How Is 5G Technology Transforming App Development?

Technology is constantly evolving, and that too at a rapid pace. The need for better Internet speed, improved connectivity, and easier accessibility has been the driving force behind the constant technological advancements.

5G or fifth-generation wireless cellular network is the most recent technology built to deliver high-speed performance. The technology is expected to significantly improve network connectivity. It is also believed that the introduction of 5G will make it easier and more convenient to connect devices to obtain and share information due to its unified connectivity fabric.

Ever since its inception in 2019, 5G has garnered a great deal of attention from users and network providers across the globe. Many mobile operators are upgrading their existing networks to 5G and investing heavily in it. It is one of the most talked about app development trends.

5G and Mobile Apps

The impact of 5G on the mobile app industry will be massive. It is set to take the user experience to the next level by speeding up the performance of apps. Mobile apps equipped with the 5G technology will complement other technologies like IoT, Cloud Computing, and AR/VR and help users in multiple ways. It is undoubtedly going to transform mobile app development.

Role of 5G in App Development

5G has already laid the foundation for high-speed networks in the future. App developers or app development companies are looking to make the most of this technology to create super-fast apps.

The prominent features 5G will bring to mobile app development.

1. High Speed

5G is reportedly 100 times faster than 4G- the current high-speed network technology. Being this much faster than its predecessor, it will just be a matter of time when it overpowers LTE in terms of speed.

While 4G can deliver a maximum of 300 megabits of data per second, 5G is expected to transfer 3 Gigabits of data per second, and this would likely scale up in the future. This will allow users to download heavy files in a matter of seconds, thereby saving them time and improving the app's usability.

2. Connectivity

4G had a connectivity limit of only 2000 devices at a time within a radius of 0.38 square miles. 5G, on the other hand, is expected to offer connectivity for around 1 million devices at a time. It can handle huge network traffic while also allowing seamless connectivity at the same time. If reports are believed, 5G will run in more than 1.4 billion devices by 2025.

3. Latency

5G technology is powered with Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Connection (ULLC), which delivers data in just a millisecond. Due to this minimal latency, mobile apps would be able to deliver data in quick real-time. If we compare the latency of 5G with that of 4G, the former is 50x quicker than the latter.

4. Bandwidth

The 5G technology performs across multiple bands for better connectivity. Mobile apps, therefore, will work for Low band (<1 GHz), Mid band (1-6 GHz), and High band consisting of millimeter waves.

5. Improved Battery Life

With better speed and minimal latency, 5G will likely reduce battery consumption. This will eventually result in the extended battery life of smartphones and other IoT devices, and users will be able to use their smartphones for a longer period.

5G and Its Impact on App Development

What impact would 5G have on app development? Let’s find out:

More Accuracy in GPS Performance

The involvement of 5G in GPS-based mobile apps would provide users with improved accuracy in results in real-time, which will further enhance the performance of navigation applications. For the automotive industry, this is going to be extremely useful.

Improved IoT

The impact of 5G would be massive in IoT-based applications. Apps would offer seamless connectivity across smart gadgets, wearable devices, or sensor-based equipment. When combined with ML and AI, this would allow mobile app developers to incorporate ambient computing into their apps to make them even smarter.

Easy to Incorporate High-Resolution Videos

Since 5G would come with ultra-high speed, it will enable watching high-resolution videos without any latency issues. Reduced latency will boost the performance of video streaming apps and provide users with a better viewing experience.

This would mean that app developers can also incorporate high-resolution (4K) videos in the app to highlight the products or services.

Easy Implementation of AR/VR

Developers have always found it challenging to incorporate AR and VR into their applications due to unstable networks or poor connectivity. With 5G offering a high data transfer speed, developers would be able to offer the AR/VR experience to the end users. Including AR/VR will make those apps more interactive and engaging. Not only will this benefit users, but brands will also be able to present their products in a much better and more realistic way.

Final Thoughts

5G would have been rolled out globally had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this delay allowed developers to fully tap into its potential and bring the best out of it. As we enter into a new age of technological revolution (and with changing user demands), it will be imperative for developers to integrate the 5G technology into their applications.