The Impact of 5G on Mobile App Development

• Mobile
• June 9, 2020

by Mehul Rajput

Since the inception of the internet, radical technological innovations invade our lives every now and then. Currently, the latest excitement is about 5G.

There is no denying that 5G will significantly upend our ways of living. It is being coined as the catalyst for the fourth industrial revolution. While 5G could disrupt industries, it has the potential to create a multitude of new business opportunities.

But more specifically, it has the power to impact mobile app development – and that too more than you think. So if you’re interested in what the future of mobile app development will look like with correlation to 5G, then you have landed at the right place.

In this blog, I have covered all the bases about how developers can prepare themselves to stay upright in this fast-paced technological revolution.

5G at a Glance

Consumers are demanding technology that offers connectivity, accessibility, convenience, and speed, among other things. While 4G is doing all this, people desire something even better. They want instantaneous communications with a seamless online experience.

Technology never stops growing. As soon as a technological feature is rolled out, efforts begin to enhance it further and come out with a more modified invention. So it’s no surprise that developers are working on doing just that.

5G is a game-changing technology that is offering high-speed mobile internet connectivity that is more stable, allows quicker downloads, and supports the transfer of vast amounts of data in real-time from scores of connected devices.

It may be a while before 5G is wholly infused into our lifestyles. However, countries like China, South Korea, and some states in the US already have plans for the wide-scale adoption of 5G.

Tech firms, entrepreneurs, innovators, banks, hospitals, and other data-intensive organizations will benefit the most with this technology. With enormous amounts of readily available information, companies have the power to access more data at faster speeds.

Salient Features of 5G That Will Influence Mobile App Development

5G technology isn’t a modification of its predecessors. It comprises of an entirely new communication architecture that will offer enhanced services to all its users. Needless to say, the future of app development will experience a revolutionary change with the rolling out of 5G.

Some 5G characteristics that will be instrumental in the development of apps in the coming years include:

1. Faster speed

5G aims at providing a smooth and fast cellular connection. In fact, this wireless network promises 100 times the speed offered by 4G networks, according to Intel.

Since 5G data transfer speeds will range from 50 Mbit/s to over 2 Gbit/s, lightning-fast downloads and file transfers are around the corner.

2. Low latency

At the moment, 4G networks can exhibit an average latency of 50 milliseconds. But, 5G assures to slash this to just one millisecond. Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) will allow data to be transferred between devices in real-time with minimum hindrance.

With less network interference and delays, mobile apps will be able to perform better and offer a more enhanced UX.

3. Increased connection density

4G can connect with about 2,000 devices within 0.38 square miles, while 5G can support up to a million devices. When combined with better speed and connectivity, alongside low power usage and latency, 5G opens up a whole new arena for mobile app developers in the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT).

4. Enhanced capacity

Service providers often struggle to provide uninterrupted connectivity to large audiences. But 5G can make it possible. Increased speeds and connectiondensities will result in enhanced capacities for businesses.

Thus 5G promises a greater optimization of network traffic and smoother handling of usage spikes as hundreds of thousands of devices seamlessly communicate with sensors, machines, hardware, and whatnot. 5G will help industries scale as they match their technology initiatives with their goals.

5. Increased bandwidth

5G will include all previous cellular spectrums. Therefore, better connectivity is on the horizon. It will have higher radio frequencies (in the 30 GHz to 300 GHz range) and shorter wavelengths than 4G.

6. Improved precision

The increased bandwidth of 5G supports better precision capabilities and improved responsiveness. This will prove to be essential for high-precision GPS-enabled services.

How 5G Will Change the World of Mobile App Development?

With these 5G features in mind, app developers are in frenzy. The opportunity of creating groundbreaking mobile apps is open for the taking. Trends in mobile app development are sure to get a boost with 5G.

Here are a few ways the wide-spread use of 5G will influence mobile app development:

1. Superior Video Apps

UltraHD, 360 degrees, and live streaming have already gained a great deal of traction. But with the promise of higher resolution, decreased latency, faster speeds, and smoother performance, video apps are sure to make a substantial improvement. So 5G can bring a lot to the table in this category.

2. Enhanced AR and VR-Based Apps

AR and VR apps are just beginning to step into mobile app development. But with 5G, users can experiencea better online experience. Because of improved operational speeds and zero latency, these technologies can be seamlessly integrated into mobile apps.

The use of AR and VR will diversify with the incorporation of 5G. Moreover, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) will enable app developers to provide out-of-the-box interfaces suitable for specific uses, such as those for factories, schools, homes, etc.

3. Applied 3D Technology

The future will witness a surge in the use of immersive technology. 5G-enabled mobile apps may be combined with 3D printing to develop 3D models. And since 5G is wireless, it is anticipated to improve overall system capacities and energy efficiencies.

Therefore, it’s expected to have a significant influence in multiple sectors, including education, construction, healthcare, etc.

4. Greater IoT Implementation

It all began rather innocently with the desire to be conveniently connected to all devices, whether that be a smartwatch, a smart TV, or an integrated security system. Now we live in a world infused with IoT, thanks to the likes of Alexa, Siri, and Google Home.

5G is on the verge of taking the entire concept to the next level. With more interconnected devices and advancements in AI, 5G apps will impact nearly everyone and everything. We can expect smart homes and cities to take a giant leap forward.

Mobile app development in this realm will take-off exponentially in the coming years. From consumers to enterprises, 5G is offering seamless global connectivity that is faster, smoother, and possesses higher capacity.

5. More Accurate GPS-Enabled Apps

Because 5G uses higher radio frequencies and short wavelengths, it offers better coverage and connectivity. More importantly, it gives precise and highly accurate results, an essential feature for GPS-enabled apps.

So with enhanced speeds, improved connectivity, and uninterrupted communications, mobile app development based on GPS access can vastly improve.

6. Faster and Larger File Transfers

With 5G, data-transfer processes will be quicker, boosting functionality and performance. App developers can focus on increasing productivity and improving user experience. Moreover, this will allow enterprises to utilize large volumes of data more effectively.

7. Enhanced UX

5G technology can significantly improve the performance and responsiveness of apps. With better connectivity, load times will decrease, and visual clarity will increase. It will result in significant changes to the user interface.

As developers utilize these features of 5G, they can significantly enhance app functionalities and boost UX. In the long run, better app performance can drive more downloads and reduce app abandonment.

8. Decreased Dependence on Hardware

By placing the app’s data on the cloud, consumers can access and run apps without having to install them on their devices. It will freeup the device’s processing power and internal hardware. Moreover, a device’s hardware limitations will no longer influence app performance.

Additionally, 5G ensures high-speed real-time connection and communication between devices. With faster data transfer capabilities, mobile apps will be less dependent on the processing power of the hardware of smartphones.

9. Enhanced Battery Life

With increased speed, reduced latency, and less dependence on hardware, battery consumption will decrease. Thus 5G has the potential to extend the battery life of mobiles and IoT devices. This will allow users to interact with apps longer.

10. Better Integration

5G will enable developers to integrate various technologies into their apps effectively. With the rise in personalized interactions, prompt feedback, and cloud-based services, 5G is expected to take these aspects even further. App developers must be prepared for more human-machine interactions as well as machine-machine interactions.

Final Thoughts

5G was created as the ultimate solution to cellular connectivity. However, it is still in infancy. There is much to be perfected in this arena. Wider adoption of 5G will mean more data will be collected. So there is an increased possibility for data breaches to occur.

Moreover, since older devices are not compatible with 5G, users will need to replace their devices with more expensive ones.

At the moment, 5G is being seen with a lot of skepticism. But as the world’s fastest network, 5G has a lot to offer. There is an immense potential for mobile app developers, with the hopes of a more refined UI and UX.

As wearables and IoT devices – that leverage 5G’s enhanced capacity – become mainstream, the adoption of 5G networks will become easier. It will present new opportunities for app developers to explore and unleash the power of 5G.

FAQs About 5G and Mobile App Development