Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update: Impressions and Performance

The Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update is currently rolling out to owners of the legacy flagship, and today we want to take a look at how the update performed on the Nexus 5. This is our first Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop review.

In April, Google confirmed the release of a new Android 5.1.1 update for stable Nexus smartphones and tablets. The update followed in the footsteps of Android 5.1, an update that brought new features, bug fixes, and issues to owners of the Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and more.

The Android 5.1.1 update isn’t as big as Android 5.1, but it’s still important because of the critical bug fixes it has. Fixes a number of issues, including an annoying issue with the Nexus 5’s camera app.

Google’s release of Android 5.1.1 was extremely slow, but it’s finally starting to pick up momentum as we head deeper into May, June, and summer. Last week, the Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update finally arrived, and the update is now rolling out to Nexus 5 users around the world, including the United States.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update has been problematic for many Nexus 5 users, myself included. In the weeks after the Android 5.1 update, I outlined the issues I had with the software (random reboots, app crashes) and my experience was a mirror image of what many other Nexus 5 users had. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to finally be running Android 5.1.1 on my own Nexus 5.

I spent some time with Google’s Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update and today I want to share my initial feedback with other Nexus 5 users. These are my first impressions of Google’s Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update; It’s an incremental update, but has the potential to both help and hurt the performance of Google’s former flagship.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Installation

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 version was extremely slow. Although it started rolling out last week, I’ve only seen a handful of people claim to have actually seen the OTA update. Normally I like to wait for the OTA update to give feedback on the process but this time I went ahead and uploaded the factory images using our detailed instructions.

It took me a while to get the software up and running because as I said, I normally wait for the OTA to arrive before installing. That said, the instructions worked perfectly and I was able to get the update on board within an hour. The Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update is extremely minor, so if you have a fast connection and some knowledge of sideloading, it probably won’t take you long either.

I would only recommend this route if you are patient. It is much more complicated than clicking download and install. However, if you’re dealing with the same issues I was dealing with on Android 5.1, skipping the OTA is probably worth it. It may take a few days or even a week or longer for Google to roll out this update to everyone.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Performance

I spent a few days with the official release of the Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update. Before I move on to my first impressions of Android 5.1.1, I should point out that the distance will vary from device to device and person to person. So, I probably don’t have the same apps installed and I have a better chance of using Google Chrome, playing more games and using my home screen than you.

So, take this as your general guide when trying to decide if Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is worth installing on your Nexus 5 right now. Remember, you don’t need to install it as soon as it appears on your phone, and there are some valid reasons to wait the first day. I took the unconventional approach due to the reboots and crashes I experienced on Android 5.1.

Apps

When I first got Android 5.1, my apps were working fine. But as the days passed, some of my more memory-intensive apps started crashing quite frequently, including Play Music. And that’s when I discovered the Android 5.1 memory leak issue that has plagued many Nexus users, not just Nexus 5 owners. I’ve also seen a handful of the usual crashes on Facebook, Twitter, and Chrome but this was nothing out of the ordinary. .

I’ve been using Android 5.1.1 for a few days now and so far I haven’t encountered any issues with my apps including Play Music. Core apps like YouTube, Twitter and others all work with Android 5.1.1, though my luck may change today, tomorrow or the next day, with Apps you never know.

If you’re dealing with app issues on Android 5.1.1 or earlier, here’s some advice. Keep your apps up to date. If you’re still encountering problems after the latest update, try reinstalling the app. This has worked for me in the past. You can also try clearing data and cache from apps that are giving you trouble. If none of these work, contact the developer and report the problem.

battery life

Android 5.1, like all Android updates, caused battery life issues for Nexus 5 users. While Nexus 5 owners complained of abnormal battery drain and charging issues in the weeks after Android 5.1 was released, I never saw any of these issues on my Nexus 5 version. Android 5.1.

I haven’t noticed anything unusual so far. I’m using my Nexus 5 more than usual to test Android 5.1.1 and it performs just as well as Android 5.1. It can hold a good charge during heavy use and I haven’t noticed any issues while on standby.

It’s also interesting that I haven’t seen the usual mess of Nexus 5 battery life complaints after Android 5.1.1. There are a few, but they are not as noisy as after Android 5.1. This could be a product of Android 5.1.1 or simply due to the slow Android 5.1.1 distribution of the Nexus 5. A lot of people are still waiting for the update, which means there is a lot of potential for problems.

I’ve been pretty proactive in the weeks since Android 5.1.1 was released, and I’ve recently put together a list of tips that might help those of you suffering from bad Nexus 5 battery life after installing Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Like all fixes, these aren’t guaranteed to work, but they’re a great starting point for those who notice some quirks after migrating to Google’s latest update.

Wi-Fi, LTE and Bluetooth

With Android 5.1 on the Nexus 5, I haven’t had any issues with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or LTE, but I’ve heard of issues with Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth. These are common problems after Android updates and I guess I should consider myself lucky.

So far I haven’t seen any of these issues on my Nexus 5. It connects to AT&T’s LTE network when needed, and that came in handy when I needed a spare phone over the long weekend.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both good. I’ve connected to several different Bluetooth speakers and a headset without any problems. I was also able to pair the device with several different Wi-Fi networks/routers without issue. In other words, par for the course.

Like app issues, connection issues can occur at any time. So, if you run into problems with the connection, which I’m sure some of you will, take a look at our list of fixes. They’ll be a great starting point, but I highly recommend getting fixes from other sites and Nexus 5 users as well.

Bugs and Issues

With Android 5.1 built in, I’ve seen an increase in random reboots. I noticed a few on Android 5.0.2 and Android 5.0 Lollipop but they weren’t that often. I was not alone This was a big problem for Nexus 5 users and Google and so I am very happy with the introduction of Android 5.1.1. At least until now.

I haven’t had a single random reboot with Android 5.1.1 on board. I know a small example from a few days old but still a good sign. It’s also worth noting that I haven’t seen any common complaints about random reboots in the days since the Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 was released. Maybe Google finally got it right. Only time will tell.

Android 5.1.1 has issues but I’ve never seen it. At least not yet. Smaller issues are extremely difficult to track down at first, so I’m likely to run into something as the days go by. Bigger problems are usually much easier to spot, and I haven’t seen anything jumping off the page so far.

Android 5.1.1 sounds very stable on my Nexus 5 and that’s really all I could hope for. Android 5.1 was a disaster on my device.

If you are concerned about Android 5.1.1 Lollipop errors and issues, go to: Google’s Nexus Help Forum. This is where Nexus 5 users will complain when they encounter a serious issue or an issue with their device. In the meantime, I’ll keep digging.

You’ll also want to check out our list of common Android 5.1.1 issues. I’ve listed here a few potential fixes that I think you’ll want to take a look at, especially if you haven’t installed Android 5.1.1 yet. That way, you’ll be prepared for any bugs or issues that come your way.

You always take some risk when installing new Android software, and Android 5.1.1 is no different. Prepare yourself and your device and you can get out of it unharmed.

Speed

The Nexus 5 is still fast with Android 5.1.1 built in. I didn’t see any issues with lag or slowdown, and I didn’t see animations or transitions getting stuck. The UI feels fluid and fast, and I hope it stays that way.

Should You Install the Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update?

Android 5.1.1 worked fine for me, although only a few days later. Errors and problems can occur at any time. However, if you’re having major issues with Android 5.1, I think it’s worth a try at this point. I haven’t seen any reboots and it seems very stable.

If you are not having problems with Android 5.1 and below, my advice is to wait a few more days. Google’s launch will speed up soon, which means you can gather more feedback from Nexus 5 users. Appearances can certainly be deceiving when it comes to Android updates, so take your time.