Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 Update: 3 New Details Emerge

Last month Google released the highly anticipated Android 5.0 Lollipop update for an array of Android smartphone and tablet users, as well as released the all new Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet, both running the new Android 5.0 Lollipop. However, a few bugs were discovered, and now Android 5.0.1 is slowly rolling out to Nexus users.

Owners of the Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 should be seeing Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update landing on their devices soon, but we’ve yet to hear anything regarding the Nexus 6. The initial Android 5.0 release has a few bugs that are affected most Nexus smartphones and tablets, and that includes the Nexus 6. And now we have more details regarding the update.

Read: 16 Nexus 6 Tips, Tricks & Hidden Features

It has been just over a month since the initial Android 5.0 update arrived with the Nexus 9, and even less since other Nexus owners received it, and last week Google quickly pushed out Android 5.0.1 to the AOSP, and a few Nexus users. Those with a Nexus 6 expect updates first, and below are three new details regarding the Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 update, along with the release date.

Last week, Google released Android 5.0.1 factory images for the Nexus 9, Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi. Over-the-Air updates typically follow close behind the release of factory images and right on cue, Google’s started pushing out the trio of Android 5.0.1 updates.

Since then we’ve yet to hear any details about other devices, most notably those with 4G LTE connectivity. Google started the rollout for WiFi devices, and we’ve yet to see it arrive for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, or the new Nexus 6. And while typically the Nexus 6 should see updates first, as Google updated newest products first, that’s not the case with the bug fixing Android 5.0.1 update.

Read: Nexus 6 Review: One Month Later

Users with the Nexus 6 have been experiencing a small range of issues with Android 5.0 Lollipop, and the same can be said about the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 owners. Many original Nexus 7 (2012) owners have a device that’s barely functional, but an update is coming extremely soon to fix all of that. The situation isn’t pretty, but Google’s working swiftly to resolve it.

Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 Release Date

Those waiting for the Android 5.0.1 update on the Nexus 6 can expect it to arrive soon, and this morning we received a full set of details regarding when that may actually happen. All Nexus 6 owners can expect something similar to the details below, but this information comes from a changelog for the Sprint Nexus 6.

According to a Verified Sprint Employee over on Reddit, the Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 bug fixing update is set to be released starting on December 15th. He suggests the rollout will start slow with 5-10% of users on the 15th and 16th, then Google will gradually release Android 5.0.1 for the Nexus 6 to more users over the course of the week. Stating that all other Nexus 6 owners will get it from December 17-19th.

Mind you, this is the Sprint Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 update, but in recent months with past updates we’ve seen the Sprint Nexus 5 get updates at the same time as all other Nexus 5 smartphone owners. And while we could see unlocked Nexus 6 users get it first, most likely the update for all Nexus 6 owners will start on or around December 15th.

This is good news that it’s coming soon, but bad news that it won’t arrive until roughly sometime next week.

Changes

The update to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop for the Nexus 6, and most other Nexus devices, will bring an array of fixes that have plagued the initial release. These release notes are specific to Sprint, but likely most of these will be for all Nexus 6 owners as well. We’re hearing on 4G LTE it sends double text messages (Sprint only) which will be addressed, as well as some other minor issues.

Fixes/Enhancements:

• Android update to assure all Google applications can be installed properly.
• Enhancements to device call stability.
• Fixes an application install issue.
• Fixes modem issue.

It’s a relatively small changelog and obviously doesn’t reveal all the changes, as this is specific to Sprint’s version. However, a quick look at what’s new from 5.0 to 5.0.1 at AndroidPolice reveals a lot of small fixes, ones that will likely also be included in this update for the Nexus 6.

All Others

As we said above, Google usually updates its flagship devices first, and currently that is the Nexus 6. While we’ve seen Android 5.0.1 arrive for the HTC One and One M8 Google Play Edition devices, most likely those with the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 will be waiting until at least December 15th like the Nexus 6, if not longer.

Read: 6 Ways the Nexus 6 Beats the iPhone 6

The Nexus 6 sold from the Google Play Store, Motorola.com or T-Mobile are all factory unlocked and should receive updates directly from Google, ensuring a timely upgrade for most. The AT&T model however, could face delays, but we’ll have to wait and see how that’s handled once the update actually arrives.

Those with the Nexus 6 from any source can expect an update to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop in the next week or two, and possibly sooner. We’ll update once we know more, and again if and when it starts arriving for all owners.