Android

7 Things to Know About the December Nexus 5X Update

Published

7 years ago

12/03/2018

The December Nexus 5X Android 8.1 Oreo update is rolling out and Google’s latest build brings a new batch of security enhancements.

Google’s latest Android 8.1 Oreo build is much smaller than the original Android 8.1 Oreo update, but it’s still an important release for Nexus 5x users.

The December Android 8.1 release enhances your Nexus 5X’s security and it could improve your device’s overall performance. Of course, there’s also a chance Google’s December Android 8.1 update ruins your Nexus 5X’s performance.

We’re already hearing about problems with the latest version of Android 8.1 and the list includes issues installation process, busted Bluetooth, battery drain, and other common Android issues.

Our guide to the December Nexus 5X Android 8.1 update addresses these problems and provides users with a solid list of potential fixes.

It also takes a look at the Nexus 5X Android 8.1 update’s performance, the Android Oreo downgrade, and some other key things current and prospective users need to know about the new Android 8.1 build.

We plan to update this roundup with new information about the update’s performance so check back in with us for regular updates as we push away from the release date.

Let’s start off with some initial impressions of the December Nexus 5X Android 8.1 update’s performance.

Nexus 5X December Update Impressions & Performance

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Before we get into an early look at the December Android 8.1 build's performance on the Nexus 5X, a few notes about the installation process.

If you're currently running the latest Android 8.1 build, and we assume most of you are, it shouldn't take long to transition from the version you're currently running to the new build. It took us just a few minutes to get the software up and running on our Nexus 5X.

We've been using the Nexus 5X's December Android 8.1 Oreo build for short time and the update is performing well in key areas including battery life, connectivity, and UI speed.

We haven't noticed any major changes on our Nexus 5X since moving from the November build. That's a good thing. We didn't run into any major problems with last month's update.

Battery life continues to hold up nicely and we have yet to run into any horrible drain during our time on Android 8.1. If you do start to encounter battery life issues, take a look at our guide to fixing bad Android Oreo battery life.

We've been able to connect the Nexus 5X to multiple routers including eero mesh Wi-Fi. So far, the speeds are fast and reliable.

We've also successfully connected the Nexus 5X to several Bluetooth devices including headphones and speakers.

The Nexus 5X in our possession feels pretty fast with the December build on board. It's still early, but animations and transitions are smooth and we haven't experienced any lag or general sluggishness.

The December update feels stable on our version of the Nexus 5X. That said, if you're feeling leery, you should think about waiting for long-term feedback emerges.