Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop Release Date: What to Expect

With a Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date confirmed for the weeks ahead, we want to take a look at what we expect from the Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 Android 5.0 Lollipop release date from Google.

Google’s Android L update was first announced as Android 4.4 KitKat’s successor back in June at Google I/O. At the event, Google did not confirm an Android L release date or name though it did outline many of its features and release a pre-release version to Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 5 users. In the weeks after that early release, we saw features teased and release dates rumored and earlier this week, Google finally spilled the beans on Android L.

Google’s Android L update, as expected, is called Android 5.0 Lollipop. The update will be accompanied by two new Nexus devices including a Nexus 9 from HTC and a Nexus 6 from Motorola. Both devices will help usher in a new era for Google and its Android operating system. Problem is, Google still hasn’t confirmed a specific Android 5.0 Lollipop release date.

The company confirmed several Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for arrival including updates for the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 7 2012, and Nexus 10. And while those updates are confirmed, the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date remains out of reach, at least for now.

With that in mind, we want to help paint a release picture for Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 7 2012, and Nexus 10 users. This will outline what we know so far about the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Nexus devices and delve into our own expectations. These expectations are based on Google’s history and our own gut feelings about Google’s upcoming release.

Here are 10 things you can expect from Google’s upcoming Android 5.0 release for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10.

Silence from Google

Expect Google to remain silent all the way up until the first Android 5.0 Lollipop release date. In other words, don’t expect the company to trot out a press release or any detailed release announcements ahead of its arrival. The company almost always remains silent in the build up to an update’s arrival and we expect nothing less this time around.

Obviously, there are pros and cons here. While it’s frustrating to have an open-ended release date, it’s also nice that Google won’t be setting your expectations. Release dates depend on the testing process and there’s always a chance that something could go wrong behind the scenes. If Google promised a hard release date and couldn’t deliver, think about how many pitchforks would come out.

It will announce the Android 5.0 Lollipop releases for Nexus devices when its ready to deliver. Nexus users must remain patient and know that Google’s intentions are good.

Nexus Android 5.0 Release Date in November

Google’s official line is “coming weeks” but we fully expect the company to deliver the Android 5.0 Lollipop update in November, right around the time that it releases the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 on shelves.

The company almost always delivers its new Android software right around the Nexus hardware release date. In this case, we could have two different release dates and we expect the Android 5.0 update to arrive in and around both.

With Black Friday and the holiday shopping season coming up, Google will want to get devices like the Nexus 5 updated to make them even more appealing than they already are. Google’s Nexus 5 will be sticking around on the Google Play Store as the company’s budget alternative to the Motorola Nexus 6, the latter of which costs $650 and $700 on-contract.

Nexus 10 & Nexus 7 Android 5.0 Releases First

Android Police released a document that not only points to an Android 5.0 release in early November but also points to specific release dates for two Nexus devices. The site is very reliable and the information, while not official, should be treated as credible.

The site claims that Google will release the Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 Wi-Fi only Android 5.0 updates on November 3rd. This is the same day that Google plans to release the Nexus 9 on shelves so the timing makes sense. It also makes sense that it would push out its Wi-Fi updates a little bit sooner given the certifications that cellular devices need ahead of a release.

Barring any unforeseen disaster behind the scenes, we expect this intel to hold up and for Google to use November 3rd as a massive release day for Nexus devices both new and old.

Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (LTE) Next

The document suggests that the Nexus 5, Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 LTE will all get their updates after the initial Android 5.0 push. No specific dates are mentioned but imagine that they will roll out sometime in November as well, ahead of the start of holiday shopping. We’d also expect them to roll out in close proximity to one another with the Nexus 7 LTE coming last if it doesn’t roll out on the same day.

Google’s been very slow to upgrade the Nexus 7 with the latest Android software and we would not be shocked if that trend continue with the Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

Slow Android 5.0 Roll Out

We fully expect Google to do what it always does and that’s roll out these updates Over-the-Air over the course of a week or more. Google rolls out its Nexus Android updates in batches so that it can ensure a smooth delivery to the thousands of Nexus users across the globe. Often times, these roll outs can last a week or longer.

In other words, if you own a Nexus 10 or Nexus 7, you may not get Android 5.0 Lollipop on November 3rd. You might get it on November 4th, November 5th or later. Expect a staggered roll out for all of these devices including the devices that aren’t listed with a November 3rd release date.

Manual Upgrade Ahead of OTAs

Expect a way to upgrade ahead of the OTAs if you don’t want to wait. Google always pushes its updates out into AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ahead of the OTA which allows Nexus users to sideload the software. We expect this to happen with Android 5.0 and for those with the knowledge to be able to sideload efficiently, and effectively, before the OTA roll outs.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Problems

We fully expect Android 5.0 Lollipop, the final version of the update, to deliver problems to Nexus users. Google’s new update will deliver bug fixes for Android 4.4 KitKat problems but that doesn’t mean that it’s not going to have some problems of its own. Android updates, especially major Android updates, always deliver problems to Nexus users. It’s a fact of life.

So, don’t go in thinking that you’re going to come out unscathed. There’s a very good chance that if you roll into the Android 5.0 release date unprepared, you’re going to come out of it with several issues on board. Make sure everything is backed up, install app updates, and clean up your device ahead of the release. Things will go a lot smoother if you do.

Android 5.0 Bug Fix Updates Weeks Away

We do expect Google to release an Android 5.0.1 or perhaps Android 5.1 update in the future. Google typically releases a few bug fix updates between two major Android updates though they’re typically not as frequent as Apple’s. We expect to see anywhere from one to three bug fix updates between now and the release of Google’s next major Android update.