Even with the file size being large, they could still have kept it going. Android users could use their home internet and PC to download the apk and then transfer it to the Android.
Or use a download manager to make it easier to download to Android, most keep it going for a while and save it's progress so the download doesn't have to be started all over again.
I'm currently playing a 6 gb apk on my phone so I don't see the issue with memory or storage being a good reason to end the apk version.