My Opinion on Android Device Fragmentation

I started my career in testing the web application. Two years later, I focused on testing the Mobile applications. Till the time I started testing the mobile app, I thought there are not much difference between the web and mobile other than screen size. But, from the day one after testing the mobile apps, I understood that both the web and mobile has its own challenges not the screen size alone.

Here I want to share some of my learning and concerns that I made/had in testing the mobile apps.  To me focusing testing on various platforms just needs a mindset first. Let me not talk what software testing is J

Okay. I have worked on Android/Windows Phone/ iOS.  The great challenges that I faced and facing so far is that the device fragmentation in Android. Yes, the ratio of devices uncovered is much greater than the covered devices. I believe there are good practices to do that. But, there are no such best practices yet. Looking for the best one soon J

I believe device coverage is not a great challenge when it comes to Windows Phone and iphone Apps. But, the story is quite different when it comes to Android.  Few months back I read through one article which says, there are 18000+ Android devices available in market. This count itself looks like OMG. But in WP and iPhone this is not a great challenge.  I am talking about the Device coverage challenge alone, not the Technologies.

There are no such supported tools to do that. Simulators/Emulators can do to some extend, but I can’t rely only on that alone. Also, the experience in using simulators varies from the real devices. So, I prefer to go with real devices. In worst case I choose simulators.

There need to be some ways that could help us to do at-least a good coverage so that the users don’t face more problems in using the apps. Problems are unavoidable while using the apps but could be limited to certain extend. It is purely based on the work that we do. As it is hard to cover all the devices, I would prefer to give my coverage in three ways.

There are certain parameters which needs to be focused in giving the coverage

·       

• Covering all the versions
• Covering the mostly preferred devices
• Resolutions

Resolutions:

• LDPI
• MDPI
• HDPI
• XHDPI
• XXHDPI

Versions:

As most of the app users use 2.3. It is better to have the app that cover from 2.3 and above.

• 2.3-2.3.2
• 2.3.3- 2.3.7
• 3.0
• 3.1
• 3.2
• 4.0-4.0.2
• 4.0.3-4.0.4
• 4.1
• 4.2-4.3
• 4.4
• 5.0 ( up-to date)

Devices:

It may not be the best solutions. But, it could be a better option.

• Samsung
• LG
• Sony
• Karbon
• Xylo
• HTC
• Motorola
• Spice
• Huawei
• Micromax

Now, let’s draw a tabular column and figure out the devices to be focused (targeted) on.

Thank You !

For any feedback please contact

E-Mail Id: ktg.pradeep@gmail.com

Phone Number: 08748887074

Skype: pradeep.lingan1