Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Release Date: 5.1, 5.2 Rumored on Nexus 5, HTC, Sony Xperia, Samsung Galaxy S5 Soon, Despite Slow OTA Adoption Rate

While most people in the U.S. are still waiting for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, there are already 5.1 and 5.2 sightings and rumors.

iDigitalTimes reports the Nexus 5 may soon receive the Android 5.1 and 5.2 Lollipop updates. The Nexus 5 currently runs Android 5.0.2, but a Nexus 5 running Android 5.1 showed up Monday on a Geekbench benchmark test. The results of that test can be found on Primate Labs' website.

The Android 5.1 update is expected to deliver useful changes including improved battery life, improved RAM management, silent mode, improved system stability, and notification and "Ok Google" bug fixes.

Now that the Nexus 5 has been seen running both Android 5.1, chances are other Nexus line devices will get the Android 5.1 update over the air soon. Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 will likely receive the updates first with Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 to follow, and lastly, Google Play Edition devices.

Regarding the Android Lollipop update for other phones, the Chinese report Android Lollipop 5.0 for the Sony Xperia Z3 has been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The update could hit Xperia Z3 devices as soon as the end of this month.

The Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Galaxy S5 continues to roll out in the U.S. for Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint customers, reports AndroidPIT.

Google's Android version distribution data indicates only 1.6 percent of Android devices currently in use have the Android 5.0 Lollipop, but the actual figure is much lower considering millions of off-brand Android devices don't have Google's services and apps installed.

When a Twitter user asked HTC vice president Mo Versi what is the "ETA on the update that fixes the cap. buttons lights for the M7 GPE, please?" Versi tweeted "It'll be tied to Google's next MR, which is in March. Thanks."

Versi seems to confirm that Android Lollipop 5.1 is headed to the HTC One M7 Google Play edition phone sooner than we thought.

As we have seen Android 5.1 mentioned in emerging markets, such as the Philippines where it will run on Android One phones, we know the update is coming. The question is, Is the Android 5.1 a minor update for low-end phone models in emerging markets, and Android 5.2 the major update that we've been waiting for?

We won't know the answer until Google makes it official.