Emulated Devices

Emulated devices simulate real devices to test mobile apps in various environments without physical hardware.

Why it matters

Allows testing across multiple device configurations without needing physical devices.
Facilitates early detection of compatibility issues and bugs.

How to measure

Track the number of successful test cases executed on emulated devices.
Monitor the time taken to identify and resolve issues.

Details

Emulated devices are virtual representations of physical devices, used extensively in mobile app development to test applications in different environments. They allow developers to simulate various screen sizes, operating systems, and hardware configurations, providing a cost-effective solution for testing without the need for a large inventory of physical devices. Emulators are particularly useful for testing apps on devices that are not readily available or are too expensive to procure.

While emulated devices offer significant advantages, they may not perfectly replicate the performance and behavior of real devices, particularly in terms of processing power and hardware-specific features. Therefore, they are often used in conjunction with physical device testing to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Examples & formulas

For instance, Android Studio provides an emulator that allows developers to test applications across various Android versions and screen sizes.

Common mistakes

Relying solely on emulators for performance testing; always validate with real devices.
Ignoring hardware-specific features that emulators cannot replicate; test these on physical devices.