Best Augmented Reality Apps and Games

Augmented Reality - or AR for short - is one of the most talked about features in the tech world right now. Merging the real world with the digital world, it can provide endless hours of fun - and come in handy for everyday life tasks too.

We take a look at some of the best AR apps currently out there, across both iOS and Android...

Google Lens

Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free

Google Lens isn't exclusive to Google Pixel phones - you can now download it on a huge range of Android handsets and on a compatible iPhone.

An innovative image recognition tool, Google Lens enables you to find out more about the world around you. Just point your phone's camera at a place, object, sign or even a paragraph of text, and Google Lens will reveal relevant information. If you point Google Lens at a sign in a foreign language, for example, it'll translate it for you. Want to know what time a certain restaurant is open until? Just position Google Lens at the building and it'll search for you.

Google Lens is particularly useful for copying written or printed text and creating a digital copy too. Tap the text you'd like to copy, make your selection and then copy the highlighted words - it's that easy.

If Google Lens isn't already download on your Android phone, you'll be able to download it directly from the Google Play store. iPhone users should download Google Photos, and they'll find the Google Lens feature inside.

Night Sky

Available on: iOS
**Price: Free **

NightSky is ideal for curious minds, and for lovers of the stars and the planets. Using advanced AR, it'll transform the world above you, bringing everything to life and taking stargazing to the next level.

Identify constellations, planets, individual stars and objects (like the International Space Station) simply by holding the app (or your Apple Watch) towards the sky. If you want to find out where a particular planet or object is, you can ask the app via Siri - a handy shortcut that's help you learn exactly what's what. You can explore constellations in 3D as well, and learn about each one in more detail. There's also a premium version with loads of extra features if you love the free version.

SketchAR

Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free

If you're feeling artistic, or you're looking for an app that can teach your children how to draw, then SketchAR is a fantastic choice. All you need is a piece of paper, your phone and something to create with like a pen, pencil or paintbrush.

Choose something to draw and point the app over the piece of paper. On your phone you'll see a step-by-step guide, with each step digitally imposed over the paper on the screen. Follow the guides to draw your own copy and improve your overall drawing skills. It's amazing for paint on walls too, as long as your have a phone with an AR Core.

Pokémon Go

Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free

When Pokémon Go launched in 2016, it sent Pokémon fans into a frenzy. It was one of the first AR apps that really caught the public's attention, and it was praised for encouraging users to get up and go outside in quest to catch 'em all.

When you first open up app you'll be a brand-new Pokémon trainer, and you'll see modified map of the real-world in front of you. As you explore the map you'll come across many Pokémon - just tap on them to try and catch them in a Poké ball. You can activate AR mode too, so the Pokémon will appear on your screen in real surroundings.

If you're after a state-of-the-art phone that's capable of supporting AR apps, then head to Mobiles.co.uk. We're sure to have the perfect device for you.