Mobile App Development Trends 2023: What’s New and What’s Next?

Summary: When you think about mobile applications, the first thing that strikes your mind are the apps like Facebook, Zomato, Uber, and many more. With more than 10 billion mobile application downloads every month, mobile application development has become one of the fastest growing sectors today. No doubt, mobile applications are here to change your life!

Mobile app development market is evolving every day and expanding beyond your imagination. The emergence of most incredible technologies from AR/VR, Beacons, IoT to 5G networks, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning has given a boom to this industry. 

Super apps, On-demand apps, and Instant apps have undoubtedly taken the role of a “life savior” for majority of people post lockdown. Also, apps for learning, gaming, entertainment, shopping, and payments also grabbed a lot of attention during this time. 

All these new technologies and apps have become an integral part of mobile app market today. Therefore, it is essential to stay in touch with the new trends that will be seen this year. Come let’s check which trends are going to blow our minds in 2023!

The evolution of mobile app development industry has taken a drastic change in the recent past. Living in the 21^st era, can you imagine staying a day without using a single mobile app? Seems impossible right! Mobile apps have made life so much easier that every generation – be it a kid or an elder person – they are all stuck with just one small device – smartphones.

There are millions of app people are using to make their life easier. But do you know which apps stand out in those millions of apps? You cannot even make a guess unless you are well familiar with all the latest mobile app trends of 2023. 

According to Statista, total revenue for app market is expected to show an annual growth rate of 7.13%, resulting in projected market volume of US $2.4 million by 2027. The latest emerging technologies and changing customer behavior will continue to shape new mobile app potentials everyday leading to many more opportunities and challenges with a twist of latest mobile app trends.

Therefore, if you want a hands-on experience on latest mobile app trends, then you are on the right page! Let us now deep dive into the most amazing mobile app development trends for 2023 that is going to change your life in coming years.

Let us look at the top 25 mobile app trends that will dominate the app market in 2023.

1) The Emergence of 5G Technology

New technological advancements has lead smart minds to develop new applications and improve the existing ones. In such a scenario, 5G has become of the most eye catching mobile app trends in 2023. 5G technology has altered the way of using smartphones and building new mobile apps. You are just one click away to access anything you want with increased speed efficiency and reduced latency.

Let us take a glimpse at the impact of 5G on Mobile App Development for a better understanding:

• 5G network will help in implementing IoT seamlessly allowing applications to easily interoperate smart gadgets, wearable technology, and sensor based machines.
• Applications running on 5G network will provide enhanced video streaming leading to multimedia-rich user experience.
• Developers will be able to incorporate AR and VR into their mobile applications with high 5G speed efficiency.
• 5G network will help in revolutionizing mobile app development based on 3D features, including immersive gaming and 3D printing.
• 5G network’s improved connectivity will help in boosting the functionality of navigational applications.

Therefore, 5G technology will accommodate next generation mobile apps and provide enhanced user experience with less latency, high speed, and improved connection density. This will eventually lead to improved user retention rates and app income.

2) Foldable Devices & App Development

Foldable devices are establishing new trends in the global smartphone market by offering valuable features and new potentials to its customers. According to Statista Data, the foldable smartphones is anticipated to grow considerably, reaching over US $105 billion by 2025.

Therefore, it is necessary to advance high-end smartphone market by providing improved mobile apps on foldable devices and creating it as one of the most challenging mobile app trends in 2023.

The rising demand of foldable devices will impact the app development process which in turn will benefit the developers to curate immersive experiences for various multi-window display types. 

This mobile app trend can be taken to the next level by developing apps with foldable devices and different screen sizes. Let us look at some of the amazing developments that will help the users as well as the developers in increasing their efficacy:

• They will be able to use different orientations for streaming videos.
• They will be able to open multiple banking information in multi-window and complete their hassle-free transactions.
• It will be easier to toggle between multiple apps.
• Gaming experience will be taken to a higher level by altering the screen size according to the player’s convenience and adding extra spaces for game controls.

3) Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook has said that AR will one day be as important in our everyday lives as “eating three meals a day.” AR and VR are not the upcoming trends in app development but they are “here now” from health industry, entertainment, shopping to organization and navigations, and marketing.

According to a survey, AR and VR technology market is expected to reach up to USD $114.5 billion by the year 2027 at a market growth rate of 25.3%.

AR has paved its way in almost each and every industry and has become one of the most important mobile app trends of 2023. Even the biggest technology companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have made serious commitments in developing new technologies in this domain. People are using AR features every day in brands without even realizing. Let us look at some of the innovative examples which is providing rich user experience:

• Pokemon GO captured the whole world in 2016 by its amazing AR experience taking gaming industry to a new innovative level.
• IKEA uses AR features to help customers visualize products in their own space before making a purchase.
• Asos, a clothing brand uses AR feature called Virtual Catwalk to visualize 100 Asos Design products and “digitally fit” clothing onto models.
• Sephora, a makeup brand also uses AR features to help customers see what certain product might look on their own face.

Therefore, AR and VR technology is playing a huge role as an emerging mobile app trend in 2023. Companies are investing in such advanced technologies and providing space for new and innovative mobile app development for the public to use.

4) Wearable Technology Integration

Wearable technology has opened a world of possibilities which was almost non-existent. The implications of wearables have become so extensive that it could not be seen in laptops and smartphones. The sensory and scanning features of wearables have set new standards in the market making is as one of the most essential mobile app trends in 2023.

According to the data, the global wearable technology market size is expected to surpass around USD $392.4 billion by 2030.

Wearables are changing the dimensions for mobile applications making it as an emerging trend in the market.

Wearables are providing a breakthrough in development of new mobile applications like: 

• Chaning screen sizes through mobile applications
• Development of lightweight apps for better functionality and increased speed
• Development of customizable notifications like voice memos, different colored signals for wearable devices
• Seamless data transmission through mobile apps 
• Higher level interface between the user and the hardware

Wearable technology has impacted various domains such as fitness, healthcare, education, transport, communication, gaming, and many more due to which the demand for custom mobile applications have increased two-fold. 

5) Rise of Low Code/No Code App Development

The demand for low code/no code app development has grown drastically in the recent years with new business opportunities coming up every day making it a crucial mobile app trend in 2023.

This development is gaining traction as new companies seek to improve efficiency and rationalize their operations. Organizations need each and every information in just one click which is only possible by boosting the application development process with low-code platforms. 

Low code app development is taking place as an app trend due to following reasons:

• It provides user easy and quick way to manage the workflow.
• It provides high speed development cycle without developing huge codes and programs.
• It requires fewer resources in developing an application which in turn helps in cost reduction.
• It has lower bug issues due to lower amount of coding leading to better functionality.
• It allows users to have a clear picture of the application and helps in managing customer needs.

Therefore, low code has now become the future for mobile app development. 

6) Mobile Entertainment and Gaming Apps

Is there anyone who hasn’t heard about Netflix, Amazon Prime or YouTube? Mobile entertainment and gaming apps have taken the world by storm. The impact of the entertainment and gaming industry has increased worldwide. 

Can you go a day without watching your favorite TV series or playing your favorite game? From playing PUBG the whole day to binge watching Netflix, your life is revolving around the entertainment and mobile apps keeping it as one of the top most mobile app trends in 2023.

According to the latest projections, mobile gaming content market will surpass US $173.4 billion by 2026 as mobile adoption and smartphone usage continue to hit peaks. 

By presenting every tiny detail on your smartphone screen and making it simpler for the user to obtain every piece of information while unwinding and having fun, mobile applications have in some ways transformed the gaming and entertainment industries. Therefore, it is necessary for the mobile app development companies to focus on providing more customizable designs and easy sharing options.

7) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in App Development

“Hey Siri, can you please play my favorite song?”

“Hey Alexa, what is the weather forecast today?”

You must have also asked some of the similar questions from Siri or Alexa. But do you know Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa are the most loved AI-best consumer technology? These technologies have also raised the bars of mobile app development trends in 2023.

AI and ML have started taking a central space in our lives and has changed the way we think and move at every step of our lives. From choosing your favorite filter on Snapchat to setting your Netflix preferences, you will find presence of AI and ML everywhere.

AI and ML have taken a command over all tech-focused areas of mobile app development. Every industry, from healthcare to banking, has benefited from the development of mobile apps with AI and ML enabled features, paving the way for success in every sector. Some of the most exciting mobile app trends prompted by AI and ML are discussed below:

• In built face recognition features on your smartphones.
• Voice assistants and chatbots enhancing customer experience.
• Google and Microsoft using advanced algorithms with the help of Machine Learning to improve search engines.
• Online food delivery apps used on your phones to predict customer behavior and recommend relevant food items.

It will be worth checking out new mobile app trends prompted by AI and ML in 2023 turning our lives upside down once again!

8) Mobile App Security & Privacy

Let us take a step back and look at the year 2022. While the mobile app security industry was gaining commendable recognition in the recent past, it was still in the early stages of development pertaining to security being depolarized.

A report of 150 mobile finance apps shows that at least one critical security vulnerability could be found in 84% of Android and 70% of iOS applications.

Therefore, it is necessary for the developers to take a more active role in mobile application security in 2023 to mitigate risk. As a result, mobile security and privacy has turned out to be one of the most vital mobile app trends of 2023.

9) Super Apps

Super apps have taken a strong hold in Asia and Africa and is an emerging trend in the West with its amazing consolidated products and services. Business organizations are now shifting towards one-stop solution apps that can cater their multiple requirements due to which it has become a popular trend and an up forward approach for all the mobile app development companies. 

From China’s WeChat to Latin America’s Rappi, super apps are the norm in many nations today and have revolutionized everything from online markets to digital financial institutions. One such trending app in India is Tata Neu that has made a euphoric feeling among the public. 

The app provides hotel reservations, travel reservations, food orders, and quick loans, with plans to expand into micro-financing, micro-insurance, buy now & pay later, and other services in the future – a one stop solution to every necessity! 

Super apps have the ability to combine experiences that were once separated due to barriers between industries. Even if they might not completely replace all of the apps on a smartphone, these apps will probably alter what customers expect from a mobile-first experience. Therefore, super apps are definitely mobile app trend that is worth checking out in 2023.

10) Mobile Commerce and P2P Apps

In today’s era, customers have become reliable on mobile commerce applications for purchasing goods and services anytime and from anywhere. Such applications have made lives convenient and adaptable – making it latest mobile app trends in 2023.

Mobile app development market has reached its peak since the launch of App Store and Play Store. According to a projection, mobile ecommerce sales are going to exceed US $510 billion in 2023 and $710 billion in 2025. Another research from Shopify shows that mobile phones and tablets were the preferred shopping channels on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2019, accounting for 69% of total sales.

Another latest mobile app trend seen in recent year is P2P payment apps where people find it easier to use online banking and mobile banking. There is now no need to carry your wallets or worry about your cash being stolen due to evolution of P2P apps.

One of the market research agencies – Precedence Research published in a report that the global P2P payment market was valued at USD 1.89 trillion in 2021 and is expected to hit around USD 9.87 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.16% during the forecast period 2022 to 2030.

Therefore, development of mobile commerce and P2P payment apps is on-demand and has become a necessity for the developers to create such apps with customizable features and improved technology so that users can access it the most convenient manner.

11) Blockchain Integration in Mobile Apps

Blockchain technology has revolutionized several industries including healthcare, education, finance, real estate and now it has made advances into mobile app development sector making it as one of the most popular app trends in 2023. Mobile apps and software developers are utilizing it to address various flaws because of its decentralized architecture. 

As per the Statista Data,  the global blockchain technology market is estimated to accumulate US $39 billion in revenue by 2025.

Let us now see how blockchain technology has helped mobile app development in becoming a popular trend in recent years:

• It increases data privacy which aids in making apps more secure. Also, the risk of third party apps reduces due to its decentralized architecture.
• Development of mobile apps through blockchain brings transparency and lessens risk of fake transactions and fraudulent information.
• Mobile application’s stability can be increased thanks to blockchain, which has a reliable infrastructure.
• Developing mobile-based blockchain application is cost-efficient and saves time of the developers leading to rich customer experience.

12) Predictive Analytics for Mobile Apps 

 Predictive analysis is gaining traction at a very fast pace due to its high-end analytical techniques which aids in making predictions of future events. Today, business organizations are able to accurately predict behavior and trends by using predictive analysis tools which has made it as an essential mobile app trend of 2023.

According to MarketsandMarkets, predictive analytics market is predicted to reach USD 28.1 billion over the next five years, at a CAGR of 22.17% during the forecast period. 

Although the term has been there for years, but it is completely new for the mobile app development and is becoming as an emerging trend now. Mobile developers can create edge-cutting, high performing applications using potential advantages of preventive analytics. 

Everyone knows about the shopping app Amazon but do you know Amazon uses predictive analytics to cater your needs based on past purchases and browsing history? Same way IT giant Google uses predictive analytics to come up with search terms based on your location, religion preference and browsing history. If you look around, you will be able to find predictive analytics being used in your day to day lives!

Predictive analytics can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the overall user experience and increased efficiency of their mobile applications. Let’s see how predictive analytics is becoming the future for mobile applications in 2023:

• Predictive analytics provides a crystal clear picture to customers regarding the ways they can interact and engage with their apps.
• Business organizations offers customers with tailored messages and information, further customizing the whole experience in the mobile apps.
• Predictive analytics aids in identifying app-related bugs that forces customer to uninstall the apps. This makes easier for the organizations to look for the core problem and its solution effectively.
• Predictive analytics for mobile apps also helps organizations know about the details of the device and its operating system that they choose to access the app. 

Therefore, predictive analytics is a clear insight to gain a thorough understanding of the new trends of mobile app development that will surely be seen in 2023.

13) Internet of Things Enabled Mobile Apps 

Internet of Things is the new revolution in the human era today! It has the power to change the way we work, play, and live. The app developers are using IoT to build applications which can enhance customers’ quality of life, due to which it has taken a space in the list of one of the latest mobile app trends of 2023. 

With IoT, there are countless opportunities for developing mobile applications. The potential for new and creative applications will only increase as more and more devices and people get connected in this whole new era of tech.

According to IoT Analytics’ Global IoT Enterprise Spending Dashboard, the IoT market size is projected to expand at a CAGR of 22% to reach a valuation of $525 billion by 2027. 

IoT is innovating each and every sector be it healthcare or hospitality. Also, the “smart homes” have surged the world by its most amazing features making it as an independent version of smart city. IoT is by and far influencing the mobile app development and is going to beat the world with its new trends in 2023. 

Therefore, developers should be ready get ready for the greater demand for connected devices and start working towards building products suitable to all kinds of simulated or physical gadgets, and not only smartphones. 

14) Beacon Technology Integration in Mobile Apps 

Imagine receiving personalized coupons and early sale access with heavy discounts on your favorite store! Yes this is possible with beacon technology. An interesting fun fact about this technology is that it does not even uses your Wi-Fi connection to receive your favorite deals on your smartphones! This location-based technology uses “Bluetooth Low Energy” and provides you with every info within a general location parameters. Now can you imagine not including such a technology in our list of mobile app trends of 2023?

Google and Apple were the biggest techs to use beacon technology in 2013. Its fame grew largely dure to its high level customization and easy access to all features in seconds. Today, thousands of stores are using this technology to implement automation and convenience for their customers. 

The prominence of mobile app development firms can be increased two-fold using this beacon technology. According to Google poll survey, it was found out that 82% of people use their smartphones to research about products and their prices before making any purchase. 

Therefore, mobile app development will not only give a boost to technical companies but also to marketing sector to a great extent. Below are the two examples that has given a boost to the mobile app firms and has entered out list of latest mobile app trends of 2023.

• Notifying customers about the special deals and offers when they are within the location of your store.
• Notifying the users if they have entered a prohibited area through the smartphones.

With the increasing popularity, it will be interesting to check what are app developers will bring to the table in 2023 with this amazing beacon technology. 

15) Instant Apps 

You must have sometimes noticed “Try Now” button for certain apps on the Google Play Store page. Once clicked, you can use the app without completely downloading it. This gives an access to some functionality without requiring you to host it entirely, as a result, without using much storage space.

One interesting instant app is Evino where users were able to get special offers and learn about wide range of wines without originally downloading it.

One of the key advantages of these instant apps is the simple testability which enables users to familiarize themselves with new applications fast and easily. Therefore, instant apps will surely top the list of mobile app trend in 2023 with its growing traction.

16) Cloud Computing Integration in Mobile Apps

You all must have undoubtedly experienced receiving a notification on your phone screens – “your phone storage is full!”

Cloud computing has provided us with a solution for this notification that pops on your screen. Instead of purchasing and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access applications directly via internet and boost up your phone’s performance hand in hand.

Today, people have become dependent on the cloud storages for most of their work. It is also estimated that 31% of organizations expect to run 75% of their workloads in the cloud by 2023. 

Let us check how cloud computing has taken the place of one of the most growing trend of mobile app development in 2023:

• Building a mobile app with cloud computing feature reduces the need for creating an application for multiple platforms.
• All the data is stored on the cloud storage and can be accessed via internet so it does not require additional space on your mobile phones.
• As all the date is stored on the server, the chances of losing your data becomes minimal.
• Cloud computing technology helps app developers to reduce their time in managing the server while building the app.

This makes it clear the cloud computing trends are going to play an interesting role in the mobile app development industry and can provide developers a relief in terms of features and functionalities.

17) On Demand Services Mobile Apps 

Not well and want to book a doctor’s appointment? Or do you want to book a ride to your favorite destination? The first thing that comes to you mind are these amazing on-demand service mobile apps like Practo and Uber! And now, there is no going back.

Amidst the COVID-19 surge, the use of mobile applications increased sharply which in turn raised the bar of on-demand apps. Food delivery, healthcare, online education, all on-demand services saw a rise during this period. 

According to the latest PwC report, the market for on-demand mobile apps and websites will reach a significant value of US $335 billion by the year 2025. This surge and demand for usage of on-demand mobile apps has made it as the most interesting mobile app trend of 2023. 

Let us dive into some of the amazing future trends in the mobile app market for on-demand services:

• The number of workers joining the on-demand app economy will increase steadily.
• On-demand services will be adopted by more and more food delivery and transportation businesses.
• Number of people using on-demand apps will rise as more people are moving towards digitalization.

No doubt, on-demand service apps will become more popular in the near future due to continuous increase in mobile users and dependence on internet. Therefore, it is crucial for app developers to build on-demand apps with more personalized features and higher efficiency.

18) Touchless User Interfaces (UI) for Mobile Apps

Consumer demand for applications that minimize the need for face-to-face interaction has made the development of touchless interfaces crucially important and necessary. Mobile apps have been an essential part in the race to replace public touchscreens to touchless experiences. Therefore, it is one of the emerging trends of mobile app in 2023.

Due to potential persistent behavior changes, touchless technologies are changing the user experiences and processes. It is now time to ride the wave of this “new normal” way of interacting, which is being evolved with time. 

One great example of Touchless UI is Amazon’s Echo line of product. You just have to give the commands after setting it up. No further hands on activity is required after that. Therefore, app developers must understand customer expectations and develop expertise in touchless technologies.

19) Mobile Learning

In the world of digitalization, children are growing up with apps and digital media as part of their life. The demand for mobile learning grew drastically after the COVID-19 where many applications were developed for the students’ welfare. 

According to a report by Technavio, the global education apps market is expected to grow by USD 46.88 billion during 2020-2024. Also, there are many app development companies that are focusing on building applications for educational sector. From the above information, it is clear that e-learning will be an emerging mobile app trend in 2023. 

Many mobile learning apps are providing fun elements for their learning. One such example is ScienceSpot where students can learn about different science principles with multiple fun games making it easier for the students to understand the concepts. 

Providing information through video content is another benefit of mobile learning apps that has made it a popular trend. Video content keeps the student engaged and provides a better understanding of the topic. 

20) Edge Computing

As we have discussed earlier, the presence of AI and ML is found everywhere today. As there is an increase in the usage of AI and ML enabled technologies, organizations are duly relying on edge computing for storing the key data and enabling latency-sensitive requests from endpoint transactions and services.

According to a research, artificial intelligence, analytics, and deep learning will drive 44% of data created in the core and edge, with a growing number of IoT devices. Therefore, edge computing will play an essential role in improving mobile app user experiences being a challenging mobile app trend of 2023. 

Do you know why mobile edge computing has become a huge trend now? Let us find out:

• It integrates all the latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things, along with data processing. 
• It can be used across a variety of applications like wearable devices, smart homes, video analysis, deep lens cameras, and gaming.
• The demand for mobile edge computing has increased due to the need for rapid connectivity, and higher data security. 

As the organizations are growing, the need for staying connected to the world has become crucial for faster innovation. Edge computing is the new focus, providing an agile mechanism to connect with the cloud, internet exchanges, and the larger ecosystem within the data center. 

How APPWRK Can Help You Stay Ahead with the Latest Mobile App Development Trends?

With so many new trends coming up in the mobile app development market, it can be difficult to choose the right partner for your future endeavors. Need a solution? Then you are totally scrolling through the right article. APPWRK is standing hand-in-hand to provide you with each and every IT solution that you need. 

APPWRK is not just a company for app development rather a trusted partner in your journey of long term growth and progress. Our team of expert mobile designers and developers have completed more than 2000 projects that has helped businesses to scale up development, design, and digital marketing proficiency. We have got you covered with each and every mobile app trend that could be seen in the market in 2023.

Therefore, if you are looking for a mobile app development company that will provide you with best mobile app developments with zero error and under budget, then we assure you that hiring us will be your best decision ever made! Come and connect with our experts to get the best customer experience. 

Conclusion – Mobile App Development Trends 2023

The latest mobile app trends discussed above proved that technology is soaring heights and will continue to make wonders in the future. All these mobile technologies have opened a new path of opportunities for the app developers. 

The growing demand for connected devices and platforms like wearables, smart homes, and voice assistants will offer new possibilities for mobile app integration in 2023. Therefore, these trends will keep the mobile app market moving forward and give consumers access to more sophisticated and customized experiences as well as improved connectivity and ease.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the mobile app development trends for 2023?

Mobile app development industry has taken a new path towards technological advancement and innovation due to which there are new trends that are coming up every day. Some of the amazing mobile app development trends for 2023 are 5G Technology, Foldable Devices, AR/VR Technology, IoT, AI and Machine Learning, Super, On-demand, and Instant Apps, Apps related to gaming, education, payments, ecommerce, and entertainment, Wearable Technology, and Blockchain Integration.

What types of apps are trending?

Apps have become an integral part of people’s life today. Some of the most trending apps are Instant and On-demand apps like Zomato, Uber, Netflix, Facebook, Instagram and many more. Also, e-learning apps like BYJUS and Udemy and health and fitness apps like Google Fit and HealthifyMe are becoming a trend now.

Which framework is the best for mobile app development?

There are number of mobile app development frameworks in the market but some of the best frameworks are Native Scripts, React Native, Xamarin, Ionic, and JQuery Mobile.

What are the top 10 future app ideas?

Mobile apps are evolving every day and so it is essential to know about innovative future app ideas. Some of them are – Allowing users to find a parking spaces, planning a trip to your favorite destination, virtual personal assistance, wedding planning, virtual fashion assistance, planning your meals and recipes, collecting and distributing food, communicating employees about various events and schedules, using AR for education, and virtual tour and shopping assistance.

What are some trending android apps?

Some of the most trending android apps are Google Drive, YouTube, Spotify, 1Weather, Nova Launcher, Pocket Casts, Amazon Kindle, Slack, Netflix, PhonePe, Ludo King, and Free Fire Max.

What features would make an app a success?

Some of the features that are required to make an app a success are well designed user interface, fast loading time, strong data protection, excellent user support, and built-in integrations.

What are the possible challenges that mobile app developers face?

Some of the biggest challenges faced by mobile app developers are developing interactive apps, choosing appropriate development technology, funding, device compatibility, and providing rich customer experience.  

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