSTALL

If the above Play Store link doesn't work for you, simply grab the Facebook Lite APK and install it yourself. You'll have to have Unknown Sources enabled in your security settings for this to work though.

It's definitely worth a look in any case: who wouldn't want a less resource-hungry Facebook app with a smaller storage footprint and better data management?