Testing mobile apps is a very important step before they reach users. But one common question is — should you test your app on real devices or emulators?
In this blog, we will explain both, show their differences, and help you choose the right one for your testing process.
1. What Is an Emulator?
An emulator is a virtual device that acts like a real phone or tablet. It runs on your computer and mimics how a real device works.
You can use emulators to test your app quickly without needing to connect an actual mobile phone.
Example: Android Studio provides Android emulators, and Xcode offers iOS simulators.
Advantages:
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Free and easy to set up.
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No need for physical devices.
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Great for testing in early development stages.
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Can test multiple screen sizes and OS versions easily.
Disadvantages:
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Slower performance compared to real devices.
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Cannot test hardware features (like GPS, camera, fingerprint).
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May not show real-world behavior (like battery drain or touch delay).
2. What Is a Real Device?
A real device is an actual mobile phone or tablet you hold in your hand. You install the app directly and test how it behaves in the real world.
Advantages:
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Real performance and behavior.
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Can test hardware features like GPS, Bluetooth, and sensors.
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More accurate user experience results.
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Best for final testing before release.
Disadvantages:
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Buying multiple devices is expensive.
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Harder to manage updates and OS versions.
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Device setup and maintenance take time.
3. Real Devices vs Emulators: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Real Devices | Emulators |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast and accurate | Slower |
| Cost | Expensive | Free or low cost |
| Setup | Requires physical device | Easy setup |
| Hardware Testing | Possible | Limited |
| Network Conditions | Real networks | Simulated |
| Use Case | Final testing, real behavior | Early-stage, functional testing |
4. When to Use Emulators
Use emulators when:
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You are in the development phase.
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You need to test basic app functionality.
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You want to test different screen sizes or Android versions quickly.
5. When to Use Real Devices
Use real devices when:
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You are doing final testing before release.
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You want to check performance, battery, or hardware features.
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You need real-world feedback and user experience data.
6. Best Practice: Combine Both
Many QA teams use a hybrid testing approach — start with emulators for early testing and move to real devices for final checks.
This saves time and cost while ensuring high-quality results.
7. Tools That Support Both
Some popular tools that allow testing on both real devices and emulators include:
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Appium (Open-source mobile automation tool)
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BrowserStack and Sauce Labs (Cloud testing platforms)
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Firebase Test Lab (Google’s mobile testing tool)
You can learn more about these tools here:
👉 BrowserStack Real Device Cloud
👉 Appium Official Site
👉 Firebase Test Lab
Conclusion
Both real devices and emulators are essential for mobile app testing.
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Use emulators for fast, early-stage testing.
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Use real devices for accurate performance and user experience validation.
By combining both, you get faster results and higher quality apps that perform well for all users.
