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Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 Update: 5 Things to Know

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With Google’s new Android 5.1 Lollipop update making progress, Android 5.0 Lollipop problems plaguing Galaxy users, and Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 update rumors swirling, we want to take a look at what we think Galaxy smartphone and tablet users need to know right now about the Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 update and release.

Back in December, Samsung started rolling out its version Android 5.0 Lollipop. The roll out started with Android 5.0 and the Galaxy S5 but in the weeks since, we’ve seen Samsung roll out Android 5.0 Lollipop to a number of different devices including the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note Edge. The company’s also rolled out several updates based on new versions of Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

Earlier this month, Google started rolling out a brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop update dubbed Android 5.1 Lollipop. The update is a massive bug fix update that also introduces some small but important features. Naturally, Samsung Galaxy users are interested in the prospects for their devices and we’ve seen a number of Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop update rumors emerge in recent weeks.

Galaxy-S5-Review-10-620x413

Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy S4 users have run into a number of Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. The problems have been so bad that Samsung’s been forced to halt updates in some regions. In the United States, Verizon was forced to halt its upgrade and roll out a new version of its Galaxy S5 Lollipop update. That update is rolling out right now.

With Android 5.1 Lollipop being the bug fix update that it is, there’s intense interest in a Samsung version of this update. And Android 5.1 rumors have only fueled the fire.

We’ve seen a ton of back and forth about the prospects of a Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop update and today, we want to take a look at five things Galaxy users should know about Android 5.1 Lollipop and a potential release for devices like the Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, and more.

Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop Update

In the past two weeks, Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop rumors have started to grab hold of Galaxy smartphone and tablet users, especially those dealing with problems. There has been a ton of back and forth about the prospects of an Android 5.1 Lollipop update and it’s still not clear if Samsung plans to release another version of Android 5.0 down the road.

Earlier this month, we saw a partial Samsung Galaxy Lollipop update roadmap leak. The roadmap, from SamMobile, stated that Samsung hadn’t yet started development on Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Today, in response to the various Android 5.1 Lollipop rumors floating around, the publication issued another report that says that Samsung still hasn’t started development on Android 5.1. SamMobile’s track record is solid and the information is believable. It does not, however, rule out Android 5.1 update’s for Galaxy devices.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 - Exciting Tech 2015

Recently, a user on Reddit outlined potential plans for Samsung’s Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop update. The user cites information gleaned from a Samsung representative in Europe. We aren’t familiar with the source but he is armed with credible information about the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active.

He states that Samsung could use Android 5.1 Lollipop to deliver new TouchWiz features to older devices.  Samsung is well known for bringing new TouchWiz features to older devices and it could be that Android 5.1 is the update that brings new features to older devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5. Key word there: Could.

It’s clear that Samsung either hasn’t decided either way. Work could certainly begin in the future, Android 5.1 Lollipop is rather new, but as of right now Samsung appears to be focused on its current Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop roll outs. The company also is reportedly hard at work on Android 5.0 updates for the Galaxy A series of smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 Release Date

Given that the Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 update is reportedly on the back burner, a Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop release date (if there is one) is probably months away.

LG G3 vs Galaxy Note 3 - 4

The user on Reddit claims that new TouchWiz features will land for older devices but that they will do so in the “long run.”  At this point, it’s pretty clear that nothing is imminent. That shouldn’t be surprising. Samsung’s Galaxy S6 isn’t even out on shelves and the company still has a long way to go before it completes its current Android 5.0 Lollipop updates.

If Samsung does ultimately decide to use Android 5.1 Lollipop, we may not see it roll out until much later in the year. Galaxy users would be wise to temper their expectations moving forward.

Android 5.1 Lollipop Features

The Samsung Galaxy S6 comes with less bloatware and it also allows users to uninstall Samsung applications to free up space and perhaps, improve performance. This has owners of current Galaxy models extremely excited. Android 5.1 also comes with a ton of bug fixes for Lollipop problems and that has users excited as well.

Android 5.1 vs Android 5.0 Lollipop Walkthrough: What’s New

Quick Settings

Quick Settings

Our favorite new change has to do with Quick Settings. For those that don't even know, pulling down the notification bar twice (or once with two fingers) brings up a Quick Settings menu. From here you have access to screen brightness, and toggles for WiFi, Bluetooth, a flashlight, airplane mode, auto rotate settings, location, screen casting, and more quick toggles appear as you use them. Like hotspot control, and more.

In all of our slides Android 5.1 is on the left, with the older Android 5.0 screenshot on the right.

With Android 5.1 Lollipop Google made quick settings even better. Once you swipe down twice or once with two fingers, you'll have easier access to controlling WiFi or Bluetooth and connections. Rather than fumble through settings, simply tap the little drop down arrow, and you can connect to WiFi or Bluetooth devices all from here. This is a small but very convenient change, and one of our favorites.

SamMobile claims that there is currently no word on whether or not Samsung plans to bring the Galaxy S6’s TouchWiz features to older devices. Again, this doesn’t rule anything out and we, like many others, expect Samsung to at least bring some of what the Galaxy S6 has to offer to older devices like the Galaxy Note 4.

It’s entirely possible that Samsung will opt to bring new features to older devices with a version of Android that’s not Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Android 5.1 Problems

It’s important to note that while Android 5.1 Lollipop certainly does bring a ton of fixes to the table, it also hasn’t some problems of its own. So those of you who are looking at a potential Android 5.1 Lollipop update as a savior for your Lollipop problems should start to temper expectations. Despite Google’s best efforts, Android 5.1 problems exist and there’s a very good chance Android 5.1 problems will extend so Samsung devices if and when Samsung chooses to roll it out.

Fixes for Android 5.0 Problems

With that in mind, there are a few things you need to know.

If you are dealing with Android 5.0 problems, you’ll need to be proactive. We’ve put together a a list of fixes for Galaxy S5 Lollipop problems, Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop problems, Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop problems, and Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop problems. Those are great places to start though we encourage you to gather fixes from other users, and sites, as well.

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy Note 3 -  006-X2

We should also see Samsung and its carrier partners work to correct some of these Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. We’ve already seen Samsung and carriers like Verizon reissue Android 5.0 Lollipop updates and with an Android 5.1 update months away at the very least, we should see Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 bug fix updates roll out sporadically.

Some carriers announce MR (Maintenance Release) releases ahead of time, most don’t, so if you’re dealing with Android 5.0 problems, you’ll want to be on the look out while you wait and see where Samsung goes with Android 5.1 Lollipop.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Glenn

    03/31/2015 at 10:18 am

    This first thing they could do is dump the bloatware. That would be a good start. :)

  2. Hollie

    05/07/2015 at 9:20 am

    It’s bugging me that my lock screen doesn’t tell me when I have a message. I have to unlock my phone and go into my messages to see. Is this with everyone’s?

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