Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop Release Date Confirmed

Sprint today confirmed the Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop release date for today, November 12th, and it looks like it will only be a matter of time before Nexus 5 users can move from Android 4.4 KitKat to the new Nexus 5 Android 5.0 update.

Back in June, Google took the stage at Google I/O 2014 and announced Android L. The company showed off a number of new features including the update’s Material Design but it failed to confirmed a specific name for the software or a release date. Google did, however, release a beta version of the update for developers using the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013.

Months later, Google sent out a short press release detailing the Nexus 6, Nexus 9 from HTC, and the Android L update, now known as Android 5.0 Lollipop. At the time, the company confirmed the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for a number of devices including Google Play Edition devices and the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 th0ugh it did not confirm a specific release date.

Today, we finally have our first Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date thanks to Sprint. The carrier’s support page reveals plans to update the Nexus 5 with Android 5.0 Lollipop starting today. Today had been rumored to be the start of Google’s Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop update though the company did not, and still has not, confirmed it for Nexus users.

Sprint’s confirmation is a good sign though the update does not appear to be rolling out at the moment. We also have yet to see Android 5.0 Lollipop factory images and binaries push into Google’s AOSP though that could take place in the near future as the company moves to get the update out to Nexus users and the general public.

Right now, this is the only Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date confirmation that we have. We still haven’t seen anything in regard to the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 Android 5.0 Lollipop updates. Nexus Android updates typically roll out within a few days of each other so we could certainly see information regarding these updates emerge in the hours, days and perhaps weeks ahead.

Sprint’s Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update change log doesn’t reveal much of anything. The carrier simply says that the device will be getting Android 5.0 Lollipop and that it will “will be rolled out to devices in batches.” In other words, some Nexus 5 users will have to wait several days for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to arrive, provided it does actually roll out today. It also notes that the build for the Nexus 5 will be LRX21O.

If the roll out does start today as Sprint suggests, Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA roll out for Nexus devices will coincide with the Moto X and Moto G Android 5.0 Lollipop updates, both of which started today. Several other manufacturers including HTC, LG and Sony have confirmed a number of Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for arrival and LG is expected to push the LG G3 Android 5.0 Lollipop update in the near future.

Samsung, the world’s largest Android manufacturer, still hasn’t announced its Android 5.0 Lollipop plans though it’s expected to release the update for the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy Note 4 at least. Those updates have all been rumored with the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop updates rumored for late 2014. The Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 update is expected in 2015.

Android Lollipop will be a massive release for all of these devices as it delivers huge design changes and a number of new features making it the biggest Android update in years. Nexus users will be treated to Google’s brand new Material Design, improved notifications, a host of bug fixes for Android 4.4 KitKat problems, and more.