If you’re using a Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and want to breathe new life into your device, installing an Android 16-based custom ROM is a solid move. Google recently...
Mohammed Huwais
Last updated on August 25, 2025
Mohammed Huwais
Author
I started my career as a blogger in 2014 and also worked on an Android niche platform to gain extra income. I cover the topic on How to guides, software updates, Custom ROM updates and also product review. I'm 24 years old, completed MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Sikkim Manipal University.
If you’re using a Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and want to breathe new life into your device, installing an Android 16-based custom ROM is a solid move. Google recently released Android 16 for Pixel devices, and developers have already ported unofficial AOSP builds to older phones like the Poco X3 Pro. In this guide, you’ll learn how to safely install Android 16 on Poco X3 Pro and enjoy its latest features.
The Poco X3 Pro features a 6.67 inches IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9. It has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and has support for HDR10. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6. Under the hood, we have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 built on a 7nm manufacturing process. It is an octa-core processor which consists of one Kryo 485 Gold core clocked at 2.96 GHz, three Kryo 485 Gold cores clocked at 2.42 GHz, and four Kryo 485 Silver cores clocked at 1.78 GHz.
In terms of optics, we have a quad-camera setup at the rear and a single camera at the front. The triple camera setup consists of a 48MP primary sensor paired with an f/1.8 lens, an 8MP ultrawide sensor paired with an f/2.2 lens, a 2MP macro sensor paired with an f/2.4 lens, and a 2MP depth sensor paired with an f/2.4 lens. Coming to the front, we get a 20MP sensor paired with an f/2.2 lens. The rear camera setup can capture 4K videos at 30 fps, while the front camera is only limited to 1080p video recording. For video recording, we only have EIS(Electronic Image Stabilization) and no OIS(Optical Image stabilization) on any of the sensors.
The smartphone will come with Android 11 out of the box with MIUI 12 for Poco running on top. We have three storage options for this device: 6GB RAM + 128GB internal storage, 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB internal storage. In terms of communications, we have Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, Infrared port, FM Radio, and USB Type-C 2.0.
Android 16 introduces Material 3 Expressive, a refined evolution of Google’s design language for smartphones and tablets. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the interface, it represents one of the most noticeable user-facing changes in the OS. Rather than a dramatic visual overhaul, Material 3 Expressive enhances the foundation laid by Material Design 3 by introducing smoother, more dynamic animations, larger touch targets, and bolder typography.
This update arrives at a perfect moment. Material Design 3, first introduced with Android 13, had begun to feel dated. Material 3 Expressive breathes new life into the interface while preserving the familiar look and feel users have grown comfortable with. Instead of overhyping the changes, Google’s own animations showcase the polish and fluidity of this next step in Android design.
Android 16 introduces a wealth of new features, system optimizations, and UI refinements. Some of the highlights include:
These updates aim to improve user experience across different types of devices, including foldables, tablets, and standard phones.
Although Android 16 is rolling out first to Pixel devices, many brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Samsung, Realme, and others will follow soon. If you’re impatient, a custom ROM is the best way to get Android 16 today.
Everything seems to be working fine.
If you spot any bugs, report them along with proper logs to the developer.
Always back up your device before flashing any ROM. This prevents data loss if anything goes wrong. Backup guide here.
Charge your phone to at least 50% to avoid shutdowns during the flashing process.
You can skip this part if you have already installed TWRP Recovery on your Poco X3 Pro. For those who haven’t, ADB and Fastboot commands (platform-tools) are required to boot your device into bootloader mode, allowing you to perform the necessary flashing operations. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) establishes a connection between your device and computer, while Fastboot is a more advanced command-line utility for flashing and modifying Android devices.
You can download the ADB and Fastboot Binaries (Platform-Tools) here.
You’ll need the appropriate USB drivers to ensure a successful connection between your Poco X3 Pro and your computer. These drivers enable file transfers, flashing, and other operations between your devices.
You can download the latest Xiaomi USB drivers here.
Unlocking the bootloader of your Poco X3 Pro. is essential before you can install any custom ROM. Make sure to follow Xiaomi’s official instructions for unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device, so back up your data beforehand.
You must install TWRP Recovery on your phone to install any custom ROM on your device. After unlocking the bootloader, follow our guide to install TWRP Recovery on your Poco X3 Pro.
You can download the Android 15 custom ROMs for the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro from the links below:
| OS | Download Link |
| Evolution X | Download |
| MistOS | Download |
| YAAP OS | Download |
Most AOSP ROMs don’t come with Google apps. You’ll need to flash Android 16 GApps separately.
Note: Flash GApps right after flashing the ROM. Don’t reboot in between.
Warning!
GetDroidTips is not responsible for any issues that may happen to your device if you flash it on another device and brick it. Do it at your own risk.
adb reboot recovery
The first boot after installing a custom ROM may take a bit longer than usual, so don’t panic if it seems slow. After the device boots, you will need to set it up as a new device, just like when you first got it.
By flashing Android 16 on your Poco X3 Pro, you’re extending its life and unlocking modern Android features that Xiaomi may never officially provide. While this is an unofficial AOSP build, early reports suggest solid stability. That said, bugs may still appear, so always report them with logs to help developers improve the experience.
If you have questions or run into issues during installation, feel free to drop a comment. Enjoy your fresh Android 16 experience!
2 approved comments
This article provides a great overview of the Poco X3 Pros camera setup and software features, especially the Android 16 update with Material 3 Expressive. The detailed breakdown of the triple rear camera and front-facing options is helpful, though I wish there were more real-world examples of the low-light performance. The guide for installing Android 16 is thorough but a bit intimidating for beginners. Overall, it’s a valuable resource for tech enthusiasts, though some clearer explanations of the bugs and custom ROM risks would be beneficial.
Share your thoughts, questions, or extra tips with other readers.
I found this article really helpful for understanding the camera specs and software details of the Poco X3 Pro. The breakdown of the triple rear camera setup and video capabilities was especially useful. However, the instructions for installing Android 16 via custom ROMs seemed a bit overwhelming for beginners. It would’ve been great if there were simpler alternatives mentioned. Overall, a solid guide for tech enthusiasts looking to upgrade their device!