2020 was a difficult year for all of us, with lockdowns happening all over the world, we were told to stay indoors and keep contact with others to an absolute minimum. To make or nurture personal connections, people inevitably turned to technology more than ever before – none more so than mobile devices.
We have kept an eye out for what trends have emerged during this pandemic, at the time of writing, these trends show no sign of letting up – and mobile developers are adapting to deliver new and more complex experiences to users on those devices.
Here are our top mobile app development trend predictions for 2021:
5G technology
This trend comes as no surprise, and it will be foundational for every other trend on the list.
5G networks are up to 100 times faster than 4G – thanks to this sheer speed that is available anywhere you go it has an impact on the data-rich capabilities of mobile apps.
Emarketer predicts that the number of 5G connections will dramatically increase between now and 2024. That ongoing rollout will inevitably change the way mobile apps are made.
Mobile-Commerce
According to Statista, mobile eCommerce could account for almost three-quarters of online sales by the end of 2021.
The message is here and clear: If you are in charge of a retail business and you aren’t selling online, you’re missing out an enormous market. Of course, anyone doing so is competing with giants like Amazon – this means if you want to have a fighting chance, you will need a professional looking and highly usable mobile app or similar alternative.
One viable alternative to a full scale native mobile application is using Facebook Shops – the new platform is available only for mobile users that are on Facebook or Instagram, and it allows businesses to start their online shops with little to no effort.
Dedicated flip phone and foldable Apps
Flip phones first found popularity in the 90s, but modern ones come with significantly bigger screens with full touch capabilities. Big companies like Samsung, Huawei are bringing back the trend with their new foldable flagship phones, that are smaller than you ordinary smartphones when folded, but once you unfold the device, it becomes a tablet-sized behemoth.
Seeing how developers innovate in order to make use of that screen space and their unique foldable nature will be one of the more exciting trends for 2021.
Apps for wearables
Smart watches and fitness trackers are becoming more and more popular in recent years, and that will only increase in 2021 as 5g rolls out in a world where people are encouraged to exercise more.
In particular, Apple’s watch OS 6 presents an enormous opportunity for mobile developers to produce innovative aps that customers can download on the move, directly on to their wrist. That makes wearable apps – especially Apple ones – a prominent mobile app trend for 2021.
Android Instant Apps
Instant apps lets users sample the app without even installing it on to their devices. Considering the wealth of digital content competing for users’ attention, making an app “Instant” will give the developer and edge when it comes to turning someone just browsing the app store into a paying customer. Android developers are keen on using this feature for future apps, making it one of the key mobile app development trends of 2021.
Machine Learning
We have recently talked about Machine Learning and how it can revolutionize our lives in our recent blogs, and even looked ahead to the possible futures for the technology.
The applications of AI will also gather pace, making this field one of the most exciting mobile app trends for 2021 and beyond. This involves improved facial recognition, smarter search engines, more lifelike chatbots and deeper analytics tools.
Augmented Reality
Another exciting trend is Augmented Reality, Instagram filters and Zoom backgrounds are just two examples of how AR has already penetrated the mobile app development space, adding a novel layer to the way we all communicate. These applications are only just the tip of the iceberg, with 5G and cloud-fueled AR will allow mobile app developers working in the marketing, healthcare and hospitality sectors to deliver promotions, products and services in new and exciting ways, making AR one of the key mobile app development trends of 2021.
The internet of things (IoT)
As apps become more usable and immersive, networks get faster, and mobile hardware becomes more wearable, the potential for web-enabled everyday devices will grow exponentially. The potential will depend mostly on the skill and imagination of the developers pushing the technology. From growth in smart homes to smart cars, smart health-care systems and even smart cities, IoT could be the most prevalent of all the mobile app development trends for 2021 and beyond.
If you would like to read more about how the Internet of Things is going to have an impact on our lives, check out this blog post.
What can JustApplications do for you in 2021?
With mobile device usage continuing to grow on a daily basis, it’s clear that app development presents enormous opportunity for all businesses. So, is mobile development part of your business agenda for 2021?
Visit our Mobile App Development page to find out how we can help your business grow, or contact us to see how we can grow your brand in the year ahead.