If you’re using a Sony Xperia 1 II 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 November 24, 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 Sony Xperia 1 II 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 Sony Xperia 1 II. In this guide, you’ll learn how to safely install Android 16 on Sony Xperia 1 II and enjoy its latest features.
The Sony Xperia 1 II features 6.5 inches 4K QHD display with a resolution of 1644×3840 pixels at a pixel density of 643 pixels per inch (PPI) and an aspect ratio of 21:9. The display on the front with no obstructions like a notch or a punch-hole. Sony made good use of the top and bottom bezels since the phone has stereo front-firing speakers.
As far as the cameras are concerned, there is a triple camera setup on the rear that has a primary 24mm 12 Megapixel wide camera with OIS, F/1.7 aperture lens & 1/1.7″ sensor, a secondary 16mm 12 Megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with 124-degree FOV & 1/2.55″ sensor, and a 3rd 70mm 12 Megapixel zoom lens with 3X Optical Zoom & OIS. There are ZEISS quality lenses calibrated specifically for Xperia 1 II. The fourth sensor is that the 3D iToF sensor (Time of Flight) that calculates the space between the camera and therefore the subject in a moment, for fast, accurate AutoFocus. The camera can shoot 4K HDR videos at 24,25,30 and 60fps. On the front is an 8 Megapixel camera for selfies. Some camera features include Real-Time Eye AutoFocus, camera interface almost like Sony’s Alpha cameras, Cinema Pro to record 21:9 videos, up to twenty fps continuous burst shooting, Up to 60 times per second continuous AF/AE calculation, etc.
Under the hood, the device is powered by the latest flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G SOC paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard storage. The phone comes with a 5G modem that supports sub6 GHz networks. There is a 4,000mAh battery with USB Power Delivery Fast Charging & Qi Wireless Charging. Android 10 runs out of the box. Other features include IP65/68 water resistance, Dynamic Vibration, Game Enhancer, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, wind-filtering for better sound recording, LDAC, Hi-Res Audio, etc.
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 Sony Xperia 1 II. 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 Sony Xperia 1 II and your computer. These drivers enable file transfers, flashing, and other operations between your devices.
You can download the latest Sony USB drivers here.
Unlocking the bootloader of your Sony Xperia 1 II. is essential before you can install any custom ROM. Make sure to follow Sony’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 Sony Xperia 1 II.
You can download the Android 15 custom ROMs for the Sony Xperia 1 II from the links below:
| OS | Download Link |
| Evolution X | 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 Sony Xperia 1 II, you’re extending its life and unlocking modern Android features that Sony 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!
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