Why is it significant to use real devices for visual testing?

Using real devices for visual testing is significant because they accurately reflect performance and rendering differences that simulators may not fully capture. This is crucial in visual testing since various devices can have different screen sizes, resolutions, processing capabilities, and hardware variations that influence how content is displayed. Simulators often simplify these factors, leading to a risk of inconsistencies in appearance or performance when the application is run on actual hardware.

By testing on real devices, developers and testers can observe how an application behaves in the environment it will be used, which helps identify any discrepancies in graphics rendering, layout shifts, or performance issues that might not be noticeable in simulated environments. This real-world testing approach ultimately enhances the reliability and quality of the application for end-users.

Other answers touch on aspects like cost-effectiveness or development cycle speed, but they do not address the core reason for choosing real devices, which is the fidelity of performance and rendering for the end-user experience.