I am looking for an inexpensive Android device almost entirely to use as a test bed for jQuery Mobile web based development. I only require WiFi. Similar question to Android Development Device but I don't need the native Android app capability, side loading etc.
More modern tablets are slightly interesting but I don't think that gives me the most realistic end-use case and the WAF isn't exactly high. Suggestions? What do people think of somehting like a Samsung GT-S5630L Galaxy Y? Or is a Samsung Galaxy 4.0 Android MP3 Player a better option?
How different is the browser as you move from Gingerbread to Honeycomb or ICS?
I realize this question isn't ideal for SO as it is not directly related to programming but I can't seem to find the answer elseware and am looking for some help with my programming related work.
here's a copy paste from one of my apps according to usage
The higher the "score" the better the device is good for testing, since it's more popular.
Samsung Galaxy Y
2,406 8.64 %
Samsung Galaxy S2
2,330 8.37 %
Samsung Galaxy Tab
1,167 4.19 %
Samsung Galaxy Note
926 3.33 %
Toshiba AT100
840 3.02 %
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (GT-P7510)
825 2.96 %
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (GT-P7500)
710 2.55 %
Samsung Galaxy Ace
710 2.55 %
HTC Desire HD
678 2.44 %
Others
17,240 61.94 %
Related
I create a new hardware profile in an attempt to make and emulator for the Galaxy S8/S8+. I set the screen size to 5.8/6.2 inches (depending on whether S8 or S8+, despite the fact this doesn't appear to affect emulator anyway), and the screen resolution to 1440 x 2960, like the device. The emulator appears nothing like it does on the real device. Testing my app on a real S8+ shows it to be laid out poorly, but on the emulator it appear to be relatively organised, and I noticed it uses the dimens for my Nexus 6 emulator (xxxhdpi). Now the dimens values used isn't a big deal, because I'm happy to phase out the Nexus 6 considering it's no longer in production.
So I add some code to my launcher Java class that that gets me the dimensions of the emulator, here is what I get from my S8 emulator: {density=3.5, width=1440, height=2792, scaledDensity=3.5, xdpi=560.0, ydpi=560.0}
Besides the fact the height says 2792 instead of 2960 (I assume this is meant to happen), I believe I see the issue - the density is 3.5. As suspected, this is the same density as the Nexus 6. So the emulator I'm creating is not for the Galaxy S8, and this is evident in my comparison to a real S8+ which displayed my app in a distorted manner. As far as I'm aware, the Galaxy S8 has a density of 4, not 3.5. The IDE says the device has 560dpi. Now I need to be able to create an emulator with a density of 4, and the same specs I've already put down. How can I do this? How can I test for the Galaxy S8 without using the real thing? There isn't a preconfigured emulator for this device provided by the IDE.
Many thanks in advance.
There is no preconfigured emulator. As per my experience, even if you try to create with matching device configuration it won't be much of use as it will still run stock android.
So, I found that Samsung provides online test lab like firebase.
You can go to http://developer.samsung.com/rtlLanding.do and check it out. They give 5 minutes free if you don't have developer account.
As per Samsung, you can get the following:
20 credits are provided to each Samsung Developer user every day.
With 1 credit, users can use the Remote Test Lab service for 15 minutes.
Minimum reservation: 30 minutes (2 credits)
Maximum reservation: 10 hours a day (40 credits)
More details : http://developer.samsung.com/remotetestlab/rtlAboutRTL.action
I have created an galaxy s4 emulator using this post how to open galaxy S4 emulator
but my problem is when I tried to run this emulator it takes very long time and at last it said time is out. My ram is 6GM. And I created emulator by providing 800MB ram. And my laptop screen resolution is HD.
How to resolve my problem immediately because I have to test my app in galaxy s4.
I got it working with the settings the other link holds (How to test android app in Galaxy S4 configuration using emulator?) and "Target Google APIs (Google Inc.) - API Level 17" and also I let the Emulator help by my GPU "Emulator Options: Use Host GPU".
Hope you folks get it working to :)
Samsung has not released Add-on for galaxy s4.
But we have an alternatives for the Same Configurations.
Actual:Samsung S4 (1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.0 inches (~441 ppi pixel density))
Alternative:Sony Xperia Z (1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.0 inches (~441 ppi pixel density))
Both are using Drawable-xxhdpi resource folder.
To configure Sony Xperia Z:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/knowledge-base/sdks/sony-add-on-sdk/install-the-sony-add-on-sdk/
Testing on Sony Xperia Z emulator,will effect the same result in Samsung galaxy s4.
Emulators are slow. No matter what configuration you have. So testing in emulator doesn't mean it'll give you same behaviour in the real device.
Unless samsung decided to do so, it won't be available with Android SDK as predefined config. You may need to manually set the configurations (which is what you have done). Even then the OS gonna run in S4 is customised by Samsung yet again as I said earlier you won't get it with your SDK package.
Which devices (smartphone and tablet) do you recommend to buy as reference?
And what version of Android do you prefer?
Main goal: testing responsive websites in our small web studio.
Smartphones:
Samsung Galaxy — S2, S3, S4 (but S4 and S3 seem to be too expensive).
Google Nexus 4.
4.0 — 4.5 branded devices in middle cost segment.
bi-brands or Chinese devices (low cost, Android 4.1+).
Tablets (I think, only 9.7/10.1 inches not 7 inches):
Samsung (dunno which).
Chinese devices.
We have limited resources, so…
I would go for Google Reference Devices, as they always go through all Android versions, and they have always the latest version available. Right now they are:
Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013 versions). 2012 version is the most sold Android Tablet. also works as a reference Portrait Tablet.
Nexus 4
Nexus 10. Reference Landscape Tablet.
Nexus One or Nexus S for a reference Android Gingerbread device.
Then, if you have the budget, I would go for typical best sellers in all ranges:
Galaxy S2, S3 and S4
Galaxy Y, Ace, HTC Desire X
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7, 8.9 and 10.
I've set installocation="auto" in the manifest and on most devices this works.
Doesn't Work (No option to move to SD Card):
Razr Max HD (Android 4.0)
Samsung GS3 (4.0 and 4.1)
Samsung Note 2 (4.0)
Droid 4 (Android 4.0). This only said it would move to internal space however error'ed out saying there was no space (wrong).
Works:
Rooted, Incredible (4.1)
Samsung Note 1 (2.3.6)
Any ideas? It seems like +4.0 doesn't want to recognize the tag.
Some phones (such as the Razr Max HD and Galaxy S3) simply do not support moving apps to the SD card. Manufacturers unfortunately have the ability to remove this feature from their Android releases, and some use that power.
I want to test on Android devices with the lowest specs but I don't know which device that is
A device with less than 160dpi screen, less than 256mb RAM, less than 3.5 inch screen.
and using Android 2.2+
I have seen the lists on wikipedia but they don't mention how much RAM. and there is no good way to specifically filter 2.2+
At first glance it seems as if the low-end devices have been weeded out by 2.2 but this is probably a fallacy given the number of android devices.
This is further compounded by the fact that "knockoff" devices have 512mb ram these days, but the obscure budget carriers may still have some strange devices out there I've never heard of
please list low powered devices running 2.2+ or greater. I've used the emulator but this doesn't give me real world results too often.
i usually use the following device for low end device compatibility tests:
sony ericsson xperia x10 mini ( 240x320; very small screen )
samsung galaxy 3 ( small screen 240x400 )
the x10 mini's latest android update is 2.1; the galaxy 3 has a 2.2 update, so maybe the latter would be a good low end testing device for you.