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Defining Minimal Viable Android Phone Versions for Sahha

Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of health biometrics across different Android devices is crucial. While flagship phones typically offer high-quality accelerometers and gyroscopes, the performance of these sensors can vary in older and budget-tier smartphones. Here are the insights and guidelines on which Android devices are best suited for Sahha's health metrics, specifically focusing on sleep and activity scores.

Understanding Sensor Quality Across Android Phone Tiers

  1. Budget-Tier Phones
    • Samsung Galaxy A32
    • Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
    • Realme C53
    • Google Pixel 4a
    • Motorola Moto G34
    Budget-Tier Phones with Accelerometer and Gyroscope
  2. Medium-Tier Phones
    • Samsung Galaxy A55
    • Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro
    • Infinix Note 40 Pro
    • Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
    • Oppo Reno8
    Medium-Tier Phones with Accelerometer and Gyroscope
  3. Flagship Phones
    • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
    • Google Pixel 8 Pro
    • Xiaomi 14 Ultra
    • Huawei P50 Pro
    • OnePlus 12
    Flagship-Tier Phones with Accelerometer and Gyroscope



Impact on Sahha's Health Scores

While flagship phones typically offer high-quality accelerometers and gyroscopes, the performance of these sensors can vary in older and budget-tier smartphones. Let's take a closer look at how older versions of Android perform on Sahha's health scores, specifically sleep and activity.



Activity Score:

To better understand, here’s some sample data from a walk around my neighbourhood, with a wearable (Samsung Galaxy Watch 3), an old budget-tier phone (Samsung Galaxy A037F) and a fairly modern phone (Google Pixel 7A)

  • Steps:
    • Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: ± 34 steps
    • Samsung Galaxy A037F: ± 66 steps
    • Google Pixel 7A: ± 68 steps
  • Activity Duration:
    • Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: ± 1 minute
    • Samsung Galaxy A037F: ± 1 minute
    • Google Pixel 7A: ± 1 minute

Sleep Score:

For sleep we can use an example of potential mean errors in the main factors used to calculate sleep scores (Nature):

  • Sleep Duration:
    • Wearables: ± 10-15 minutes
    • New phones: ± 15-20 minutes
    • Old phones: ± 30-40 minutes
  • Sleep Timing:
    • Wearables: ± 10-15 minutes
    • New phones: ± 20-25 minutes
    • Old phones: ± 30-45 minutes

Even with these variations, the scores on older and newer phones remain reliable for tracking trends over time. To further enhance the robustness of a single score, we evaluate factors using deviations in their average values. This approach reduces the impact of bad sensors on the overall score, ensuring that Sahha's health scores are both accurate and dependable across a wide range of devices, including older Android smartphones.



For more information on how Sahha calculates health scores, refer to the Sahha Health Scores.



Defining Cutoff Points

  • Phone Type and Year:
    • We generally advise using phones no older than 5 years to ensure a balance between broad market coverage and data accuracy.

Market Share Analysis

  • Phones meeting this criterion cover approximately 70.71% of the global Android market, ensuring inclusivity and reliable data for the majority of users (Statista).

Minimum Supported Android OS Versions

  • Android Sleep API and Activity Recognition:
  • Android Health Connect
    • Health Connect is supported from Android 10 (API level 29) onwards, as long as the Health Connect app is installed as well. From Android 14 (API level 34), the Health Connect app does not need to be installed as it is included within the operating system (Google Developers - Health Connect, The Health Connect App).

Almost all modern smartphones, including budget and older models, are equipped with accelerometers and gyroscopes. These sensors are standard components necessary for various functions such as screen orientation, gaming, navigation, and health tracking. Therefore, nearly every Android phone can collect step data effectively.

At Sahha, we strive to deliver accurate and actionable health insights regardless of the device in use. By defining minimal viable phone versions for Android, we ensure that our scores remain reliable and useful across a wide range of smartphones. This approach enhances our value proposition and helps our partners create inclusive, effective mobile health solutions.