I am a mobile app developer. I use a multi-platform framework, and develop for iOS and Android from a common codebase. It is not a very popular multi-platform framework (e.g. not Xamarin, PhoneGap/Cordova, or React Native) but it is easy to use, and there are experienced developers in a number of countries. It is mostly used for Enterprise development, but I have released (for clients) to the App Store as well.
I typically work on contract for others, and use my own personal devices (currently iPhone XSMax, iPad Air 2) and simulator for testing. I haven't needed to install iOS betas, as clients aren't generally interested in putting the effort into testing on upcoming iOS versions, willing to wait for release, and anyway the QA would typically be done by client. But if they do need me to test on specific devices, they would typically supply me with the devices.
But now I want to write a compatibility layer ("native extension" in the parlance of the multi-platform framework that I use) for iOS (and for Android) to allow that platform to be used to write apps that make use of the new Exposure Notification framework. I will be open-sourcing and releasing the code under MIT license.
I have written native extensions for the multi-platform framework before, and it is something I can accomplish quickly, and make it possible then for Public Health Agencies (or those implementing apps for them) to use the multi-platform framework to create apps. I have some sponsorship for this work.
Sorry for the long preface, but I wanted readers to understand exactly what my need is.... It may seem odd that a developer doesn't already have a stack of devices - I used to buy each new one outright, so would always have the past couple of devices at least, but just haven't had the need recently!
I do have a number of older devices, (4, 4S, 5S) but none suitable, as iOS 13 doesn't run on anything older than iPhone 6S.
So, now, I will need at least two devices - phones, not tablets since it is for testing the Covid tracking framework, and they need to be at least iPhone 6S. Of course, I will have to deal with Android devices as well. Since it seems Google will be a bit later than Apple, I still need at least two iOS devices. I know it is not prudent to install a beta iOS on my personal device.
So, open to suggestions as to best choice and good used device sources. It probably makes sense to get two different models. And especially would like to hear from other developers about your favorite choices for testing.
I'm trying to keep the budget small. I know I can get iPhone 6S and even 7 for around $100 or even less.
I think it makes sense if they can be put on the air, rather than just WiFi. (For test devices, I normally just put on Wifi...) FWIW I have ATT, I guess I can go to a plan that can have multiple lines fairly cheaply I have an obsolete plan anyway. But another carrier would be OK too, perhaps somebody with a prepaid plan if the prepayment never expires. Again, would love to hear from other developers to see how you deal with this.
Android wise, I have some recent budget Samsung Android phone that was obtained specifically for low-end device testing, and I think I can buy it from a client very affordably. And a pricey recent Google phone that I probably won't want to buy from client, but a Samsung S6 from an old client but may be too old for the Google API. So, again, any advice from other Android developers. (I also use GenyMotion which is a great simulator.)
I typically work on contract for others, and use my own personal devices (currently iPhone XSMax, iPad Air 2) and simulator for testing. I haven't needed to install iOS betas, as clients aren't generally interested in putting the effort into testing on upcoming iOS versions, willing to wait for release, and anyway the QA would typically be done by client. But if they do need me to test on specific devices, they would typically supply me with the devices.
But now I want to write a compatibility layer ("native extension" in the parlance of the multi-platform framework that I use) for iOS (and for Android) to allow that platform to be used to write apps that make use of the new Exposure Notification framework. I will be open-sourcing and releasing the code under MIT license.
I have written native extensions for the multi-platform framework before, and it is something I can accomplish quickly, and make it possible then for Public Health Agencies (or those implementing apps for them) to use the multi-platform framework to create apps. I have some sponsorship for this work.
Sorry for the long preface, but I wanted readers to understand exactly what my need is.... It may seem odd that a developer doesn't already have a stack of devices - I used to buy each new one outright, so would always have the past couple of devices at least, but just haven't had the need recently!
I do have a number of older devices, (4, 4S, 5S) but none suitable, as iOS 13 doesn't run on anything older than iPhone 6S.
So, now, I will need at least two devices - phones, not tablets since it is for testing the Covid tracking framework, and they need to be at least iPhone 6S. Of course, I will have to deal with Android devices as well. Since it seems Google will be a bit later than Apple, I still need at least two iOS devices. I know it is not prudent to install a beta iOS on my personal device.
So, open to suggestions as to best choice and good used device sources. It probably makes sense to get two different models. And especially would like to hear from other developers about your favorite choices for testing.
I'm trying to keep the budget small. I know I can get iPhone 6S and even 7 for around $100 or even less.
I think it makes sense if they can be put on the air, rather than just WiFi. (For test devices, I normally just put on Wifi...) FWIW I have ATT, I guess I can go to a plan that can have multiple lines fairly cheaply I have an obsolete plan anyway. But another carrier would be OK too, perhaps somebody with a prepaid plan if the prepayment never expires. Again, would love to hear from other developers to see how you deal with this.
Android wise, I have some recent budget Samsung Android phone that was obtained specifically for low-end device testing, and I think I can buy it from a client very affordably. And a pricey recent Google phone that I probably won't want to buy from client, but a Samsung S6 from an old client but may be too old for the Google API. So, again, any advice from other Android developers. (I also use GenyMotion which is a great simulator.)