Earlier this week, Google rolled out a new Android 6.0 build of the Nexus 5X to its flagship device. The update is minor, but even the smallest updates can have a negative impact on your device and its performance. With that in mind, we want to take a look at how this November Nexus 5X Android 6.0 update is performing.
When Google’s Nexus 5X arrived, it was running Google’s Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system. We’re a few weeks after the Nexus 5X release date, and the device is still running Android 6.0, albeit a different build.
Google releases a security update for Nexus phones every month. And earlier this week the company November Nexus begins rolling out security update. The update is small but important for devices like the Nexus 5X.
This new November Android 6.0 build doesn’t bring new features but it does bring some critical fixes for security issues. It will fix the issues but it may also bring some issues to Nexus users. Previous security updates have done this a lot.
Yesterday I got a notification asking me to install this November Android 6.0 build on my Nexus 5X. With the update rolling out, I’d like to take a look at its performance and performance on Google’s flagship device. It’s a minor update, but there’s still reason to be wary.
Nexus 5X Update Download (November)
This November security update for the Nexus 5X is minor. And when I say small, I mean really small. For me the download was 6.8MB in total.
The download took a few seconds, but the installation took a few minutes to complete. If you install this update, give yourself about 15 minutes for the update to complete. That should be enough.
While we almost always see complaints about the installation process, you shouldn’t expect any installation issues. If you run into issues, take a look at our fix list.
Nexus 5x Android 6.0 Marshmallow Performance (November)
Since this update doesn’t include any new features, the focus will be on the update’s performance in a few key areas.
Again, even minor security updates like this can cause problems and so after spending a full day I want to give you some feedback on the update.
Apps
I spent the last day digging through all the apps on my Nexus 5X. The ones I use the most are Asana, Slack, YouTube, Chrome, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Hangouts, Spotify, Google Maps and SoundCloud.
So far, none of this has given me a problem. I didn’t notice a drop in performance and only saw a few Chrome crashes. This was pretty standard during my experience with the Nexus 5X.
If you see some issues with your apps after installing this update, take a look at our list of fixes. It’s probably not this security update that’s causing the problems.
battery life
I didn’t notice any decrease in battery life. The Nexus 5X still holds an excellent charge when in use and in standby mode. The Nexus 5X’s battery and Android 6.0’s Doze are a top-notch duo. I don’t expect this to change.
I can’t talk about long-term battery life, but I have a feeling that nothing will change between now and Google’s next update.
If you encounter a battery life issue after installing this update on your Nexus 5X, have a look at our list of fixes for Android 6.0 battery life issues. They should help.
Wi-Fi, LTE and Bluetooth
I’ve been testing the Nexus 5X on several Bluetooth devices and a few routers and haven’t had any problems connecting so far.
The device paired quickly with all my Bluetooth devices and I was also able to get excellent speeds from various Wi-Fi connections. I briefly tested it on AT&T’s LTE network (I swapped some SIM cards to be able to do this) and didn’t run into any issues.
Security updates are not supposed to break Wi-Fi, cellular data, or Bluetooth, so check our list of fixes if you see anything wrong.
Bugs and Issues
Nothing new, at least not yet.
Speed
The Nexus 5X is still extremely fast with this new build onboard. The user interface is fluid, apps open quickly and I can navigate easily on the home screen.
It’s a brand new smartphone, so I don’t expect lag until we’re into year two or even three. He has a long life ahead of him.
Should You Install the November Nexus 5X Update?
I haven’t discovered anything wrong with this new security build, at least not yet. I’ve only been using it for 24 hours, so there’s a chance something will pop up in the future.
That said, I think this update is worth downloading. Performance is solid and comes with a number of patches for potential security vulnerabilities. The most dangerous is an exploit that “enables remote code execution on an affected device through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files.”
If you haven’t seen the update yet, it will arrive on your device soon.
