As Android-based smartphones become increasingly prevalent in our digital age, they also become inviting targets for malicious applications. Our research demystifies malware detection, with a special focus on response times across multiple Android versions. We began by examining the vast influence of Android and the need for robust malware detection in today's market. To understand the threat landscape, we investigated application-based threats and their impact on users and provided an encompassing review of the current malware detection methodologies, which include static, dynamic, and hybrid techniques. Our study centres around comprehensive tests conducted on distinct Android emulators, with the intent to measure malware detection response time. We used a known malicious app, "Hoverwatch," for this experiment. Our findings reveal notable disparities in detection times, emphasizing the need for constant advancements in defence systems and in a number of test cases the need for improvements in real-time detection capabilities. This research offers insights into the effectiveness of current Android malware detection methods, stressing response times. We underscore the necessity for regular updates and system enhancements to combat the evolving threat environment