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Choosing a mobile device for your CommCare project can be a hard decision. The Dimagi team has worked to make this decision a bit easier by testing numerous different phone models and documenting their performance. |
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This page will provide you with the results of our testing as well as some general guidance on selecting your device. |
Please note that this page includes recommendations of mobile device models. If you are uncertain if CommCare is supported on a mobile device that is not listed on this page, Dimagi’s recommendation is to procure a phone and test it.
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Considerations for Selecting Your Device
CommCare requires Android OS 4.1 or higher, with a preference for devices on the higher end for extended support. Consider the following when selecting devices:
Local Support: Ensure quick replacement or repair options, compatibility with local standards (characters, dates, voltages, plugs).
Accessories: Check for SIM card compatibility, particularly in tablets, which may have SIM or WiFi-only models.
Battery Life: Critical for rural areas with limited power access. Test battery life to match project needs.
Device Longevity: Verify if the device model will continue to be available and supported in the target region for the foreseeable future (3, 5, 10 years).
Cost: Assess if the cost is reasonable and comparable to other devices in the area to avoid theft risks.
Performance: Consider device speed, memory, screen size, and resolution for app requirements, especially for multimedia use or users with poor vision.
Connectivity: Ensure at least 2G network compatibility, along with GPS, GPRS, and WiFi. Confirm compatibility with local telecom providers.
Language Support: Verify support for all necessary languages for your project by checking settings and language compatibility. (Potential tool here: http://www.unicode.org/charts/)
CommCare Compatibility: After narrowing down options, test your application on a potential device to ensure optimal performance, including language support, image quality, audio, and video functionality within the app.
Mobile phone or tablet?
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While tablets are slightly more expensive than phones and have equal or worse battery life, they also have several benefits for certain projects. Consider using a tablet for projects with:
Heavy data collection: Tablets, with their larger screens, can display more questions at once (around 6 compared to phones' 4), reducing the need to swipe frequently.
Extensive use of multimedia: The larger screen of a tablet makes it better for viewing images and videos.
Stationary settings: Tablets are suitable for less mobile environments. Their size makes them more conspicuous and potentially more at risk for theft.
No need for traditional communication: Tablets lack the capability for calls and SMS, which could be a limitation depending on project needs.
Recommended Devices
Below is a list of recommended devices from Dimagi. These have all been gathered through partners over the years. Please note that this list is updated on an irregular basis. As such, we suggest testing the phone to ensure it meets your project requirements before procuring multiple phones.
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| title | RECOMMENDED ANDROID PHONES: CLICK TO EXPAND |
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Model
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Notes
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Samsung Galaxy Mini
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Samsung Galaxy S GT-7562
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Successfully supported Hindi script in India
Largely supports Odiya script
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Samsung Galaxy Xcover S5690
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limited internal memory, had to remove other apps but works well with only CommCare
Water and shock resistant
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LAVA Iris 349+
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successfully supported Hindi script in India
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Samsung Galaxy Win Duos (GT-I8552)
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Has difficulty scanning barcode off bright computer screen; when downloading app from CCHQ
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Samsung Galaxy Pocket Duos (GT-S5302)
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Samsung Galaxy ACE NXT
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Successfully supported Hindi script in India
Successfully supported location capture through GPS
Had difficulties submitting forms with image capture
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Samsung Galaxy ACE S5830
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good screen size for multimedia
low performance, slow to load big forms
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Samsung Galaxy Core Prime SM-360H
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Samsung Galaxy Trend
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Samsung Galaxy Young Duos (S6310)
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Successfully deployed very large forms (600+ questions)
Good internal memory
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Samsung Galaxy SIII Fame Lite S6790
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Huawei Ascend G510
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Huawei Ascend Y 511
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Can handle large case loads (1500 cases)
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Moto G
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Used by most Dimagi Field Staff (FM) in India, West Africa and the US
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Moto G (Turbo)
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Tecno H3
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Available for purchase locally in limited countries
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Samsung Galaxy J2
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Successfully displayed English and Hindi Text
Does not render Telugu and Marathi text.
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Samsung Grand Prime 4G
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Micromax Canvas Juice 4 Q382
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Karbonn Smart Titanium S205
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Limited availability (India only)
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LG K7LTE
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Limited availability (India only)
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Alcatel One Touch Pixi 3
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Smaller screen size. Can make it difficult to view case list/case detail screen depending on configuration
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Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo Plus
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A Note About Feature Phones: As of 2016, Dimagi only recommends beginning new projects on Android phones. It has become increasingly difficult to find large quantities of feature phones that support CommCare, Androids aremuch more common and affordable, and most CommCare active development is focused on the Android platform. While we still support our Java platform, we do not recommend that any new projects begin on a feature phone platform.
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| title | RECOMMENDED TABLETS: CLICK TO EXPAND |
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Phone Model
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Performance Notes?
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
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supports Hindi/Nepali script
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3
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supports Hindi/Nepali script
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 V (Model T116NY)
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite (Model T111)
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 2
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supports Hindi/Nepali script
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A SM-T510
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used in Mali with case loads as high as 25,000
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Micromax Funbook Alpha
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partially supports Hindi script (Hindi script- vowel markings are inconsistent)
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Micromax Funbook Infinity
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Videocon VT75C
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processor is not very fast out of the box
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Nexus 7
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does not support Lao script
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Onda V975s Core4
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Android 4.2.2 ROM includes the Zawgyi font by default if bought in Myanmar
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Datamini TA7
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Could not render Telugu text
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iBall Slide 3Gi71
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ASUS Zenpad C7.0
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Forstar FT 710x
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Poor Battery performance
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Alpha Tablet S707-DC
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| title | PHONES WITH KNOWN LIMITATIONS: CLICK TO EXPAND |
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Recommended Android Phones
We have a large install base of users with phones from Oppo, Tecno, and Redmi, which are broadly available and currently free of any specific reported issues in our device catalog. Below are the three most popular phones of these kinds that are used with CommCare
Oppo CPH2271
Redmi 10A Sport
Samsung’s high end devices are popular and do work well with CommCare. They used to be our general recommendation, but we’ve found their mid-to-lower tier devices problematic. In some markets, we’ve had experiences where those phones have been custom rebrands of old hardware that work much less well than their less-prestigious and cheaper competitors, leading to potential issues with their lower end devices.
Phones with Known Limitations
The phones listed below all have known limitations, and may be associated with known compatibility issues with CommCare. These phones may still be good options for a CommCare project depending on the projects needs. As with all phones not on our recommended phone list, we suggest testing the phone to ensure it meets your project requirements before procuring multiple phones. In addition, please keep an eye out for counterfeit phones.
Please note: Due to Google's revocation of Huawei's Android license, any Huawei devices produced after May 2019 would not support any Google apps including apps on the Google Play app store. As such, Huawei devices are not recommended for CommCare usage.
Phone Model |
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Challenge | |
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Multiple Infinix models Multiple Tecno models |
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Samsung Galaxy Y |
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Videocon VT75C |
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 |
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Samsung Galaxy ACE S5830 |
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 |
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Samsung Galaxy S Duos |
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Lava Iris 351 |
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Lava Iris 349 |
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Lava Iris 349+ |
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Nokia ASHA 206 |
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Nokia 201 |
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Nokia 205 |
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Nokia 109 |
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Nokia e72 |
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Huawei G730-C00 |
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Micromax P480 |
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Penta T-Pad WS704Q |
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Lava Model P7+ |
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Infocus M370 |
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LG Max X160 |
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Alcatel OneTouch P310x |
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Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500 |
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Mobile phone or tablet?
While tablets are slightly more expensive than phones and have equal or worse battery life, they also have several benefits for certain projects. Consider using a tablet for projects with:
Heavy data collection: Tablets, with their larger screens, can display more questions at once (around 6 compared to phones' 4), reducing the need to swipe frequently.
Extensive use of multimedia: The larger screen of a tablet makes it better for viewing images and videos.
Stationary settings: Tablets are suitable for less mobile environments. Their size makes them more conspicuous and potentially more at risk for theft.
No need for traditional communication: Tablets lack the capability for calls and SMS, which could be a limitation depending on project needs.
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