September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update Review

Earlier this month, Google released a new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build with security updates and bug fixes. We’ve had some quality time with this new update, and we’d like to share some more feedback today. This is our September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update review.

The Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update is not new. The first Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build was released a few months ago, and the changelog focused on improving the performance of Google’s mobile operating system.

I installed the Android 5.1.1 update as soon as it came out and found it to be a very solid update for the aging flagship. Other Nexus 5 owners have encountered Android 5.1.1 issues, and Google took some steps to fix these issues ahead of the device’s highly anticipated Android Marshmallow release.

Last month, Google released an August Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build focused on fixing the Stagefright vulnerability. A few days ago, Google released a new September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update focused on security and fixing persistent Lollipop issues.

The update is available to Nexus 5 users over the Air and by now most Nexus 5 users should have received the prompt to install this new build. If you’ve ever seen a prompt showing a 16MB upgrade, it’s the update.

While this update is extremely minor, it seems to be causing issues for some Nexus 5 owners. We’ve seen Nexus users complaining of new Android 5.1.1 issues after installing this new September build.

If you’ve been searching for this update, you may have heard of these issues. That’s why I’m back to offer some of my own views on this new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update. This review focuses on the performance of the update.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update Review

Last week, I got the prompt to install this new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build. And like a good guinea pig I set up right away.

The update, as I mentioned, is a small 16MB file that brings security patches and bug fixes. There is nothing else on board. If you are looking for new features, you will be disappointed.

Since then, I’ve been using the update as much as I can to provide feedback to Nexus 5 users. This is a minor update, but even the smallest Android updates have the potential to ruin your device’s performance.

Before moving on to my extended impressions, I would like to point out that mileage will vary from Nexus 5 to Nexus 5 from person to person. I don’t have the same apps as you and probably use my phone differently.

Use this review as a general guide and if you need more, explore to get some more feedback from other Nexus 5 users. As you move away from the release, you should start to see other Nexus 5 owners sharing their thoughts.

Apps

I have over 100 different apps on my Nexus 5. I use some sparingly and some heavily. My core suite of apps includes Asana, Slack, YouTube, Chrome, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Hangouts, Spotify, Google Maps, and SoundCloud.

I’ve been using these apps nonstop since the update was released and I haven’t encountered any major issues. I’ve had no issues with any of my secondary apps. I’ve seen a few Chrome crashes but this is nothing new.

If you’re dealing with issues, you have a few options. First, try installing the latest bug fix update if it has good reviews. I have installed all the latest app updates on my Nexus 5 and am not having any issues with my apps.

If the reviews are bad or the update has no effect, you’ll want to try reinstalling the app that’s causing you trouble. If that doesn’t work (and you don’t want to find an alternative), contact the developer so they can fix it in a future update.

Nexus 5 Battery Life

I’ve been using the Nexus 5 a lot since the update was released last week. And so far I haven’t noticed anything different in the battery life of the phone.

For the most part I can still use the phone solidly when connected to Wi-Fi, and I haven’t noticed any weird battery drain when the phone is in standby. I don’t expect any issues, but battery life issues can occur at any time.

Some Nexus 5 users are reporting battery draining issues after installing the latest Android 5.1.1. This is not surprising given that the battery life issues surfaced right after Android updates for Nexus phones and tablets.

If you’re not getting the battery life you’re used to, you’ll want to take a look at our list of fixes and tips to see if some of them help.

Wi-Fi, LTE and Bluetooth

I’ve also seen a few complaints about connection issues. These are also common after Android updates.

I haven’t had any experience with my Nexus 5. AT&T’s LTE network is still fast and reliable. I was able to pair my Nexus 5 with various Bluetooth speakers and headphones. And I haven’t had any issues with WiFi. I tested it with a few different routers, including TP-Link’s popular Archer C9 and one of Verizon’s standard FiOS routers.

If you’re experiencing connection issues on the Nexus 5, check out our list of fixes for those issues. These fixes have worked for many Nexus users over the years, and they will likely work for you too.

Connection problems can occur at any time, so you’ll want to save these fixes in memory. Android 6.0 is very likely to cause some issues for Nexus 5 users, so even if you don’t see anything out of the ordinary, this is another reason to absorb these fixes right now.

Bugs and Issues

I didn’t notice any major issues with this new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build. I’ve been searching over and over and haven’t been able to spot anything new that negatively impacts the performance of my Nexus 5.

This doesn’t mean there are no bugs on board, it just means I couldn’t detect them during my time with the update.

While there are people complaining about the problems, the problems seem very isolated. I haven’t seen any common complaints and this leads me to believe that other Nexus 5 owners have had the same experience as me.

The new Android 5.1.1 build looks very stable and I’m sure it will stay stable while we wait for Android 6.0 Marshmallow to arrive.

If you have problems, check our list of fixes.

Speed

I didn’t experience any lags or weird slowdowns after installing the update. It maintains the fluidity I got with the last security update. No problem here.

Is September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update Worth Installing?

It doesn’t contain any noticeable fixes but I still think it will be worth the download for most of you.

It comes with security updates and bug fixes and doesn’t seem to have any major bugs on board. This is exactly what you want from a small 16MB Android update.

If you decide it’s not worth the risk, your next update will likely be the Nexus 5 Android 6.0 Marshmallow update.

We still don’t have a confirmed release date, but with a Google event scheduled for September 29, there’s a good chance we’ll see our release date confirmed next week.