Google Extends Life of Nexus 5X & Nexus 6P

They probably won’t get Android P but Google’s extended the life of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.

Google recently rolled out Android 8.0 Oreo to the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P and both are expected to get upgraded to new versions of Oreo as Google refines its operating system. That said, neither device is expected to get upgraded to the next major Android update, an update that will likely be referred to (at least initially) as Android P.

The company says it can’t guarantee Android version updates to Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X users after September 2017. This means Android Oreo is probably going to be their last major update. Unless, of course, Google changes its mind.

Google also said it planned to extend security updates to the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X through September 2018. Those plans have changed.

A recent update to the Google Support page states that the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X aren’t guaranteed security updates after November 2018. The same can be said for guaranteed telephone and online support. The change to the language was first noticed by Droid-Life.

What this means is that the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X should get security updates from Google, and its carrier partners, for the next year at the very least. After November 2018, support for the two devices will likely come to an end.

The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P should also get any maintenance updates Google releases between now and the release of next year’s Android operating system.

The company is reportedly working on an Android 8.1 update that could debut as soon as October 4th alongside the company’s rumored Pixel 2. The new version of Oreo recently popped up in a Google app beta.

Last year, Google revealed Android 7.1 Nougat alongside its Pixel and Pixel XL and put it in beta ahead of a public release for Nexus devices.

The Android 7.1 Nougat update delivered more than just bug fixes to Nexus phones and tablets. The upgrade also brought Google Daydream VR support, expanded emoji support, Night Light, and several other changes.

Google’s Pixel 2 press event kicks off at 12PM ET/9AM PT on October 4th from the SFJazz Center in San Francisco. The company has posted a page on YouTube and the livestream will begin at 12PM ET on October 4th.

November Nexus 5X Android Oreo Update Impressions

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If you're already on Android Oreo (and we assume most of you are) the download and installation should only take you a few minutes.  The Nexus 5X's November patch is just a few MB and the installation took just a few minutes to complete. Overall, it shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to get it on board your phone.  We've been using the Nexus 5X's Android Oreo update for a few hours now and we've been keeping an eye on key areas like battery life and connectivity.  So far, battery life is holding up. We haven't noticed any abnormal drain when using the phone and when it's in standby. It's keeping a solid charge. We've tested the Nexus 5X and Oreo with several Bluetooth devices and we haven't experienced any drops or oddities. Wi-Fi, including eero mesh Wi-Fi, is holding steady as well.  App performance sometimes takes a hit after a new update is released, but we haven't noticed any issues with our core applications. Chrome is fast and reliable. Same goes for YouTube, Gmail, Spotify, Twitter, Asana, and Slack.  Our Nexus 5X is fast. We haven't experienced any lag or lockups during our short time with the new Oreo build.  It's only been a few hours, but we're pretty impressed with the software's performance on our device. Of course, performance could take a turn in the days ahead so we'll keep our eyes out for bugs and widespread problems.  If you're unable to pull the November Nexus 5X update right now, you can manually install the software onto your device. If you're curious about the process, take a look at our walkthrough. It'll take you through step-by-step through manual installation process.

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