Figure 4-1, for example, shows an AVD session configured to emulate the Google Nexus 5X model. When launched, an AVD will appear as a window containing an emulated Android device environment. Check the online developer documentation for your device to find out if emulator definitions are available for download and installation into the AVD environment.

Additional templates may be loaded or custom configurations created to match any physical Android device by specifying properties such as processor type, memory capacity and the size and pixel density of the screen. As part of the standard Android Studio installation, a number of emulator templates are installed allowing AVDs to be configured for a range of different devices. An AVD may be configured to emulate a variety of hardware features including options such as screen size, memory capacity and the presence or otherwise of features such as a camera, GPS navigation support or an accelerometer.

AVDs are essentially emulators that allow Android applications to be tested without the necessity to install the application on a physical Android based device.

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