Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Update: Is It Worth Installing Now?

We’ve been using the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Lollipop update for a few weeks now. And now that the update is deployed in full force, Nexus 5 users are faced with a decision whether to download Google’s latest firmware. With the experience we have, we want to help you decide. This is our Nexus 5 Android 5.1 review at the three-week mark.

In March, Google released a new version of the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system called Android 5.1 Lollipop. Like previous Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates, Android 5.1 Lollipop update brought bug fixes for Android 5.0 Lollipop issues. Android 5.1 Lollipop, unlike its predecessors, brought tons of fixes to Nexus users. It also brought some minor feature tweaks to devices like the Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 6, and Nexus 5.

Slowly but surely, Google has finally started to upgrade its best Nexus smartphones and tablets with Android 5.1 and its enhancements. Last week, the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update finally started picking up as Google began rolling out a brand new build of Android 5.1 Lollipop known as the LMY47I. The new update is minor and contains at least one fix, which is a solution for SIM card issues.

We keep getting (and seeing) questions about the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update, and especially since the update has finally started hitting devices around the world. While we’ve already dived twice into our experience with Android 5.1, we thought it appropriate to take another look at the update at the three-week mark to provide feedback to those using and considering Android 5.1. about installing new software. Our goal here is to help push you to one side of the fence or the other.

Here’s how the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update holds up after three weeks of use.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Update: Three Weeks Later

Let me start this updated review by saying that I’ve owned the Nexus 5 since it was released in the fall of 2013. I have installed every single Android update from Google and my device from Android 4.4.2 to Android 5.1. no rooting done.

I should also remind you that I am the only one who owns a version of the Nexus 5. Android updates affect devices and users differently, so I recommend getting more feedback before installing the Android 5.1 Lollipop update or downgrading to an older version. The version of Google’s operating system.

With that in mind, here is my Nexus 5 Android 5.1 experience at the three-week mark.

Applications

My app experience on Android 5.1 Lollipop has been pretty bumpy. While my apps were working fine after the March install, I saw some decline in the weeks following the initial release.

Most of my apps work fine but there are some issues. The memory leak problem of Android 5.1 is real. If you are not familiar with the error, the device memory accumulates and cannot be erased. This causes problems for memory-intensive applications. Play Music keeps crashing and also on Nexus 5 I have seen apps like Twitter, Facebook, Chrome, YouTube and more crashing. Crashes happen quite occasionally on my Nexus 5 but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating. Other apps like Asana and Slack work just fine.

Google has apparently fixed the Android 5.1 memory leak issue, but it’s still unclear when the fix will be rolled out. There are speculations that Android 5.1.1, an update apparently confirmed on April 1st, will bring the fix, but it’s unclear when the update will arrive. Even if it never comes for the Nexus 5.

If you’re seeing issues similar to mine, all you can do is be patient and hope the issues get resolved. I also recommend installing the latest app updates, they usually help.

battery life

While app performance took a hit, Android 5.1 battery life on my Nexus 5 remained fairly consistent. I didn’t encounter anything out of the ordinary while the device was in use, and it still holds an excellent charge when left in standby mode. It also charges normally. Slow charging issues often plague Nexus users after major Android updates, so I’m pointing this out.

Over the past three weeks, I’ve seen a ton of Nexus 5 users complain about battery draining. Not everyone is dealing with bad battery life but there are a few people who have had problems after installing Android 5.1.

In response to these issues, I’ve compiled a list of tips that might help those of you suffering from bad Nexus 5 battery life after Android 5.1 Lollipop. Like all fixes for Android problems, these aren’t guaranteed to work, but they’re a great starting point for those who notice some quirks on their Nexus 5 with Android 5.1.

Give them a shot before they do something drastic like smashing your phone with a hammer.

connection

There is nothing to complain about here either. Wi-Fi still works fine. I was able to connect the Nexus 5 to various Bluetooth speakers and headphones. And when I take the Nexus 5 out of the house, AT&T’s LTE network still delivers fast speeds.

I know some Nexus 5 users are struggling with their connection though, and so I’ve put together a bunch of potential fixes for connection issues and other bugs.

Bugs and Issues

Nexus 5 users have been complaining of various Android 5.1 issues. If you don’t believe me, go to: Google’s Nexus Help Forums. They are full of complaints about Android 5.1 bugs and issues. After three weeks of use, I haven’t encountered anything major other than memory leak issues.

My Nexus 5 occasionally reboots itself like other Nexus 5s. It’s random, although it seems to happen when the phone is under pressure. Last time it happened though I was just browsing Twitter. Some people saying I found it hard to reboot the phone after these random reboots, but I didn’t have any issues there.

I’ve lost count of how many times my Nexus 5 has rebooted even though it’s definitely over 10 and definitely under 30. daily Nexus 5 experience.

The good thing is, I haven’t run into any other serious issues, and I haven’t run into any smaller annoying issues yet. If Google can fix these reboot issues, I think I’ll be in pretty good shape.

If you’re seeing Android 5.1 issues, you’ll definitely want to consult our list of common Android 5.1 issues. I haven’t been able to find a permanent solution for these reboot issues, but you can try a factory reset or revert to Android 5.0.1, Android 5.0 or KitKat if you’re happy with the old software.

Speed

At three weeks old, my Nexus 5 is still fluid and fast. I didn’t encounter any sluggishness or lag, and that’s the case with Android 5.0.1 onboard and KitKat onboard. Smooth and buttery.

final thoughts

Here’s where my head is at the three-week mark. If you’re using an older version of Android and don’t have any major issues with your Nexus 5, I wouldn’t install Android 5.1 right now. Memory leak issues are very real and there is a lot of potential for things to go wrong. Feature enhancements are nice, but they won’t change the game for most of you.

If you’re having trouble with an older version of Android, I recommend checking out our list of fixes. If these don’t work, search the forums and social media for other possible fixes. See if you can fix them yourself. Android 5.1 comes with tons of bug fixes but still, there are too many risks right now, especially if the Nexus 5 is your only phone.

Android 5.1.1 looks like a real update, so if I were you, I’d wait and see what it has to offer.