Native iOS & Android
Full native application development using Swift/Kotlin, not a cross-platform wrapper — for performance-critical, OS-tight consumer apps.
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Photon's mobile apps run on millions of devices across retail, restaurant, and financial-services brands.
Native iOS and Android application innovation at Fortune 100 scale. Mobile is one of Photon's deepest sources of brand equity — now engineered with AI-assisted development and AI-native features layered in.
1,300+
Dedicated mobile engineers ~930 Native ~420 React Native
~85M
myWalgreens app members
10+ yrs
Of continuous mobile delivery for Walgreens
What mobile app development covers
Three tracks, chosen deliberately per project — not a one-size-fits-all answer.
React Native & Cross-Platform
Shared-codebase development for faster time-to-market and lower total cost, with live code-push updates that skip App Store / Play Store review cycles.
App Modernization & AI-Assisted Delivery
Rebuilding or re-architecting existing apps for performance, new OS capabilities, or AI-native features — accelerated by AI-assisted engineering workflows.
Native vs. cross-platform — how we decide
Three tracks, chosen deliberately per project — not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Performance & UX
NativeLeader
Cross-platformNear-native, improving fast
Native Feature Access
NativeImmediate, full OS access
Cross-platformPlug-in dependent
Time to Market
NativeTwo codebases to ship
Cross-platformOne shared codebase, faster
Update velocity
NativeStandard app-store review
Cross-platformLive code push, no store wait
Cost of ownership
NativeHigher — dual codebase
Cross-platformLower — shared codebase
Best fit
NativePerformance-critical flagship apps
Cross-platformFast-moving, web-synergy products
Photon's point of view: Native remains the leader for performance and user experience — it harnesses OS-level updates and device features directly. Of the cross-platform options available, React Native has earned enterprise credibility as the strongest alternative, delivering a near-native experience at reduced cost. When the web stack is already built on ReactJS, the synergy with React Native is even stronger — shared logic, shared talent, faster delivery.
What we've delivered
Case evidence below reflects Walgreens — a completed, long-running engagement. Additional mobile engagements are active across retail, specialty retail, and private banking; named references available on request, pending client approval.
~85M
myWalgreens app members
2.5 → 4.8
Walgreens app store rating improvement
10+ Yrs
Of continuous mobile delivery for Walgreens
20+
Engagements across the Walgreens relationship