How is 5G technology changing application development?

Technology is constantly evolving, and it's moving fast. The need for better internet speeds, improved connectivity, and easier access has been the driving force behind the continuous advancement of technology.

5G or the fifth generation of wireless cellular networks is the latest technology built to provide high-speed performance. The technology promises 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 structure.

Since its inception in 2019, 5G has attracted considerable attention from users and network providers around the world. Many mobile operators are upgrading their existing networks to 5G and investing heavily. It is one of the most talked about app development trends.

5G and mobile applications

The impact of 5G on the mobile application industry will be huge. It will take the user experience to the next level by speeding up the performance of the application. Mobile apps equipped with 5G technology will complement other technologies such as IoT, cloud computing, and AR/VR, and help users in multiple ways. There is no doubt that it will change the development of mobile applications.

The role of 5G in application development

5G already lays the foundation for the high-speed networks of the future. App developers or app development companies are looking to take full advantage of this technology to create ultra-fast apps.

The salient features that 5G will bring to mobile app development.

1. High speed

5G is reportedly 100 times faster than 4G, the current high-speed network technology. Much faster than its predecessor, it's only a matter of time before it surpasses LTE in terms of speed.

While 4G can transmit up to 300 megabits of data per second, 5G is expected to transmit 3 megabits of data per second and will likely expand in the future. This will allow users to download large files in seconds, saving them time and improving the usability of the application.

2. Connectivity

4G can only connect 2,000 devices at a time within a 0.38 square mile radius. 5G, on the other hand, is expected to provide connectivity to about 1 million devices at a time. It can handle huge network traffic while also allowing seamless connections. If reports are true, 5G will be running in more than 1.4 billion devices by 2025.

3. Delay

5G technology is powered by Ultra Reliable Low Latency Connectivity (ULLC), which delivers data in milliseconds. Thanks to this minimal latency, mobile applications will be able to deliver data quickly and in real time. If we compare the latency of 5G and 4G, the former is 50 times faster than the latter.

4. Bandwidth

5G technology operates across multiple frequency bands for better connectivity. Therefore, mobile applications are suitable for low-band (<1 GHz), mid-band (1-6 GHz) and high-band consisting of mmWave.

5. Improve battery life

With faster speeds and minimal latency, 5G could potentially reduce battery drain. This will ultimately extend the battery life of smartphones and other IoT devices, and users will be able to use their smartphones for longer.

5G and its impact on application development

How will 5G impact application development? Let's find out:

GPS performance is more accurate

The participation of 5G in GPS-based mobile applications will provide users with higher accuracy of real-time results, which will further improve the performance of navigation applications. For the automotive industry, this will be very useful.

Improved IoT

The impact of 5G on IoT-based applications will be huge. Apps will provide seamless connectivity across smart gadgets, wearables or sensor-based devices. When combined with ML and AI, this will allow mobile app developers to incorporate ambient computing into their apps, making them smarter.

Easy to merge high resolution videos

Since 5G will be super fast, it will be able to watch high-resolution videos without any lag issues. Reducing latency will improve the performance of video streaming applications and provide users with a better viewing experience.

This means app developers can also incorporate high-resolution (4K) video into their apps to highlight products or services.

Easily implement AR/VR

Developers have always found it challenging to integrate AR and VR into their applications due to unstable networks or poor connectivity. With the high data transfer speeds provided by 5G, developers will be able to deliver AR/VR experiences to end users. Including AR/VR will make these applications more interactive and engaging. Not only will this benefit users, but brands will also be able to showcase their products in a better, more authentic way.

final thoughts

If it weren't for the Covid-19 pandemic, 5G would have rolled out globally. However, this delay allows developers to tap its full potential and take full advantage of it. As we enter a new era of technological revolution (and changing user needs), developers must integrate 5G technology into their applications.