Question: Given the hype over PWAs, are there real advantages compared to native apps? 

How does this as a single platform change the experience?

Answer: 
PWA = Progressive Web Apps

It may be defined as **Radically improving web user experience**

Just to simplify it - It's the experience of native app which you provide to the user.

**Why Progressive Apps?** 

Case 1 : Users nowadays doesn't want to install app every time when they have to get their work done,User doesn't have to wait to download app from a app store then use it.
Instead web apps provide same experience on the mobile browser to complete user's task. - **No more waiting**

Case 2 : In the world of millions apps and 30+ apps already on users phone with an average of 10+ app updates daily it really becomes hard for user to update apps every time there is new version launched, Whereas web apps makes it simpler for user. **Ease of use**

Case 3 : Data bandwith, User who is on mobile with a mobile data and with limited bandwith(2g) or a user from remote area cannot really cannot download app and cannot actually use app with low speed, Whereas in browser with PWA it becomes easier for user and makes the experience delightful.

**Why does companies have both ?**

As PWA is a latest trend the companies which had websites(old) and apps are currently moving towards PWA with a Iterative process\*\*(checklist)\*\* instead of building whole web app with all the features at one shot.

**Look, Feel & aesthetics** 

PWA is a inspiration of native app, where the same experience is provided for a user in browser same as a native app. 

Here are some links which will be helpful

<http://blog.proto.io/secret-killer-ux-design-microinteractions/>

<https://medium.com/@owencm/designing-great-uis-for-progressive-web-apps-dd38c1d20f7>

<https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2016/08/a-beginners-guide-to-progressive-web-apps/>

<https://pwa.rocks/>

<https://www.cygnismedia.com/blog/design-progressive-web-apps/>

<https://www.mobify.com/insights/progressive-web-is-the-new-responsive/>
The way you've framed the question makes it harder for me to give my answer so I will pretend I just read the **PWA v/s Native app** part.

**PWA** - The best and the only advantage I feel it has is the platform independence. Open any web app (especially on your phone); Outlook, Gmail, even the SE sites and you will immediately notice the lack of performance, lack of fluency, lack of features and there's a general air of uncertainty about the experience.

**Native App** - Yes, you have to install it on your phone but unless you're using it for just once, you'd prefer having it on your device for quick access. App sizes have reduced drastically due to capable APIs and native apps (mostly) have a better UX.

*Time and effort - PWA*

* Open a web-browser
* Type in the URL or visit Google (then click on the link)
* Login isn't usually the first page so click on that
* Enter your credentials and click on Login
* Wait for the API to load
* Now you can use it.

*Time and effort - Native App*

* Open the app store **(just once)**
* Search and download the app **(just once)**
* Open and login **(usually is a single sign-on so again, just once)**
* Use

Like I mentioned in my comment earlier, this might be a personal preference but I have hardly seen a regular user prefer PWA to a native app