React native is based on the bridge between the native platform and JS, that allows to render real native component instead of a webview. It creates then far more possibilities because we have access to a big part of the Android/IOS API through the bridge. It shortens the difference between native and JS based app. And there are some big benefices to using React Native:
Some disadvantages:
PhoneGap / Cordova is different since this is a HTML / CSS / JS app rendered in a webview. This way you can use any of the frameworks or JS based libraries to make your app. You can still access phone components via the navigator API.
Main benefits:
Disadvantages :
- Slower and less performant
I would say go for React-Native if you already know React, but if you haven't fooled around with it, you should consider PhoneGap as a good option.
I would bet that more Bridge based library will appear in the next months!
Hope it helps :)