Since the pandemic, the demand for mobile-first solutions across each industry has risen dramatically. As the modern-day world continues to evolve, the need for high-quality mobile apps grows as users rely on technology to assist them in their day-to-day lives.
In 2021, the mobile app market was worth $187.6 billion, with the total revenue expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2022-2026) of 9.27%, resulting in a projected market volume of $614.4 billion by 2026.
To keep your company at the forefront of innovation in this rapidly growing market, it’s essential to keep up with the latest mobile app development trends in 2023. In this article, we break down the trends our experts think will be a hit next year.
Topics Covered:
- AI & ML (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning)
- AR & VR (Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality)
- Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce)
- Cross-Platform Development
- IoT (Internet of Things)
- Progressive Web Apps
1. AI & ML (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning)
As AI becomes more mainstream, companies are using it to their advantage, such as using AI algorithms to increase user experience or AI chatbots to provide faster customer service providing quick assistance to common queries. Apps that make decisions based on real-time data are much more efficient than apps promoting suggested products to buy. The usage of this type of technology is set to increase with the advanced opportunities AI can bring for organisations.
In turn, ML is used to help developers to improve their AI systems, including reducing the amount of human error that programmers could have missed. Big Data can also help predict patterns to create personalised experiences, improve security, automate tasks and much more.
There are already some readily-available mobile apps that include AI components, such as chatbots, which help to create a more personalised experience for a consumer when ordering online. However, in more recent times, with technologies such as ChatGPT and AI Image Generators hitting the mainstream, it opens up more opportunities for further investments in developing AI capabilities.
For fun, we wanted to ask ChatGPT what mobile app trends it predicts for 2023…
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2. AR & VR (Augmented & Virtual Reality)
The use of AR within apps has boomed over the past few years and shows no sign of slowing down. They’re used to combine virtual information with reality and have become particularly popular within the B2C sector. Users can now try a pair of sunglasses on before purchasing from the comfort of their home, as well as being able to see if a new sofa or rug would look good in the living room. This trend has fully taken hold in private life and still offers many possibilities in B2B.
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AR can create unique user experiences to enhance a buying journey. For example, AR can be used to tell stories in the travel and tourism sector, such as a self-tour guide. The technology can direct the user around a location while showing key information and facts about the destination they’re currently in.
The B2C sector isn’t the only sector benefiting from this technology; many manufacturing companies are now using AR & VR to create apps to improve production lines with additional workers. Because of this, some manufacturing businesses have noted that operational costs have reduced and productivity levels have massively improved.
3. Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce)
How we shop has changed significantly over recent times as smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our busy everyday lives following the shift from cash to online transactions.
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With this rise, purchases made through mobile apps have spiked dramatically. This is known as mobile commerce (m-commerce), a type of eCommerce that allows consumers to buy and sell goods through a wireless handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet.
Examples of mobile commerce:
- In-app purchases
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Wallet)
- Browser purchasing
- Digital marketplaces
As digital wallets become integral to payments and purchasing features integrate more commonly with social media platforms such as TikTok, Meta and Instagram, m-commerce transactions will rapidly increase.
Experts from Statista predict UK mobile commerce retail sales will rise to £105.28 billion in 2024.
4. Cross-Platform Development
Cross Platform Development is the creation of applications that are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems, and since its creation, it’s continually evolving. By utilising a cross-platform mobile application development method, companies can create and deliver an app across multiple platforms, including the web.
Due to this, it makes targeting both iOS and Android platforms possible by creating a single app. This is a big win for development teams as it speeds up the development process.
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By using a single course code for several platforms, it accelerates the development time frame. But time isn’t the only factor cross-platform development benefits; mobile apps that are compatible across multiple platforms also benefit from plugins that are connected to cloud setups.
5. IoT (Internet of Things)
IoT is said to be one of the top trends in app development and has created a lot of opportunities for users and developers. IoT is a system of interrelated computing devices, digital and mechanical machines, objects, people or even animals that are given a unique identifier (UIDS). They have the capability to transfer data over a network without the need for human-to-human or human-to-machine interactions.
It can assist communication and interaction at all levels. This technology, along with internet facilities, is active in pretty much every device. It can be used across many sectors, with it becoming more valuable in sectors such as eCommerce, healthcare, logistics and much more.
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IoT has drastically changed the app development industry, with data exchanges between devices ensuring a more positive user experience. The greater visibility from data sharing is its most significant quality and has changed the way developers work on mobile apps in the present day.
There are almost no limits to the networking of users, processes and devices. This includes logistics processes, maintenance, production or repair. This method is becoming increasingly popular among businesses as the technologies make processes much faster and more efficient. And on top of that, the control system is primarily mobile. The IoT will likely continue being a hot app trend in the upcoming years.
6. Progressive Web Apps
PWA (progressive web apps) is another mobile application innovation that is set to become increasingly popular over the years to come. These types of apps are web apps that behave like native mobile applications. They are popular as they don’t take up storage space, are less reliant on a network and require less loading time.
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They’re a brilliant alternative for companies that haven’t got the funds to invest in an entire app. Due to them being web pages with app functionality, PWAs are much more accessible and easier to design compared to standard apps. They’re adaptable, automatically updated and interactive.
Although they’re not a new trend in the world of mobile app development, we suspect that with the rise of the cost of living, PWA’s may spike in popularity as they’re a more cost-effective way for businesses to get the results of having an app without the cost.
Final Thoughts
Mobile apps have taken over how we work throughout our personal and professional life. But the market is very competitive, and development cycles are short; therefore, it’s vital for your company to do extensive research. Some trends still require work to be done before they become most effective, but others can still bring remarkable profits if approached wisely.