Building an iOS app? One of the most common questions developers ask is: how many physical test devices do I actually need? The answer depends on your app, budget, and target audience. In this guide, we'll share our testing setup for Skyscraper and help you build your own affordable device lab.

Our Test Device Setup at Skyscraper

For building Skyscraper for iOS, we use:

  • iPhone Air – Latest generation, tests cutting-edge features
  • iPhone XR – Older device, tests performance on limited hardware
  • iPad mini – Tablet testing for different screen sizes
  • Xcode Simulators – Every iPhone and iPad model for layout testing

This combination covers 99% of our testing needs while keeping costs reasonable.

Physical Devices vs. Simulators: Key Differences

Understanding when to use physical devices versus simulators is crucial for efficient testing.

What Simulators Do Well

  • Layout testing – Test every screen size without buying every device
  • Quick iteration – Faster build and run cycles during development
  • Accessibility testing – VoiceOver and Dynamic Type work in simulator
  • Screenshot generation – Capture App Store screenshots for all device sizes
  • Network conditions – Simulate slow connections, offline mode
  • Free and unlimited – Test any device model without purchasing

What Requires Physical Devices

  • Push notifications – APNs doesn't work in simulator
  • Camera and photos – Simulator has no real camera access
  • GPS and location – Real-world location testing
  • Performance profiling – True CPU/GPU/memory usage
  • Battery impact – Real battery drain testing
  • Touch and gestures – Multi-touch, 3D Touch, haptics
  • Bluetooth and NFC – Hardware connectivity
  • App Store Connect – TestFlight requires physical device builds
  • Metal performance – GPU rendering differs from simulator

Recommended Test Device Strategy

Minimum Viable Setup (2 Devices)

For indie developers on a budget:

  1. One modern iPhone (iPhone 14 or newer) – Your primary development device
  2. One older iPhone (iPhone XR, 11, or SE) – Performance testing on constrained hardware

Cost: $200-400 for used devices

Recommended Setup (3-4 Devices)

For professional app development:

  1. Latest iPhone – Test newest features and iOS versions
  2. Mid-range iPhone (2-3 years old) – Average user's device
  3. Oldest supported iPhone – Your minimum iOS version target
  4. One iPad (if you support iPad) – Tablet-specific testing

Cost: $400-800 for used devices

Full Coverage Setup (6+ Devices)

For teams or apps with strict quality requirements:

  • Latest iPhone Pro Max (largest screen)
  • Latest iPhone (standard size)
  • iPhone SE (smallest screen)
  • iPhone 11 or XR (LCD display, older hardware)
  • iPad Pro (tablet testing)
  • iPad mini (compact tablet)

Which Devices to Buy

Best Value iPhones for Testing

Device Why It's Good for Testing Approx. Used Price
iPhone XR LCD screen, still receives updates, very affordable $100-150
iPhone 11 Face ID, dual camera, solid performance $150-200
iPhone SE (3rd gen) Smallest screen size, Touch ID, budget A15 chip $200-250
iPhone 13 OLED, modern features, great mid-range option $300-400

Best Value iPads for Testing

Device Why It's Good for Testing Approx. Used Price
iPad (9th gen) Affordable, standard iPad experience $150-200
iPad mini (5th/6th gen) Compact size, tests smaller tablet layouts $200-350
iPad Air Good balance of size and performance $300-450

Where to Find Affordable Test Devices

Best Sources for Used iPhones and iPads

  • Apple Certified Refurbished – Best quality, comes with warranty, 15% off new prices
  • Swappa – Verified sellers, no junk devices, fair prices
  • Back Market – Refurbished devices with warranty
  • eBay – Largest selection, but verify seller ratings
  • Facebook Marketplace – Local deals, can test before buying
  • Local electronics recyclers – Often have bulk devices cheap

Tips for Buying Used Test Devices

  1. Check iOS support – Ensure device will receive iOS updates for 2+ years
  2. Battery health doesn't matter much – Test devices stay plugged in
  3. Cosmetic damage is fine – Scratches don't affect testing
  4. Avoid iCloud locked devices – Cannot be activated for development
  5. Carrier locked is OK – You don't need cellular for testing

Setting Up Your Test Device

Essential Configuration

  1. Enable Developer Mode (Settings → Privacy & Security)
  2. Add your Apple ID for TestFlight
  3. Disable Auto-Lock during development sessions
  4. Enable Console logging in developer settings
  5. Register device in Apple Developer Portal

Simulator Best Practices

Essential Simulators to Keep

  • iPhone SE – Smallest supported screen
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max – Largest screen, Dynamic Island
  • iPhone 14 – Standard notch design
  • iPad Pro 12.9" – Largest iPad screen
  • iPad mini – Smallest iPad screen

Simulator Shortcuts

  • Cmd + Shift + A – Toggle appearance (light/dark mode)
  • Cmd + K – Toggle software keyboard
  • Cmd + S – Take screenshot
  • Ctrl + Cmd + Z – Shake gesture

Testing Checklist

Before every release, test on physical devices:

  • Push notifications (send test notification)
  • Performance on oldest supported device
  • Network transitions (WiFi to cellular)
  • Background app refresh
  • Memory usage under load
  • Haptic feedback

Use simulators for:

  • All screen sizes and orientations
  • Accessibility (VoiceOver, Dynamic Type)
  • Localization (different languages)
  • App Store screenshots

Conclusion

You don't need a wall of iPhones to build a great iOS app. Start with 2-3 affordable physical devices for hardware-specific testing, and rely on Xcode simulators for layout and accessibility testing. As your app grows, expand your device lab strategically.

For Skyscraper, our iPhone Air, iPhone XR, and iPad mini combination handles everything we need to ship a polished Bluesky client.

Download Skyscraper for iOS →