AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop Impressions & Performance

After what seems like an eternity the AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop update is here to deliver a new look to the AT&T Galaxy S5. This update trickles in well after Verizon and other carriers, but for many users the wait is worth it. After several days of using the AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop I am not seeing the many Galaxy S5 Lollipop problems that impact the Verizon model.

When you install the AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop you still will see a familiar Samsung look on top of Android, but there are a variety of changes to the look of apps, menus and other areas that deliver a fresher look.

Here is how the AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop update performs after several days with common apps and tasks. If you aren’t familiar with the update you can check out what’s new in Android 5.0.

With Verizon Galaxy S5 problems and some AT&T Galaxy Note 4 problems I spent a lot of time testing features on the Galaxy S5 so that I could make sure this is a worthwhile update.

Read our early Galaxy S5 Lollipop review to figure out if you should install this update.

The AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop update brings one of my favorite features to the Galaxy S5 — Smart Lock. When the Galaxy S5 is connected to a trusted Bluetooth device or in a trusted location you don’t need to enter a lock screen pattern or pass code. This is a small, but helpful update.

The Galaxy S5 is still one step behind the Android 5.1 update, but so far this is a good update on my device and one that Galaxy S5 owners on AT&T have been waiting for.

Read: Galaxy S5 Tips & Tricks

This is my early AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop review. It is not an exhaustive look at the update, but it does offer an early look at the performance, features and other important details.

AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop Installation

After the AT&T Galaxy S5 found the update the overall installation process was smooth, but starting was a little bit of a hassle. It took a day before the device discovered the Lollipop update and the update started to download in the background on WiFi without any option to see the progress bar until I restarted the phone.

After the 1.5GB update downloaded the Galaxy S5 reported that I did not have enough storage free to perform the update. After clearing the cache and deleting some downloads i freed up enough space on the AT&T Galaxy S5 to install Lollipop.

About 30 minutes later the update completed, running through the long process of upgrading the apps for Android.

AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop Performance

I spent the last three days with the Galaxy S5 by my side, testing the overall Lollipop performance on this device and a variety of apps. There is a little lag, but overall there are not major problems with my AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop installation and use. This can vary from one device to the next and it is possible that the apps that you use and other factors will change your experience.

I mainly use the Galaxy S5 for productivity and entertainment. I do not play intense games on it, but i watch videos, check Facebook and email and use other time-wasting games as well as browse the web and check in on Reddit.

Galaxy S5 Apps

I use many of the same Galaxy S5 apps as I do on my Galaxy Note 4, but I don’t use Android Wear with the Galaxy S5 at this time. Common apps are Facebook, Android Wear, Twitter, Gmail, Google Maps and I also use Spotify, Netflix and HBO Go, although I don’t watch a lot of full movies on the device.

So far all the apps work on Android 5.0 Lollipop on the Galaxy S5. I did need to update Google Play Services twice before I could use some of these apps, but after completing that process I was soon able to get back to using my apps.

All of the Galaxy S5 apps remained installed an on the home screen after the update. Sometimes the Android update process can remove shortcuts or icons, but that was not an issue this time.

Galaxy S5 Lollipop Battery Life

So far the only issue I experience is lag when launching apps.

We saw many Galaxy S5 Lollipop battery life problems after the Verizon update arrived. So far the Galaxy S5 battery life is solid with use and standby time remaining in line with Android Kitkat.

If you do experience Galaxy S5 battery life issues you can use our guide to fix bad Galaxy S5 Lollipop battery life. This should help you identify many issues and fix them.

WiFi, LTE & Bluetooth

Big updates can mess with connectivity, but so far I can still use the AT&T LTE connection with the same speed and signal strength as on KitKat. Bluetooth is working, though I still need to test it in a car and with a keyboard. WiFi is strong throughout my house and in other locations I need to connect.

Bugs & Issues

The only Galaxy S5 issues I am experience relate to the speed, which I’ll cover in more detail below. There are some users who are running into problems with the Galaxy S5 Lollipop update in general, so you may want to check those issues out further before upgrading.  We offer a list of fixes for Galaxy S5 Lollipop problems, that you may want to try if you run into any of these issues.

Speed

There is some lag on the AT&T Galaxy S5 after installing Lollipop. It’s not enough to make me want to throw my phone against the wall, but it is there. When opening an app sometimes the app will take a while to open, and that is even delayed from the touch on the screen.

If this doesn’t improve over the next several days a factory reset is in order. This solved a similar speed issue on the Galaxy S4 when upgrading to KitKat last year.

Should You Install the AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop Update?

Should you tap install on the AT&T Galaxy S5 lollipop update?

If you need to fix Galaxy S5 problems on KitKat and you want the new features and new looks in apps and other areas the AT&T Galaxy S5 Lollipop update is something you can install today without major show-stopping issues. The lag is an issue of concern, but if you are willing to take chance you can install this update knowing that a factory reset may be in your future.

If you have no immediate need for this update it may be worth waiting a week for our full review and to see if there are any undiscovered issues. It will likely take some time before another Galaxy S5 Android update arrives, so you will be waiting with any problems that this update brings.

More Choice with Android

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Apple offers more choice than we've seen from them before with the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone SE as well as older models -- but you still only have three screen sizes and two designs to pick from.  Android delivers more options with waterproof phones, different screen sizes, more colors, different materials and other differentiating factors.  With Android smartphones users can choose a waterproof option like the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge or go with a modular design like the LG G5. 2017 brings newer designs and options. There is also support for a huge screen with a built-in stylus with the Note 6. In addition to these big names, there are many other options from Motorola, Huawei and if you include last year's releases a number of other interesting options.  There are also options to buy an Android phone with wireless charging or a replaceable battery, neither of which is available without adding a case to the iPhone. Users can pick the phone size and design they want, and they can also pick a phone that offers a replaceable battery, a great camera or another feature without limiting to just two phones for the latest features and user experience.

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