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Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 Update: First Impressions

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Earlier this week, Google rolled out a surprise Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update bringing new features and fixes to the aging former flagship. The update is small but even the smallest Android updates can have a profound effect on performance. Now that it’s rolling out, we want to take a look at the Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 update and its performance.

In October, Google rolled out Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the successor to Android Lollipop and a major update for the company’s stable of Nexus smartphones and tablets.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow delivered numerous improvements including Doze but it also brought some problems to Nexus users. Nexus 5 owners have been particularly vocal about issues with their smartphone and Marshmallow.

Nexus-5-15

Earlier this week, Google pushed out a Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 update that brings some new features and fixes to the device. It also brings some security patches that will help protect users and the device from harm.

Slowly but surely, the Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 update is making its way to users and today, I got the call. The update appeared out of thin air and my guess is that Google is now picking up the pace. If you don’t see it today, you should see it sometime this week or next.

With an Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 update starting to make progress, I want to take a look at the update and its early performance.

Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 Installation

From a feature and bug fix standpoint, the Android 6.0.1 update is the first big update to Marshmallow. From a size standpoint, the Nexus 5’s Android 6.0.1 update is actually pretty small. Less than 100MB small.

Once the prompt appears, you’ll need to download and install the update. The 96MB (I’m coming from stock Android 6.0) will take only a few seconds to download over a fast connection but the installation will take much longer.

After it reboots, the phone will need to optimize apps on board the Nexus 5. I have about 50 applications on the Nexus 5 right now and it took about 10 minutes or so to install. It was slow.

I haven’t heard about any major installation issues but if you do run into a problem, take a look at our list of fixes. Solving Android installation problems can be a little tricky but if you’re coming from a pure stock version of Android, you should be able to get your issues ironed out pretty quickly.

Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow Performance

Nexus-5-Android-6-0-1I’m not going to get into the features that Android 6.0.1 brings to the Nexus 5. There are several including new camera features, over 200 new emoji characters for the keyboard and more. If you want to read more about the Android 6.0.1 update’s features, take a look at our walkthrough.

Instead, these impressions focus on performance in what I consider to be the five key areas. I’ll do my best to steer you in the right direction but you might want to venture out and gather some more feedback before you commit to Android 6.0.1 on your Nexus 5.

Apps

In the weeks since the Android 6.0 Marshmallow release, I’ve trimmed my app count. Instead of 100+ applications I now have about 50 on my Nexus 5.

My core group of applications includes Asana, Slack, Facebook, YouTube, Chrome, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Hangouts, Spotify, Google Maps, and SoundCloud. These are the apps I use the most and they’re the apps I’ve been using in the hours since the Android 6.0.1 release.

So far, none of them have been exhibiting problems. I haven’t noticed any crashes or weird bugs with Android 6.0.1 on board. I’ve had a ton of problems with Chrome, Twitter and Facebook but all of them are behaving.

Of course, I’ve only had the update on my Nexus 5 for a few hours so there’s a chance that the performance will start to deteriorate over the weekend. Fingers crossed.

Battery Life

I’ve only been using the Android 6.0.1 update for a few hours so I obviously can’t speak for long-term battery performance.

What I can tell you though is that my Nexus 5 battery is holding up quite well with Android 6.0.1 on board. I haven’t noticed any weird drain when the phone is in use and the phone is still holding an excellent charge in standby mode. Doze is dong its just it seems.

Nexus-5-2

 

If you are feeling nervous or if you’re already noticing some weird drain with Android 6.0.1 on board, you have a few options.

One option is to wait a few days. Battery life typically evens out after a couple of days. If you grow impatient, you can take a look at our list of fixes.

Wi-Fi, LTE & Bluetooth

Connectivity is strong with Android 6.0.1 on board the Nexus 5. At least for the moment it is.

I’ve been using the Nexus 5 with an AT&T SIM card and I haven’t noticed anything wrong with LTE or 4G. Speeds are normal.

I’ve successfully paired the Nexus 5 with Bluetooth speakers and headphones and sound quality and performance is solid. I haven’t been able to test Bluetooth in the car yet.

I’ve also been able to test the Nexus 5 with several different router models including a TP-Link Archer C9 and a Belkin AC 1200. My connection is fast and reliable. No problem to speak of.

Bugs & Issues

Nexus 5 users are already complaining about a number if visible bugs and problems but I haven’t run into anything of note during my brief time with Android 6.0.1.

Nothing has broken my experience and the update feels very stable. Larger issues typically jump right off the page while smaller bugs can be difficult to spot.

G3-vs-Nexus5

I’m going to do some more digging in the days ahead so in the meantime, keep your eyes open and monitor the Nexus 5 Help Forum for problems and bugs.

Speed

The Nexus 5 is still fast with Android 6.0.1 on board. I haven’t experienced any lag or slowdown in the hours since the installation. Everything is smooth and just how it was with Android 6.0 on board.

Should You Install the Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 Update?

There are Nexus 5 Android 6.0.1 problems but they appear to be isolated at this point. I’m not seeing any significant problems with the software. Performance, for the moment, is excellent.

For most people, I think Android 6.0.1 is going to be worth it. If not for the new emojis, for the crucial bug fixes that it has on board.

If you’re feeling leery, wait a few days for the smoke to settle. I’ll be back with a more detail review next week.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Salman

    12/11/2015 at 8:18 am

    I have not recive the update till now

    • stef

      12/12/2015 at 6:30 am

      I got my update from 6.0 to 6.0.1 but my girlfriend her’s shows all up to date even while still stuck on 6.0 why ?

  2. cbuystore

    12/12/2015 at 5:31 am

    Connectivity is strong with Android 6.0.1 on board the Nexus 5. At least for the moment it is.

    I’ve been using the Nexus 5 with an AT&T SIM card and I haven’t noticed anything wrong with LTE or 4G. Speeds are normal.

    all shopping items available in cbuystore…

    • Sree

      12/13/2015 at 7:26 pm

      what about wi-fi battery bug ?

      • Naresh Kumar

        12/16/2015 at 8:24 am

        Me too had an issue with Wifi – it keeps searching for networks and not able to recognize any. LTE works fine. I updated to Android 6, 3 weeks back, and I doubt that could be cause. Anyways, Google support sent a replacement – a refurb. It came with 5 and so skeptical of upgrading to 6. Will wait for more updates on Nexus 5 on 6.0.1 posts.

  3. Robertrsilvia

    12/13/2015 at 5:38 am

    0=016 my neighbor’s ex-wife makes $68 /hr on the laptop . She has been fired for 6 months but last month her pay was $18404 just working on the laptop for a few hours.
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  4. Jared Newrk

    12/13/2015 at 4:47 pm

    this isn’t on topic, and I don’t want to come off as spammy. (like the neighbors ex wife make money comment lol) ^^^^

    But I found actually found way to get some free electronics. Basically I joined a website that is giving away $100 visa gift cards for answering some brand survey questions! One of the those brand awareness/focus group things.

    It seems legit to me, the brands and advertisers just want you to give your opinion and get your email on their product in exchange for possibly getting the gift card. The survey I got was “What Doritos flavor I liked best”, but there are a few others that you might end up with.

    Just thought I’d share, Here is the link
    Click here to join the survey questionnaire site for the visa gift card – TechySurvey.com

  5. Whut

    12/14/2015 at 11:31 pm

    Useless article, repeating useless sentences forever and forever.

  6. apex

    12/16/2015 at 5:55 pm

    I have a problem with my Nexus 5 since the 6.0 update. I thought the 6.0.1 update is fixing the problem.
    My problem is with the Whatsapp App; if i got a message while my screen is locked and then see the message, i can’t type when i want to make a reply. I need to go back to the main Whatsapp screen and re-open the message that which i want to reply to, than i can type.

    Not sure if it’s a problem with the Google Keyboard or else. but it’s annoying.

  7. Kayt

    12/17/2015 at 10:54 pm

    Phoning my screen goes black. Then I have to turn it off and on again, to make it right, and to make me able to use the thouchscreen again. But this happened before as well.
    But now it starded to blink on and off and so on. For quite al long time. About 20 sec?
    Me not in control and unable to do anything.

    What to do?

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