As we head deeper into May, we’re finally starting to see the Nexus Android 5.1.1 release roll out. While the release is still on many people’s minds, we continue to be fed with questions and new details from Nexus smartphone and tablet users. With that in mind, we take a look at what we can expect from the upcoming Nexus Android 5.1.1 release.
Two months ago, Google rolled out a massive Android 5.1 update that not only fixes persistent Lollipop issues, but also brings new features to Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 owners. It didn’t land for the Nexus 9.
Android 5.1 Lollipop fixed a number of problems, but it also brought its own problems. Nexus Android 5.1 issues surfaced right after the update was released. While some users had success using third-party fixes, others were hopeful that Google would roll out an Android 5.1.1 update.
The relief appeared in early April, and a few days later, Google approved Android 5.1.1. The company’s version of Android 5.1.1 for Nexus devices still hasn’t received much attention, but it’s finally porting to some notable devices like Nexus 10, Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 9.
Nexus users we spoke with are extremely excited about the Android 5.1.1 update and its fixes, with many of them dying to install the latest update from Google. We don’t blame you.
With Android 5.1.1 finally gaining traction, we’d like to take a look at how we can expect Google’s latest Android 5.0 Lollipop to turn out as we move towards Google I/O 2015.
More Silence from Google
Earlier this week, Google started rolling out Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for Nexus 9. Yes, you read it right. Naturally, Nexus 9 users were surprised and many were angry. Their responses attracted attention from Google because the company unusually used Google Nexus social media accounts to announce the release of Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1.
We don’t have a mole in the Google engineering team, but our guess is that this announcement was a reaction to the mountains of complaints that have piled up since Google’s weird Android 5.0.2 release. Android 5.1.1 also represents the first major Nexus 9 update in quite some time.
We don’t expect the same treatment for the company’s other Android 5.1.1 releases. Google usually doesn’t offer red carpets for incremental bug fix updates. For example, Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 rolled out without any trumpets or celebrations. We also don’t expect Google to summarize any of the upcoming Android 5.1.1 releases. This is an even rarer sight to behold.
We hope we are wrong, but we are not optimistic at this point. Expect to wait in the dark while Google completes the tests behind the scenes.
Nexus 6 Android 5.1.1 Version
Google hasn’t announced a Nexus 6 Android 5.1.1 update, but we’re still waiting for an update to be released. Google’s Android 5.1.1 changelog lists Special fixes for “shamu” this means that there is a very good chance that we will see this update become available in the future. It’s hard to predict when the update will be available, but it shouldn’t take too long as Google’s rollout is progressing.
Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Version
Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 version is also in uncertainty. Google hasn’t directly announced a Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update, but it’s pretty clear that an update is coming.
The Android 5.1.1 changelog contains a crucial fix for the Nexus 5, a device known as the “hammerhead”. This fix? A solution to the camera issue plaguing tons of Nexus 5 users.
We hope that the Android 5.1.1 update will fix the memory leak issue that has plagued our Nexus 5 for several weeks. Random reboots and app crashes are starting to drive us crazy.
Like the Nexus 6 Android 5.1.1 release, the Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 release date is hard to predict, but we don’t expect it to be too far off.
Nexus 4 Android 5.1.1 Version
We’re not so sure about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1.1 release, we haven’t seen any concrete proof yet, but we’d be surprised (and saddened) if Google’s mako doesn’t rise. Android 5.1.1.
Nexus 4 users are dealing with issues with Android 5.1 and below and it’s clear that it needs a brand new update to fix some of these issues.
An Android 5.1.1 stability update makes sense, especially if Google refuses to roll out an Android M update to its aging legacy flagship. It will not want to leave users on an old, faulty version of Android. We expect a release soon, it’s hard to say when.
Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 Version
Nexus 9 users had to wait, but Android 5.1.1 has finally arrived. Google says the update will roll out over Wi-Fi starting today, and the update can’t come at a better time.
According to this Android PoliceAndroid 5.0.2 Lollipop update assembled several Nexus 9 models. While some users said that factory reset helped fix the problem, other Nexus 9 users are still dealing with an unusable tablet.
We expect the Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 update to follow the protocol. This means that we expect you to be able to install the update early using the factory images or the file from the Google server. Those of you who don’t sideload should expect to wait a few days.
It will almost certainly take a week or so before the Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 release is available to everyone. Note that this is a pretty big update, given that Android 5.1 skipped the Nexus 9.
Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 Version
The Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update is available for the Wi-Fi versions of the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013. Both updates are broadcast over Wi-Fi.
We don’t expect Google to drop these two updates. Instead, we expect the Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 release to expand and cover the cellular versions of the software known as Nexus 7 3G and Nexus 7 LTE.
Connection is solid on Nexus 7 with Android 5.1.1.
Again, Android 5.1.1 is a minor but crucial update for Nexus devices, and we certainly can’t see Google letting those devices linger on an older, buggy version of Android 5.0. Has already messed with one set of pitchforks (Nexus 9 users), probably doesn’t want to mess with another.
These devices often rank last for major updates, so it wouldn’t surprise us if they’re the latest to arrive on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.
Android 5.1.1 Issues That Will Grow
We expect Android 5.1.1 Lollipop issues to grow. we started see and hear Some complaints about Android 5.1.1 issues and the update is just a few days old. As Android 5.1.1 reaches more Nexus users and more devices, expect to hear more from specific Nexus users.
@admillios Terrible delay. Wretched! It freezes on a black screen. The good news, though, is that the battery life is incredible. 😉
— Joe Beardsley (@JoeBeardsley) May 7, 2015
Expect to see more complaints about connectivity and poor battery life. We are waiting for a complaint about lag. And we expect smaller issues to pop up for many users. We expect these issues because they’ve plagued every Nexus Android version we’ve ever been a part of.
If you encounter Android 5.1.1 issues, you can expect some of these fixes to work in your favor.
Solid Android 5.1.1 Reviews
We expect Android 5.1.1 reviews to be mixed. Sure, we’ll hear a lot about rotten apples, but expect some success stories out there as well. After all, Android 5.1.1 is a bug fix update and its purpose is to tackle some of the biggest Lollipop issues that need to be resolved.
We’ve been using the Nexus 7 2013 Android 5.1.1 update for a few days now and we’re very impressed. We didn’t see any battery drain issues, lag or connectivity issues. Android 5.1.1 is extremely seamless for us and we expect it to be seamless for others as well.
Many users may want to wait before installing Nexus 7 2013 Android 5.1.1.
This is exactly why we recommend preparing your Nexus and yourself for the arrival of the Android 5.1.1 update. There is always a risk in installing new firmware, especially on Nexus devices, but you can limit that risk if you do some prep work before the OTA.
Android 5.1.1 performance will vary from person to person, device to device, so don’t take one person’s word for it. Not even ours We recommend doing your research for performance feedback before deciding what to do about Nexus Android 5.1.1.
No Android 5.1.2 Help Soon
We won’t be seeing Google release a new Android 5.1 version anytime soon, unless Android 5.1.1 is causing some nasty issues or fails to address these memory leak issues in general.
Could Google release an Android 5.1.2 update in the future? Definitely. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if Google releases another stabilization update before its next major release. We didn’t expect the release to be just around the corner. We expect the company to focus on Android 5.1.1 and Android M.
Android M Announcement Coming Soon
Expect Android 5.1.1 to be overshadowed by the Android M announcement at Google I/O 2015 later this month.
Google isn’t talking about Android M yet, but a reference to the update appeared recently at Google’s I/O 2015 lineup. A reference to Android M (now gone) is buried deep in the calendar. Android 5.0 Lollipop used to be called Android L before it was released, which means Android M should be Google’s next major Android update.
Google I/O 2015 kicks off with a keynote on May 28. The keynote, which begins at 9:30 AM PST, is where Google usually makes all its big announcements. We are waiting for Google to announce its next update here.
We expect Android 5.1.1 Lollipop to be finished before Google releases the general version of Android M. The company is slow, but not that slow. That said, we wouldn’t be surprised if an Android M developer preview is offered before the end of Google’s Android 5.1.1 distribution is complete.
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We hope this puts the perspective of the Nexus Android 5.1.1 release for those of you who have questions. We will continue to treat the update like banshees to bring you the latest details from Google and Nexus users themselves.
