Where to run your application.
WHAT SIMULATORS PROVIDE
Fast iteration across many device sizes and versions Easy testing of different languages, appearances and text sizes Simulated location and conditions
WHAT THEY DO NOT PROVIDE
Real performance Battery behaviour Camera and certain sensors Real network conditions Certain frameworks and capabilities
WHY THAT MATTERS
Performance measured on a simulator is meaningless, since it uses the host machine's power.
WHAT TO USE THEM FOR
Layout, logic and rapid iteration.
WHAT TO USE DEVICES FOR
Performance Anything involving hardware Final verification before release
WHAT DEVICES TO KEEP
The oldest you support, and a current one.
WHY THE OLDEST
It reveals every performance problem the newer one conceals.
WHAT TO TEST ON DEVICE
Launch time Scrolling Memory under sustained use Behaviour with poor connectivity
WHAT TO CONFIGURE FOR TESTING
Network link conditioning, to simulate poor connections.
WHAT TO ALWAYS DO BEFORE SUBMITTING
Run the release build on a physical device.
