Connect with us

Android

September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update: First Impressions

Published

on

Earlier this month, Google confirmed a new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update that comes with security patches and bug fixes. While the update is small, it could certainly have a negative impact on performance. With that in mind, we want to tell you how the September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build is performing.

Google’s Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update has been out for several months now though the company continues to release new builds with security patches and bug fixes. It’s all part of Google’s newfound commitment to security after the Stagefright Vulnerability put a scare into people.

In August, Google rolled out a new Android 5.1.1 build for the Nexus 5 and its other Nexus devices. The update brought a fix for Stagefright but it also brought some problems to Nexus 5 users. Small updates like these have a tendency to cause issues so we weren’t the least bit surprised.

Nexus-5-5

A few days ago Google confirmed plans to roll out a new Nexus Android 5.1.1 build ahead of its Android Marshmallow release and today that update is rolling out to Nexus 5 users in the United States.

I just received a notification to install a brand new Android 5.1.1 Lollipop build on the Nexus 5. The update comes a few days after Google posted factory images and binaries on its website. I typically wait for the OTA to arrive and today it finally touched down.

With a September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update rolling out, I want to take a look at the update and its performance on the aging former flagship from 2013. This is a small update that comes with some nondescript fixes but as I’ve mentioned many times, even the smallest Android updates can negatively impact performance.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Installation (September)

The September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build is a tiny update, 16MB to be exact. That’s absolutely tiny for an update and as you might expect, it only took a few seconds to download Over-the-Air once I tapped on the prompt.

The installation itself took around ten minutes or so because I have 117 apps on my Nexus 5 and the operating system needed to optimize every single one of them.

Android-5-1-1

If you’re connected to a fast Wi-Fi connection and you don’t have 500 apps on your Nexus 5, the download and installation process should take you no more than 20 minutes to complete.

Overall, the download/installation process was smooth and it should be smooth for you if you’re coming from an unmodified stock version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Performance (September)

I’ve been using this new September Nexus Android 5.1.1 update for a few hours now and I want to provide some feedback on its overall performance. Before getting into my first impressions, I want to point out a few things to you.

First off, mileage is going to vary. I probably have different apps and I probably use my Nexus 5 differently than you do. So use these impressions as a general guide as you make plans to install, or skip, this new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build.

Apps

I’ve been using as many apps as possible in the hours after the installation and thus far, I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.

My core group of Android applications includes Asana, Slack, YouTube, Chrome, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Hangouts, Spotify, Google Maps, and SoundCloud. None of these have been exhibiting problems and none of my secondary apps have given me any trouble either.

Nexus-5-2

Twitter and Chrome continue to be the most problematic applications and neither one has acted up. That’s a good sign but I expect to run into problems down the road. I always do.

If you’re dealing with issues, try installing the latest bug fixes. If that doesn’t work, try reinstalling the app. If that doesn’t help, contact the developer.

Battery Life

So far, I haven’t had any problems with Nexus 5 battery life. It’s still holding up nicely after this new Android 5.1.1 build and I don’t anticipate any drain in the future.

If you’re feeling nervous or if you’re already seeing weird battery drain after installing the update, you’ll want to check out our list of potential fixes for Android 5.1.1 battery life problems. There are a number of proven fixes in there that might help.

If none of those work, the Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow release should be just around the corner. Google’s rumored to be holding an event at the end of the month and we should get a release date then.

Wi-Fi, LTE & Bluetooth

I’ve been testing the Nexus 5 with a number of different Bluetooth devices and I haven’t run into any problems yet. My speakers and headphones have been able to pair with it no problem.

I’ve also yet to run into any issues with Wi-Fi and LTE. AT&T’s network is holding up nicely and I’ve been able to successfully connect to several different routers without running into any slow or non-existent connections. Everything is normal.

Bugs & Issues

I’ve been on the hunt for bugs and issues but like the last Android 5.1.1 build, I’ve been unable to find any significant problems. Not surprising given how small this update is.

Nexus-5 11.03.29 AM

Large, widespread problems typically make themselves known immediately so I’m confident that there aren’t any on board this security update. Smaller bugs are harder to spot but given the stability of the last update, I think the chances of running into something are pretty slim.

Given the size of this update, my guess is that problems will be extremely isolated to just a few Nexus 5 users.

Speed

My Nexus 5 is still very fast with this new September Android 5.1.1 update on board. Animations and transitions are fluid and I haven’t noticed any sluggishness or freezing after the update. It feels very snappy.

Should You Install the September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update?

This September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update doesn’t appear to have any major problems on board. I haven’t noticed any and I haven’t heard about any widespread issues.

If you’re concerned with security and you want the latest fixes, you should be able to install this update without any problems.

If you’re concerned with how it might impact performance ahead of the Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow release, you should be alright if you decide to hold out.

Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow Release: 7 Things to Expect

Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow Release Details

Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow Release Details

Google still isn't talking about the Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow release though we expect it to shower Nexus 5 users with new details in the near future. 

Nexus launch rumors point to an announcement in San Francisco on September 29th. This date isn't set in stone but it appears likely.

This date will likely serve as the launch pad for the two rumored Nexus smartphones and the Android Marshmallow update. And it's here that you can expect Google to outline its public release plans for the first time. 

We'd expect the company to talk up Android Marshmallow features and we'd expect it to confirm its roll out plans for older Nexus phones and tablets like the Nexus 5. This is standard Android release protocol and we don't expect anything outlandish from Google.

We also wouldn't be surprised if we saw several Nexus 5 Android 6.0 release rumors emerge ahead of this launch date. We typically about Google's plans before it can reveal said plans. So, if you're interested in Android 6.0, you'll want to keep an eye out in September. 

17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. Anthony Tanas

    09/16/2015 at 6:46 pm

    I hope Google has got more careful with testing new releases. I had thought my battery had gone bad on my Nexus 5 and almost replaced it a few months ago but obviously it turned out to be a bad update as it’s now working fine.

    Updates aside the Nexus 5 has been the absolute best smartphone I have owned. I’ve had it for nearly two years and am an xtremely heavy user and it runs great and the battery is still good. I have recently started to notice few artifacts on the display… Not too bad overall though.

    In thinking ahead on my next phone I had heard that there was going to be a second version of the Nexus 5? Is this so? The Nexus 6 is just too high of a price for what I’ve gotten used to with Nexus especially since I buy unlocked with no contract. Also I like having it so that common mobile mishaps aren’t a minor tragedy like they are with my iDevices. (Google also got rid of several well priced “Google Play edition” versions of several devices from their site further limiting my choices as these appealed to me.)

    The lack of a cheap tablet like the old Nexus 7 from Google is also a disappointment. The new devices look great but Nexus to me meant bone stock Android in a high value package (esp. with the phenominally priced Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 – even the spendier Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 10 were still very good but not amazing values) and the value proposition has gone decidedly down as the prices have gone up. To me Nexus was to mobile computing what the Lotus Elise is to sports cars. The Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 missed the Nexus mark in terms of value. I hope that trend is reversed.

    Anyway thanks for the review and marshmallow update!

  2. Trevor

    09/16/2015 at 7:35 pm

    On my Nexus 4, I suddenly discovered tonight that the “Install” link doesn’t work on the permissions screen when installing or updating an app. The “Cancel” link does, however. And I installed the update just a few days ago, so I’m sure it’s related (I’ve tried rebooting to no avail).

  3. Chetan

    09/16/2015 at 9:08 pm

    My 1 yr 9 month old Nexus 5 went into an infinite reboot loop which Google pushed off to LG and LG recommended talking to my service provider. They wouldn’t give me an estimate on the repairs. I took it to a local mobile phone repair shop, who recommended that i look at a new phone as they too could not get it to work.

  4. Trevor

    09/16/2015 at 9:53 pm

    Never mind on my problem – it wasn’t the update, it was the Twilight app I am using. Pausing it fixed the problem.

  5. Mukesh Kumar

    09/17/2015 at 4:30 am

    the 5.1.1 update is worst for me. I think it will damage my phone, my phone gets switched off any time while talking, charging and calling after 5.1.1 version installation.

  6. Rob

    09/17/2015 at 6:48 am

    On my Nexus 7 (latest model) this update seem to have broken google play services redering the device unusable!
    The tablet is every second or so popping up a message that must be acknowledged, saying “Unfortunately Google Play services have stopped” … have cleared/formatted the cache etc. no joy.
    Will tonight at home have to backup docs, media and so on (just to be sure not to loose valuable stuff) before to perform a factory reset … which may or may not help … :-(
    It is to me unbelievable that these kind of updates go to the main update channel instead of just available to beta testers.
    I’m not a happy android user at this moment in time …

    • Rob

      09/17/2015 at 1:30 pm

      Okay, at home have had to factory reset the device … while resetting the Nexus 7 got stuck on the erase phase in the process … totally ‘kaputt’.
      Luckily for me still under warranty but as soon as Asus gives me any trouble, definitely the last Android :-(
      Please careful with this Google update …

  7. SHUSSBAR

    09/17/2015 at 8:50 am

    I downloaded the upgrade. The phone is now optimizing all apps (105) but keeps turning off during applications optimization???

    • mtpmedia2013

      09/17/2015 at 5:33 pm

      I have the same issue but I noticed that if you plug in to a charger while booting it tends to continue working (still optimizes all apps) – seems to do this every time the phone is restarted since the update.

      • SHUSSBAR

        09/17/2015 at 6:21 pm

        Yes it worked. I actually think that my battery was very low hence it was optimizing a few apps, then turning off. then back on, a few apps then off. I plugged it and all aps were optimized finally. Everything is fine now.

  8. Adrianhfrierson

    09/17/2015 at 9:00 am

    0=006my buddy’s sister-in-law makes $63 an hour on the laptop . She has been fired from work for 8 months but last month her pay check was $21022 just working on the laptop for a few hours…. Find Out More

  9. Cass

    09/17/2015 at 8:42 pm

    I completed this update, and now all my phone calls have a popping sounds. What do I need to do to make this stop????

  10. Alexander

    09/18/2015 at 12:07 am

    Bad Bad Google! After updating 5.1.1. on my nexus 5 in the evening, it worked for one night and in the morning shut down itself and stuck in the boot loop, with even entering recovery mode wasn’t possible. I spent 3 hours dealing with the phone and now it up and running but, but I still can;t understand what actually happened and what is the solution. Oh, probably the solution is not to update at all..

    • Kev

      09/21/2015 at 1:56 pm

      What did you do to fix the issue? I’m running into this now

  11. Kev

    09/21/2015 at 1:56 pm

    Alexander what did you do to fix the issue?

  12. Gabriel Daigle

    09/23/2015 at 9:50 pm

    First update in a long time that is actually affected my Nexus 5 negatively. Getting a lot of lag time in between apps switching from screen to screen. Having to do lots of reboots. I don’t know what the story is I just hope Marshmallow comes out soon to take care of the problem. That having been said, the Google Nexus 5 is still the best smart phone I’ve ever owned. And it’s not even close.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.