Mobile Website Testing: What are the Best Devices to Use?

dantehicks · 11th Oct 2012, 11:06 AM

I'd like to put together a small, yet effective, mobile website testing "lab" to ensure my projects perform well across the major platforms and different devices. Ideally, 3-5 devices to start with, and grow from there.

Would really appreciate your input on the following:

iPhone - I have the iPhone 4, but is the 3GS worth adding at this point?
Android? (2-3 models that are widely used?)
Windows phone?
BlackBerry?

Thanks!

pamojafusion · 11th Oct 2012, 12:21 PM

Have you thought of using emulators?

dantehicks · 11th Oct 2012, 12:30 PM

I have used several emulators, but I'd prefer to have an assortment of actual devices on hand. Emulators don't always tell the whole story. Plus, I'd like to leverage the "in-house testing lab" as a selling point to potential customers.

Jay Moreno · 11th Oct 2012, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by dantehicks

I'd like to put together a small, yet effective, mobile website testing "lab" to ensure my projects perform well across the major platforms and different devices. Ideally, 3-5 devices to start with, and grow from there.

Would really appreciate your input on the following:

iPhone - I have the iPhone 4, but is the 3GS worth adding at this point?
Android? (2-3 models that are widely used?)
Windows phone?
BlackBerry?

Thanks!

Hi Dante,

Am actually working from home right now but have a similar setup at the office too...

We use an old school flip phone, an old Blackberry 8300, we have the Samsung Galaxy S1 and S2, iPhone 3G, 4s, Ipod Touch and an 1st gen Ipad.

In addition the only emulators we use are iPhone5 via Xcode 4.5 on the Mac, Eclispe Juno for Android, and also the Windows Phone SDK from microsoft.

We have also used the services at perfectomobile as well.

I find the older Blackberry a great test rig - as it is very picky to say the least and will freeze/crash at the slightest hicup.

As you can see we design for all phones even old school flip phones! lol Basically we have a dynamic framework which detects the type of phone thats viewing the site and then render the most compatible HTML.

If you have the iPhone4 i personally wouldn't bother with the 3G right now i would put that money towards getting the iPhone5 or a new iPod Touch when it comes out.

For Windows Phone if your using microsofts proper SDK again i would save your $$$ - windows phone only accounts for barely 4% of the market space right now and they are due to bring out a new one at the end of October.

I would probably get yourself a Blackberry from that selection - i saw some recently on a pay as you contract free for around $70!

Hope that helps...

Jay

dantehicks · 11th Oct 2012, 12:45 PM

Jay — great insight, thank you! I definitely like the idea of using the BlackBerry as a sort of baseline - despite the proliferation of iOS and Android, there's still a strong number of corporate-issued phones that need to be taken into consideration. Especially when it comes to UI with the BB pointing element, rather than touchscreen.

Thanks again for your input!

pamojafusion · 11th Oct 2012, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by dantehicks

I have used several emulators, but I'd prefer to have an assortment of actual devices on hand. Emulators don't always tell the whole story. Plus, I'd like to leverage the "in-house testing lab" as a selling point to potential customers.

yea that is a good idea

11th Oct 2012, 11:06 AM	#1
dantehicks Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 52 Thanks: 19 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	Mobile Website Testing: What are the Best Devices to Use? Share on: I'd like to put together a small, yet effective, mobile website testing "lab" to ensure my projects perform well across the major platforms and different devices. Ideally, 3-5 devices to start with, and grow from there. Would really appreciate your input on the following: iPhone - I have the iPhone 4, but is the 3GS worth adding at this point? Android? (2-3 models that are widely used?) Windows phone? BlackBerry? Thanks!

11th Oct 2012, 12:21 PM	#2
pamojafusion Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Testing: What are the Best Devices to Use? Share on: Have you thought of using emulators?
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11th Oct 2012, 12:30 PM	#3
dantehicks Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 52 Thanks: 19 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Testing: What are the Best Devices to Use? Share on: I have used several emulators, but I'd prefer to have an assortment of actual devices on hand. Emulators don't always tell the whole story. Plus, I'd like to leverage the "in-house testing lab" as a selling point to potential customers.

11th Oct 2012, 12:45 PM	#5
dantehicks Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 52 Thanks: 19 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Testing: What are the Best Devices to Use? Share on: Jay — great insight, thank you! I definitely like the idea of using the BlackBerry as a sort of baseline - despite the proliferation of iOS and Android, there's still a strong number of corporate-issued phones that need to be taken into consideration. Especially when it comes to UI with the BB pointing element, rather than touchscreen. Thanks again for your input!