Escape The Reality With 18 Groundbreaking Augmented Reality Apps For Android And iOS

Last year's global-hit augmented reality game 'Pokémon Go' craze may have cooled off, but augmented reality (AR) apps aren't going anywhere.

Augmented reality has big potential in the smartphone world, especially on the iPhone where the release of iOS 11 has introduced a host of AR-powered offerings. Catching up with the trend, the Android smartphone makers now launching devices (running Android Nougat v7.0 and later) with the Google ARCore support, making it possible for users to experience augmented reality apps.

By overlaying graphics over our existing environments rather than inviting us to escape them, Augmented Reality (AR) is positioning itself more appealingly compared to Virtual Reality. Unlike virtual reality where you have to wear bulky VR headsets, augmented reality can be experienced on any smartphone (supporting apps built with Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore) by downloading an AR-enabled app.

At the moment, AR technology looks set to change the way we look at and interact with the world, with experiences geared towards everything from gaming, to shopping, to accessing information. The available selection of augmented reality apps is diverse. We've spent hours combing through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for the very best AR titles and here are the ones that we think will amaze you, making you think about the true potential of AR.

​​Sketchar

Available on: Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)

Learn to draw step-by-step using augmented reality

The fact is drawing a sketch is an art form in itself and thus it requires a lot of skill and hours (and hours) of practice. So, if you ever wanted to draw a sketch just to learn a skill or surprise someone you love, there's an app to help you out. SketchAR app turns your phone's screen into an augmented reality drawing aid, overlaying a sketch on a blank piece of paper that you can trace over or use as the basis for your own sketch.

HOW SKETCHAR WORKS: