Mobile apps have become ubiquitous in our daily lives. From ordering food to booking a ride to work, we’ve grown accustomed to using our phones for just about everything—and that’s not likely to change any time soon.
The mobile app industry continues to grow, even as other technologies and platforms struggle. In fact, according to Statista, the total global revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.27% and reach a market volume of $614.40 billion by 2026.
But what will happen next? What are the trends and developments that will shape this space? Look no further: we’ve covered you with a comprehensive list of the top mobile app development trends for 2023.
15 Mobile App Development Trends in 2023
In just the past few years, we’ve seen several new trends emerge in the field. Here are 15 mobile app development trends that we believe will dominate in 2023:
1. AI-Powered Personal Assistants
The need for human interaction with technology will always be present, and personal assistants are one of the best ways to provide that interaction. In fact, according to the survey, 86% of respondents said they would rather interact with an AI-powered personal assistant than have a conversation with a human representative.
The mobile app industry is expected to capitalize on this trend by offering more intuitive ways for users to interact with their apps through AI-powered personal assistants. This will make it easier for users to find what they’re looking for and make it easier for developers to create more personalized experiences using machine learning algorithms.
2. Augmented Reality (AR) Games And Apps
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows developers to add 3D effects to their projects. For example, a user might be able to see their pet in a virtual room or play a game involving augmented reality characters.
With the rise of AR games and apps on mobile, this technology will likely become more popular in the coming years. As more people adopt AR-capable devices like smartphones and tablets, developers will be able to create games and apps that are more immersive and realistic than ever before.
3. Voice Search
When it comes to mobile apps, voice search is becoming increasingly popular. We’ve seen its uses in various ways: ordering food through Alexa and asking Siri to play music.
There are plenty of reasons why this technology will continue to grow in popularity:
- It’s convenient for users who don’t want to type out their searches (and it also saves them from having to look up how to spell “catfish”).
- Voice search can be faster than typing—not only does it not require you to switch between apps or screens, but it doesn’t require any action if the device recognizes what you’re saying. And if it doesn’t recognize what you’re saying? You can try again.
4. Blockchain-Based Mobile Apps
Blockchain is a technology that enables digital information to be shared securely without the need for a central authority. The technology is used in several ways, from cryptocurrencies to supply chain management and secure data sharing. Blockchain-based mobile apps are also gaining popularity, allowing users to access their phone data.
This trend will likely continue, with more and more companies looking at ways to leverage blockchain technology. By 2025, the global blockchain market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 69%.
5. Increased Use Of Machine Learning By Businesses
In recent years, businesses have increasingly turned to machine learning to make smarter business decisions.
Companies have also used machine learning to improve their internal processes—for example, by identifying patterns in customer service emails or determining which employees are most likely to be successful at completing specific tasks on time.
According to McKinsey Global Institute research, machine learning will become even more critical for businesses over the next three years because it allows companies to scale up their operations without adding additional resources such as staff or equipment.
6. More User-Friendly Interfaces With More Intuitive Navigation
One of the most exciting developments in mobile app development is the trend toward more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
This trend results from increased competition in the marketplace and technological improvements. With so many apps vying for space on users’ phones, developers need to create something that stands out from the crowd.
They’ve done this by improving their user experience (UX). In addition to making sure that their apps are easy to use, they’re also looking at how people interact with them and how they can improve those interactions. For example, some developers are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to anticipate users’ needs and ensure they have exactly what they need when they need it.
7. The Push Toward 5G Networks Will Increase
5G networks will be the future of mobile app development, and by 2023 we expect them to be widely available in developed countries. This means that apps will have higher bandwidth, less latency, and much better response times.
The push toward 5G networks is also expected to change how we use our phones. For example, streaming high-definition video will become more reliable and less laggy as data speeds increase.
The benefit of this trend is that it’s going to make using your phone even more enjoyable than it already is.
8. Conversational Commerce
Conversational commerce is an increasingly popular trend in mobile app development. It allows users to engage with businesses in a conversational way rather than going through the process of filling out forms or navigating menus. Customers can ask questions about products and services, make requests, and even place orders without ever having to leave their apps.
This type of functionality has been around for a while. Still, it is gaining popularity among businesses because it gives them more opportunities to connect with customers and provide better customer service. It also offers customers a better experience when dealing with companies they like or trust.
We’re already seeing some companies start offering this kind of functionality on their websites, and that’s just the beginning.
9. Platform Agnostic Design
As we move into the 2022s and beyond, platform agnosticism is becoming more critical. With the rise of multiple operating systems and devices, designing an app for one or two platforms is no longer enough. The user experience must now be crafted to create a seamless user experience across all platforms.
Companies must consider how they can best utilize each platform’s strengths while minimizing their weaknesses to achieve this goal. For example, if you are creating an app for iOS and Android, you must focus on ensuring that your users have access to all their saved data, even if they switch between devices or operating systems.
10. Growth Of On-Demand Apps
The growth of on-demand apps results from the growing demand for convenience. With the rise of the gig economy, on-demand apps are becoming popular as they allow users to save time and money by getting their work done without paying for it in advance.
On-demand apps also help companies save money by reducing overhead costs and staffing levels. For example, if you need someone to build an app for you, instead of hiring an employee who will work for you all year round, you can hire someone for a few hours or days when needed. This way, businesses save on salaries and benefits but still get quality work done simultaneously.
11. Video Streaming Innovations
Video streaming is one of the fastest-growing segments in the mobile app industry. With consumers increasingly shifting their attention from traditional media outlets such as television to online content, mobile apps are becoming more critical than ever. In fact, according to Statista, digital video ad spending will reach $120 billion by 2024.
The number of hours people spend watching videos on their devices is also increasing rapidly. According to Statistics, users spend an average of 5 hours daily on their phones —this number is expected to increase yearly.
Video streaming will continue to be a significant force in the mobile app development world for at least the next decade.
12. Increased Focus On Security
The security of mobile applications is a topic that will be around for a while. It’s only becoming more of an issue as apps become more complex and critical.
In 2023, we will see an increased focus on the security of mobile apps from both developers and users. Developers will be incorporating more secure coding practices into their development processes. Still, users will also be looking for more assurances that app developers handle their data responsibly.
13. Wearable Technology For Mobile App Development (IoT)
Wearable technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in general, will continue to change how we interact with our devices. Moving toward the “smart home” and “touchless” devices will become more prevalent as we move forward into 2023.
This is especially true for mobile app development. Wearable technology has already significantly impacted business, but it’s only beginning to make its way into consumer hands and everyday life.
This trend will only continue to grow in importance over the next decade as more people use wearables regularly.
14. Beacon Technology
Beacons are small, motion-sensitive devices placed throughout a business or venue to track user movement and send push notifications. They’re typically used to provide location-based information and advertisements. Beacons will continue to grow in popularity in the coming years as they become more cost-effective and reliable.
While it’s still early for beacon technology, companies like Apple have already begun using it at their retail locations to send customers notifications about events or deals happening nearby. As more businesses adopt this technology, we expect to see it expand into other business areas, such as retail shopping and travel booking.
15. AI-Based Personalization
AI-based personalization is one of the most sought-after trends in mobile app development. The demand for apps that can adapt to each user’s preferences, deliver personalized content, and provide real-time suggestions for next actions is increasing as more and more people rely on smartphones to get things done.
The most common way to implement AI-based personalization is through machine learning algorithms that analyze user behavior and then use it to predict what the user will want next. For example, if a user has been browsing for new shoes for several days but has yet to make any purchases, a shoe retailer’s app might suggest a sale price or offer a discount code as soon as they open their app again.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, mobile app development is in a state of flux. With new technologies and companies entering the market daily, knowing where to focus your time and resources takes time.
But if you’re looking for a way to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your company stays relevant, these trends should give you some insight into what’s on the horizon for mobile app development in 2023.
