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Samsung Android 5.1 Lollipop Release Breakdown

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As we push deeper into the year and further away from the start of Google’s Android 5.1.1 and Android 5.1 Lollipop roll outs, we’re finally starting to see details emerge for non-Nexus devices including Samsung Android 5.1 update details. Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1 release details continue to emerge and today we want to breakdown everything we know so far about the release.

In March, Google rolled out an Android 5.1 Lollipop update. Android 5.1 Lollipop is an incremental update that delivers some feature tweaks and critical bug fixes to Android smartphone and tablet users. It has been rolling out to Nexus devices since mid-March.

In April, Google rolled out another Android 5.1 update in the form of Android 5.1.1. Android 5.1.1 is also an incremental update that brings several bug fixes to the Android 5.0 Lollipop platform. Android 5.1.1 has been rolling out since April but it has started to pick up steam in May.

Galaxy S6 Avengers Age of Ultron - 4

While much of the focus is on Google and its Nexus Android 5.1 roll outs, other companies are starting to pull on the spotlight. Earlier this week, Motorola confirmed upcoming Android 5.1 updates and we’ve also seen a flurry of Samsung Android 5.1 Lollipop details emerge for Galaxy smartphone users.

Samsung still hasn’t confirmed anything yet but we have seen several concrete details emerge as the company works behind the scenes to deliver new versions of Android 5.0 Lollipop to its customers. For the casual Galaxy smartphone user, its a lot of information to digest.

Today, we want to catch you up to speed and show you where we’re at in the Samsung Android 5.1 release process. Here, we’ll outline what we know and what we think we know about Samsung’s Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1 updates for its Galaxy-branded devices.

Samsung Android 5.1 Update: Will My Galaxy Get It?

Samsung hasn’t announced any concrete plans for Android 5.1 Lollipop though thanks to rumors and a listing on its developer website, we know that it’s working on more than just Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates.

We recently discovered an Android 5.1 listing on Samsung’s Developer portal that outlines fixes for the company’s camera software. This also is the only official “confirmation” that we’ve been able to track down. Everything else, at this point, is based on rumor.

Samsung Android 5.1 rumors suggest that we’ll see at least three Galaxy Android 5.1 updates push out in the future. According to the well-sourced SamMobile, the company is currently developing Android 5.1 updates for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Grand Prime though the Galaxy Grand Prime might actually get Android 5.0.2 instead.

Galaxy S6 Avengers Age of Ultron - 3

We continue to see rumors, and leaks, hint at releases for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge and it’s possible that the Galaxy Note 5’s software will also be based on Android 5.1. Beyond the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge though, things are still very murky.

Several weeks ago, a user on Reddit outlined potential plans for Samsung’s Galaxy Android 5.1 Lollipop update. The user said that the information was gleaned from a Samsung representative in Europe.

He claimed 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’s possible that Android 5.1 will be the update that brings new features to older devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5.

The key word there is the word “could.” There is nothing concrete for anyone beyond the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, and kind of sort of the Galaxy Note 5.

Samsung Android 5.1.1 Update

Thanks to a weird leak for one Galaxy S6 Edge user on T-Mobile and a report from SamMobile, we know that Samsung is probably going to release an updated version of Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Android 5.1.1, for those that don’t know, is a bug fix update that’s currently rolling out to Nexus users. The Android 5.1.1 delivers a number of big time fixes which should help to stabilize Samsung’s upcoming Android 5.1 Lollipop updates for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge and perhaps, updates for other devices as well.

Google’s Android 5.1.1 for Nexus devices doesn’t bring anything beyond bug fixes but the Samsung Android 5.1.1 update is expected to bring more than solutions for Android Lollipop problems. It’s rumored to have at least two big features on board.

Samsung Android 5.1 Features

The Samsung Android 5.1 update for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge is thought to have two new features: Guest Mode and some big time changes to the camera.

Guest Mode, for those that don’t know, is a feature that allows Android users to setup multiple profiles on a phone. It’s nice if you share a phone with a loved one, children, or if you have nosey friends that love to borrow or use your phone. The feature is not available in Samsung’s current version of Lollipop though it looks like it will make its debut in Android 5.1.

The feature was present on the Galaxy S6 Edge Android 5.1.1 update that leaked out a few days ago. That update can be seen in the video above.

In addition to new software there is an improved fingerprint sensor to unlock the Galaxy S6 Edge.

The camera features are still shrouded in mystery though SamMobile believes that Android 5.1 could bring full support for Google’s camera API which could mean “support for features like shooting in RAW and the option to control the shutter speed, which are not currently available on the S6 and S6 edge.”

These features are also rumored for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, a device that’s not expected to debut until much later this year, probably in the fall.

Samsung Android 5.1 Release Date

At this point, we have nothing except our own conclusions.

We would not, at this point, expect the first Samsung Android 5.1 release date to be right around the corner. There are a number of reasons why:

  • Development reportedly started a few short days ago. Samsung has good turnaround time but with these new features in tow, there’s probably a lot of testing that needs to be done both at Samsung and at carriers.
  • The T-Mobile Galaxy S6 Edge Android 5.1.1 update that leaked out didn’t have the camera features on board, a sign that we’re still early in development.
  • SamMobile’s early Android 5.1.1 ROM doesn’t have the camera features either.

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will almost certainly be first to the Android 5.1.1 update but at this point, we don’t know when the updates will arrive. Our best guess, at this point, is that they are still several weeks away.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. mahammad Ali

    05/24/2015 at 4:47 am

    How can I install lollipop 5.1 in my sumsang galaxy 4.4.2 version

  2. anildev

    08/30/2015 at 4:21 am

    How can i update my grand prime kitkat 4. 4. 4 version to lollipop 5. 0/5. 1 version

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