Huawei has now released a second official Lollipop (v.5.1) Preview with fewer bugs than the original B309 release that was briefly available in June, 2015. Users reported a slew of problems with that release, and Huawei quickly withdrew it.
The new version B322 appears to have far fewer bugs. I've downloaded and installed it to a pair of Ascend Mate 2 phones without much issue - as with the first update, the file has to be downloaded and installed from a Micro SD card (at least 8GB). Instructions and a link for the file are included on the Huawei link provided below. I don't believe Huawei is likely to issue an OTA update anytime soon, so owners will have to bite the bullet and do it via the SD card to get Lollipop.
https://community.gethuawei.com/sup...15/06/30/mate2-android-l-update-now-available
Your phone does not have to be rooted to install this update. This update does wipe out everything on the phone, so any data and or apps that need to be backed up should be done before attempting the update. Huawei is also providing a download of the original 4.3 Jellybean for users that want to switch back via the same link(s). Huawei's HiSuite app should allow users to restore contacts, etc., but I haven't tried it (I use Google which backs everything up that I need already).
Users must have a HAM2 with Android build numbers B126 or B148, or one of the earlier B300 series builds, for the update to work. Consumer Cellular HAM2 phones are not able to receive this update at this time - there are reports that CC intends to release a Lollipop update of its own in the fall, but that is not definitive. XDA forums report some CC users have been able to flash a stock ROM onto their CC devices, which would in turn allow the Huawei Lollipop update to be installed (see below).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ascend-mate2/general/to-flash-stock-rom-consumer-cellular-t2970461
The major advantage of the update (to me at least) is that it effectively doubles the amount of memory available to install apps from 6GB to more than 11GB in reallocating the phone's internal storage. For me that's a huge deal, and means I don't have to update to another phone - yet.
You can also now install apps to the SD card for the first time, something the original JellyBean release didn't allow. I use AppMgr III by Sam Lu, as it marks apps that are better left in phone memory, rather than be moved, and provides a rationale as to why - plus it can be used to move multiple apps at once if enabled via the app's settings. There are other App2SD moving apps available as well. Moving apps to SD creates even more storage space on the phone (but remember, these kinds of apps only move part of the app to the SD card, not the entire app). App desktop shortcuts will likely break if you move an app to the SD card and need to be re-created after the app is moved. If you have a lot of apps (like I do) it may take a couple of minutes longer for them all to fully load than they would if loaded into main memory.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd&hl=en
One other plus for some people is that at least some of the default bloatware, like the Route 66 Navigation app and Bitcasa (if you don't want the free 20GB of storage that comes with the phone) can be removed without rooting.
My phone seems somewhat smoother after the update, but that's only an observation - I use third-party apps like All-In-One Toolbox and Fast Reboot to manage RAM and app loading, so I'm not just using the stock tools. I don't see a difference in battery life - some users reported less battery life (and others more) in other forums with the B309 release - I can still go comfortably all day and have plenty left, and I'm a heavy user with hundreds of apps installed. There are a number of other interface changes with Lollipop that take some getting used to, but I haven't found anything insurmountable at this point, at least - the biggest issue relates to the dark background my phone has for the Notifications and Preview screen - Gmail's black fonts used for mail Subjects get lost much of the time, and I haven't yet found a way to tweak that background. I use Nova Launcher rather than Huawei's EMUI, and it allows phone desktop backups to be made and restored fairly easily, which simplifies the update process considerably.
The only apps I have that won't run under Lollipop are a few older non-Play Store apps, most notably the original Google Maps (NimaGL2 version). A few apps that wouldn't run under JellyBean now work with Lollipop (such as the LPGA app).
As always, this information is for HAM2 users who want to update to Lollipop via an official means rather than the root/flash method, and I am not responsible if you somehow manage to brick your phone in the process - I'm just reporting on my experiences with it after running it for a week or so - Huawei's links to get this update aren't the easiest to find, or fully understand.
The HAM2 continues to be one of the most capable real-world large screen phones out there, especially when it comes to battery life, and having Lollipop may mean you can keep yours happily running longer, like mine.
Huawei's capabilities in building Android phones are now being used by Google itself in building the new Nexus 6, which appears likely to be announced on September 29th.
Good luck!
The new version B322 appears to have far fewer bugs. I've downloaded and installed it to a pair of Ascend Mate 2 phones without much issue - as with the first update, the file has to be downloaded and installed from a Micro SD card (at least 8GB). Instructions and a link for the file are included on the Huawei link provided below. I don't believe Huawei is likely to issue an OTA update anytime soon, so owners will have to bite the bullet and do it via the SD card to get Lollipop.
https://community.gethuawei.com/sup...15/06/30/mate2-android-l-update-now-available
Your phone does not have to be rooted to install this update. This update does wipe out everything on the phone, so any data and or apps that need to be backed up should be done before attempting the update. Huawei is also providing a download of the original 4.3 Jellybean for users that want to switch back via the same link(s). Huawei's HiSuite app should allow users to restore contacts, etc., but I haven't tried it (I use Google which backs everything up that I need already).
Users must have a HAM2 with Android build numbers B126 or B148, or one of the earlier B300 series builds, for the update to work. Consumer Cellular HAM2 phones are not able to receive this update at this time - there are reports that CC intends to release a Lollipop update of its own in the fall, but that is not definitive. XDA forums report some CC users have been able to flash a stock ROM onto their CC devices, which would in turn allow the Huawei Lollipop update to be installed (see below).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ascend-mate2/general/to-flash-stock-rom-consumer-cellular-t2970461
The major advantage of the update (to me at least) is that it effectively doubles the amount of memory available to install apps from 6GB to more than 11GB in reallocating the phone's internal storage. For me that's a huge deal, and means I don't have to update to another phone - yet.
You can also now install apps to the SD card for the first time, something the original JellyBean release didn't allow. I use AppMgr III by Sam Lu, as it marks apps that are better left in phone memory, rather than be moved, and provides a rationale as to why - plus it can be used to move multiple apps at once if enabled via the app's settings. There are other App2SD moving apps available as well. Moving apps to SD creates even more storage space on the phone (but remember, these kinds of apps only move part of the app to the SD card, not the entire app). App desktop shortcuts will likely break if you move an app to the SD card and need to be re-created after the app is moved. If you have a lot of apps (like I do) it may take a couple of minutes longer for them all to fully load than they would if loaded into main memory.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd&hl=en
One other plus for some people is that at least some of the default bloatware, like the Route 66 Navigation app and Bitcasa (if you don't want the free 20GB of storage that comes with the phone) can be removed without rooting.
My phone seems somewhat smoother after the update, but that's only an observation - I use third-party apps like All-In-One Toolbox and Fast Reboot to manage RAM and app loading, so I'm not just using the stock tools. I don't see a difference in battery life - some users reported less battery life (and others more) in other forums with the B309 release - I can still go comfortably all day and have plenty left, and I'm a heavy user with hundreds of apps installed. There are a number of other interface changes with Lollipop that take some getting used to, but I haven't found anything insurmountable at this point, at least - the biggest issue relates to the dark background my phone has for the Notifications and Preview screen - Gmail's black fonts used for mail Subjects get lost much of the time, and I haven't yet found a way to tweak that background. I use Nova Launcher rather than Huawei's EMUI, and it allows phone desktop backups to be made and restored fairly easily, which simplifies the update process considerably.
The only apps I have that won't run under Lollipop are a few older non-Play Store apps, most notably the original Google Maps (NimaGL2 version). A few apps that wouldn't run under JellyBean now work with Lollipop (such as the LPGA app).
As always, this information is for HAM2 users who want to update to Lollipop via an official means rather than the root/flash method, and I am not responsible if you somehow manage to brick your phone in the process - I'm just reporting on my experiences with it after running it for a week or so - Huawei's links to get this update aren't the easiest to find, or fully understand.
The HAM2 continues to be one of the most capable real-world large screen phones out there, especially when it comes to battery life, and having Lollipop may mean you can keep yours happily running longer, like mine.
Huawei's capabilities in building Android phones are now being used by Google itself in building the new Nexus 6, which appears likely to be announced on September 29th.
Good luck!
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