This disclosure describes techniques for detecting or predicting saturation of an analog-to-digital converter. The techniques analyze digital samples following analog-to-digital conversion, and count occurrences of specific values associated with a subset of bits within the digital samples. The specific subset of bits that are used detect or predict saturation may vary depending on the analog-to-digital converter and the number of bits in the digital samples. However, the techniques avoid the need to consider every bit in the digital samples, and rely only on a subset of bits (one or more), which can simplify the counting algorithms used in the saturation detection or prediction. Upon identifying a probable saturation state of the analog-to-digital converter based on the counting, the techniques may de-boost the gain of an analog amplifier. This can effectively extend the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter.