Emulators vs. Real Devices For Test Automation: Which Is Better?
Real testing devices are various mobile handset models used to test a website’s or mobile app’s behavior and functions. These are the actual mobile handsets used by the end user.
Real testing devices are various mobile handset models used to test a website’s or mobile app’s behavior and functions. These are the actual mobile handsets used by the end user.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
EMULATORS VS. REAL DEVICES
WHICH IS BETTER?
Emulators vs. Real Devices For Test
Automation: Which Is Better?
With the advancement of technology, testing has also seen
improvements in mobile testing solutions.
These solutions are designed to support mobile apps and
cross-browser testing of websites on various mobile phones by
analyzing the application’s function, behavior, and user interface.
Because there are so many mobile devices, each with its own
operating system, hardware configuration, and screen resolution, what
works on one device may not work on another.
For mobile testing, there are primarily two types of devices:
Emulators vs. Real Devices For Test Automation:
Pros & Cons
Real Devices
Real testing devices are various mobile handset models used to test
a website’s or mobile app’s behavior and functions. These are the
actual mobile handsets used by the end user.
These tests are carried out by purchasing several mobile handsets
running various operating systems, such as Android and iOS, as well
as tablets and iPad devices.
Virtual Devices
A virtual device is a program that simulates the mobile device’s real
software and hardware. Emulators and simulators are two types of
virtual devices used for this purpose.
This is accomplished by translating the target device’s ISA (Instruction
Set Architecture) to the computer. It completely replicates your target
device’s work and creates a virtual testing environment.
Evolution of Testing: From Real To Virtual Testing
Devices
Real device mobile testing has become difficult with the release of
over 60 Android phones and 18 iOS versions in 2020. Testing
strategies have evolved to virtual devices, whether you are testing the
mobile application manually or through automation.
Although results generated on real devices are more accurate, the
testing cost is very high because the company must purchase many
mobile devices and update them as new devices enter the market.
Virtual testing devices for mobile apps and cross-browser compatibility
testing have been introduced to reduce the cost of real-world device
testing.
When To Use Emulators Vs. Real Devices For Test
Automation?
There are numerous advantages to using emulators and real devices,
but the testing strategy is determined by the risk and stage of the
application.
The best option for test automation is to use an emulator. If the users’
primary goal is responsiveness, real and virtual testing should be
used.
Furthermore, the emulator is significantly less expensive than using a
real device. When the main danger is swiping and dragging the
application, the emulator may be the best option.
Many organizations prefer to conduct only real-world device testing,
which is very expensive. As a result, the general rule is to use
emulators for both hardware and software.
When different memory allocations and central processing units are
used, an emulator can test the application’s behavior. Emulators are
especially useful when testing must be performed under various
conditions.
On the other hand, Emulators are more useful when combined with
real-world device testing practices.
Pros and Cons of Automating Tests In Emulators
Advantages
● The most significant advantage of the emulator is the price,
which is either free or very low.
● You only need to download and install the application to start.
Emulators are client software that runs locally.
They rely on fewer or no real devices and run faster than real devices
connected to a local network or the cloud. The emulator is included in
the SDK that software developers receive.
● Mobile emulators with a strong development environment
integration provide access to detailed debugging information,
which is critical during the development phase. In addition, it
enables testers to proceed with the application’s step-by-step
debugging on the emulator.
Furthermore, there may be instances where mobile emulators provide
enormous benefits by simulating difficult-to-replicate scenarios (such
as specific GPS coordinates, low battery, and so on) that a real device
cannot support.
Disadvantages
● Even if the testing goes flawlessly, there is no guarantee that the
data can be applied to a real device. Instead, it asks which tests
must be verified in real-time and which can be trusted on
emulators.
● Also, if the test fails on the emulator, it is critical to determine
whether the function should be tested on the mobile device or
assumed to be unchanged.
● Another disadvantage is that the emulators must be run on a PC
and connected to a LAN to access the internet.
● The network is directly connected to the radio interface and the
internet while using devices. Different network environments can
cause different application behaviors in many cases.
● Because the mobile device is a phone, network-related events
(text messages, incoming calls, etc.) should be tested to assess
the application’s impact.
● And performing these tests with an emulator can be difficult
because network quality varies between states, carriers, regions,
and countries. Because emulators are connected to the mobile
network, they cannot detect the effects on the application.
Pros and Cons of Automating Tests In Real Devices
Advantages
● Testing on real devices always yields accurate results, with no
concerns about false positives or negatives. This type of testing
takes place in a live network. It is an essential testing procedure
because it is unaffected by network-related events. For example,
the entire testing process will be lost if a text message or phone
call arrives in the middle of a transaction.
● Furthermore, network technologies (LTE, HSDPA, WIFI, etc.)
can significantly impact the application’s behavior.
● Real-world device testing is the only way to understand a given
device’s user experience, screen size, and CPU factors.
● Real handset operations can provide the best testing results for
service quality. Furthermore, real-world devices make it much
easier to detect performance flaws.
Disadvantages
● As previously stated, real devices are physical handsets that
must be managed appropriately. However, the costs and logistics
of acquiring these resources are incredibly high.
● Another issue is the variety of handsets that must be purchased
and which devices must be obtained. Real devices are more
challenging to connect to an IDE in the early stages of
development than emulators, which can slow down the
debugging process.
Disadvantages of Both: Emulators and Real Devices
Tests that only real devices can perform:
Tests run on real devices can perform network, performance, real OS
(with manufacturer’s tweaks), user interaction, and battery
consumption tests. This level of complexity is achieved only through a
product identical to that of the end user’s, not an emulator.
Network: On varied networks like 2G, 3G, 4G, and under different
network conditions like low bandwidth or high latency, app testing can
only be conducted using real devices.
Performance: Emulators are not the best for many testing situations,
such as circumstances where developers need to test performance
over an extended period of time.
Real OS (With Manufacturer’s Tweaks): It is not enough if an app is
tested on a single OS version of a device. For the app’s success and
positive rating, it has to be tested on a myriad of real devices with
different OS versions.
User Interactions: Using physical inputs like Zooming, Pinching,
Scrolling are considerably different on touch-screens. Also, sensor
inputs such as GPS, proximity sensors, shake, and NFC cannot be
simulated.
Battery Consumption: The only way to test an app with varied
battery conditions is by using physical devices. Emulators cannot
simulate activity under different stages of battery life.
Winning Strategy
Although real-device testing is the best option, emulators can be used
in the early stages of the development lifecycle.
Later on, you can move on to real-world devices. With a cloud testing
solution provider, you can also scale up your test automation and run
tests on as many devices as you need.
Real Device Cloud Testing With TestGrid
You now know the answer to your question: whether to use emulators
or real devices for test automation.
Your next step should be to find the right balance of real-device and
emulator-based testing while combining and complementing the two
approaches with the best cloud testing solution.
Conclusion
For comprehensive test automation, a hybrid approach is often best.
Begin with emulators for quick functional testing and use real devices
for thorough testing of performance, usability, and device-specific
features to ensure a flawless user experience.
Source: This article was originally published at testgrid.io.