Real Device Testing Options and Best Practices
The mobile app development landscape is complex and ever-evolving. To stay on top of app development, it is crucial to ensure that it performs as intended. Real device testing is an integral component of the testing and quality assurance process. It allows you to identify and address issues in a specific app before its release.
Real device testing is challenging owing to the fact that your users own more than thousands of devices. The diversity of devices makes complete test coverage a challenge. Besides 5g device testing, you should identify the real device testing best practices to meet the demands of your users. The prime objective behind this kind of testing is to ensure the consistency of the application on different devices. Let’s explore the options related to real device testing and its best practices.
What are the Essential Aspects to Know About Real Device Testing?
Real device testing refers to the manual testing of apps and websites on real devices. However, it is common for QA teams to use device simulators for extensive test coverage. Based on the complexity of the test processes, simulated devices may be insufficient.
Moreover, simulated devices aren’t precise when the context is about mobile environments. Some of the key components of the mobile environment are as follows:
- Battery life of the device
- Storage capacity of the device
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Internet speed
- Network Bandwidth
Your QA team can also use real devices for localization and adhering to the real device testing best practices.
What are the Real Device Testing Options to Know?
You have various options when the context is about real device testing. You can use a combination of these alternatives to make real device testing successful. Listed are the real device testing options you should know about.
Devices of Your Employees
You can conduct real device testing on the devices of your employees. It is a suitable option when you don’t have much time. Your team of developers might collaborate with each other to test what they are working on. But leveraging your employees’ devices is not a scalable option.
Maintain a Big Device Library
Maintaining an extensive device library is one of the most suitable options. You can procure devices with different components, OS, and features for 5g device testing. However, it is not a smart strategy to purchase every device in the market. You will amass various types of devices only to run short of human testers and exceed testing budgets.
Hiring Freelance Testers
Another real device testing option is to appoint skilled freelance testers. It is an ideal option to solve capacity and device coverage issues. However, your QA team needs to manage these freelancers to make real device testing successful. On the other hand, if you’re paying them based on the bugs identified, you can end up with loads of mediocre quality issues.
Real Device Testing on the Cloud
If you want a scalable option for real device testing, the cloud is your go-to platform. One of the key highlights of a cloud-based testing platform is that it eliminates the need to procure physical devices. Ensure that you conduct tests on popular and niche devices to ensure wider coverage.
The Best Practices for Real Device Testing
Like a mobile application testing tool, you should follow the best practices for real device testing to be successful. Most app development companies have a misconception that real device testing comes with logistical challenges. If you have a vetted and experienced QA team, there is no need to worry about logistical challenges. Listed are the best practices of real device testing you should be aware of.
Identify Target Devices
It is essential to identify the devices most commonly used by your audiences. Based on the devices identified, commence testing your app. It will make sure that a vast number of users won’t face any issues while operating the app on their devices.
The Significance of a Test Matrix
You just cannot underestimate the importance of a test matrix in real device testing. The test matrix is designed to include an array of devices, networks, and operating systems. While creating a test matrix, it is imperative to consider factors like resolutions, screen sizes, and hardware specs. The inclusion of these factors will ensure comprehensive coverage.
Track the Performance Metrics
Keeping a track of the performance metrics of your application on various devices will help you detect issues. To make real device testing successful, monitor CPU usage and battery usage along with the amount of memory consumed. Users will immediately uninstall your app if they find your app to be resource-intensive.
Ensure Proper Device Coverage
We live in a world where smartphones and interconnected devices are released daily. Your users access web and mobile apps through smart devices that come with varying screen sizes, operating systems, and screen resolutions. The sheer number of devices and operating systems can leave your QA team baffled.
On the other hand, most QA teams nowadays work remotely, which makes in-house device labs inaccessible. Therefore, ensuring proper device coverage is the only way to make your application user-friendly. The major app development companies follow the best practice of testing more than twenty-four device OS combinations.
Focus on Usability Testing
We all know how important it is to include usability testing while working with a mobile application testing tool. Your usability testing suite should include assessing the app’s user interface, navigation, and user experience. Usability testing has always been the preferred option for QA teams to improve an app’s appeal in the market.
Analyze the App’s Performance in Different Network Conditions
Your QA team should analyze the application’s performance in different network conditions. For instance, it is vital to test your application in 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. It offers thorough insights into the app’s performance in real situations.
The main objective of application testing has always been to refine its user experience. Real device testing allows you to improve the app’s performance and recognize common performance glitches. Follow these real device testing best practices to ensure the long-term success of your application.
