The mobile internet & apps market is that segment of the economy that involves internet access on mobile devices, as well as the creation and use of mobile application software (apps) on smartphones, tablets, and other mobility devices. This vertical has seen astonishing growth in recent years due to ever-growing smartphone ownership, faster internet speeds, such as 4G and 5G, and increasing use of mobile apps for many services ranging from communications and media to work and shopping.
The market for mobile internet and apps is sizeable owing to the various sectors it cuts across, such as telecommunications, software, e-commerce, entertainment, and digital marketing. The present market size of the industry is calculated to be close to USD 450 billion in the year 2023, and it’s predicted to rise well beyond USD 1 trillion by 2030 in future projections.
The mobile internet & apps market is that segment of the economy that involves internet access on mobile devices, as well as the creation and use of mobile application software (apps) on smartphones, tablets, and other mobility devices. This vertical has seen astonishing growth in recent years due to ever-growing smartphone ownership, faster internet speeds, such as 4G and 5G, and increasing use of mobile apps for many services ranging from communications and media to work and shopping.
The market for mobile internet and apps is sizeable owing to the various sectors it cuts across, such as telecommunications, software, e-commerce, entertainment, and digital marketing. The present market size of the industry is calculated to be close to USD 450 billion in the year 2023, and it’s predicted to rise well beyond USD 1 trillion by 2030 in future projections.
The mobile internet & apps industry involves the creation and application of mobile applications that work specifically on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and other related devices that use the internet to provide services, communication, and any activities. It also includes the mobile internet connectivity infrastructure and all the applications developed for the purpose of entertainment, business, work, e-commerce, and interactions, among other things.
This market includes:
- The mobile internet infrastructure encompasses 3G, 4G, 5G networks, and Wi-Fi technology, all of which offer various services.
- The app ecosystem encompasses app creation, distribution networks such as the App Store and Google Play, and the associated mobile-advertising business.
- Mobile devices encompass smartphones, tablets, wearables, and any other devices not specifically mentioned, all of which rely on the consumption of mobile internet and apps.
Social Media & Communication Apps:
Examples: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram
The development of these apps is geared toward easing communication and socializing, user interaction, community building, and content sharing.
E-commerce & Shopping Apps:
Examples: Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Wish
These applications enable users to view products, purchase products, check the status of deliveries, and receive notifications on offers and sales.
Gaming & Entertainment Apps:
Examples: Candy Crush, PUBG, Netflix, TikTok, YouTube
These types of apps are all about fun, amusement, and games, providing strategies, video games, music, and more.
Financial & Payment Apps:
Examples: PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay, Robinhood
Apart from mobile banking, money transfers, and stock trading, these apps also provide mobile payment-related functions.
Productivity & Utility Apps:
Examples: Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Evernote, Zoom
The purpose of these applications is to enhance efficiency through task management, file storage, and remote collaboration.
Health & Fitness Apps:
Examples: MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, Headspace, Calm
Apps that are aimed at enhancing physical and psychological health, keeping track of workouts, nutrition, and meditation, among other wellness activities.
Travel & Navigation Apps:
Examples: Uber, Lyft, Google Maps, Airbnb, TripAdvisor
There are apps that assist users with guidance, travel arrangements, cab services, hotel bookings, and much more.
News & Information Apps:
Examples: CNN, BBC News, Flipboard
There are apps that offer timely news, stories, and information on different subjects.
1. 5G Enhancement: Considering the forthcoming deployment of the 5G infrastructure, the ability to browse the Internet from a mobile device and use apps will change significantly, enhancing speed and reducing latency, especially in apps such as games, streams, and augmented reality.
2. Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR): Mobile applications have seen an increase in the usage of augmented reality and virtual reality, which enhances users experience when it comes to games, commerce, and education. We anticipate more applications of these technologies in the near future.
3. Paid Apps: There is also a tendency of mobile app services that is moving to subscription models, more particularly in the entertainment, fitness, and work-enhancing applications, promising premium content to the users, extra functionalities, and zero advertisements in the apps but only in recurring payment.
4. Mobile Commerce Blend: Due to its speed, safety, and ease of payments, mobile commerce, which uses Apple Cash, Google Pay, or other region-specific solutions, is rapidly gaining traction, particularly in developing areas.
5. Emphasis on Security and Confidentiality: With almost everyone using smartphones and mobile applications, the attention given to privacy and security has increased. Many developers are striving to improve the application’s encryption capabilities, ensure data is safeguarded, and adopt a more open and transparent data-gathering regulation since many consumers are inclined to be worried about such issues.
Dominant use of a mobile-first approach: Due to the sustained increase in the use of mobile gadgets, firms are incorporating mobile-first plans into their services and content in order to fully cover the mobile traffic niche and make apps the must-have elements of interaction.
The Ascendancy of Mobile Gaming: Mobile gaming treats itself as the forefront of the entertainment industry, sustaining fifty percent of gaming revenue across the globe. Additionally, future technologies come into place when it comes to some mobile games in particular, and these include augmented reality (AR) as well as virtual reality (VR).
Enhanced M-commerce: There is an expectancy for consumers to move towards mobile commerce (m-commerce) by utilizing mobile apps. With a huge expansion in the use of mobile payments, in-app purchasing has become easy and entertaining.
Introduction to 5G and Improved Mobile Technologies: With the massive worldwide deployment of 5G networks, the connection is getting very fast, allowing for better streaming, rapid downloads, and fluid functioning of apps that all fit together to further promote mobile app adoption and internet consumption.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies (AI) in the Apps: AI with machine learning is helping in the incorporation of mobile applications with customizable features like personalized advertisements, recommendation systems, voice managers, and artificial intelligence chatbots, etc.
By Application Type:
Social networking and communication.
ECommerce & Retail
Video & Game
Banking & Payments
e-Health & Wellness
Office Applications
Maps and Directions
News & Text
By Operating System:
iOS
Android
Windows
By Geography:
economic development in
North America
Western Europe
Asia & Pacific
Latin America
Middle Eastern Africa
1. Apple Inc.: This company is beta-in-chief in the mobile devices as well as the apps market with their app store and the various applications that are crafted for iOS users.
2. Google Inc.: The twelfth on the list in the market of mobile phones is the Google Company, which is appreciated for the Android operating system, and there is also a long list of different mobile applications (Maps, YouTube, or Drive).
3. Facebook (also known as Meta): They are one of—if not the—biggest social media organizations in the world, thanks to products like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and similar.
4. Tencent Holdings: This company is a fierce competitor globally in mobile games and social media, with WeChat as its main app in China, together with huge participation in the mobile gaming industry.
5. Amazon is a prominent ecommerce innovator that allows customers to shop through its app and provides video streaming services known as Prime Video.
6. Spotify: It is still at the top when it comes to music and online streaming because it is readily available on mobile devices, and many people subscribe to its service.
7. Uber: It is a fantastic mobility application, including a chauffeured transportation application, which has been established worldwide, plus other services such as free eats called Uber Eats, which also stands as additional services.