A phone that launched back in 2018 is now running the latest Android 16, and not just barely it’s running surprisingly well, smoother than some midrange phones released this year.
If you still have your POCO F1 lying around, it might be time to blow off the dust, charge it up, and flash a new ROM that completely transforms the experience.
This Android 16 build, maintained by the talented @FogedUser, is an absolute game-changer for the Beryllium community. It’s not just about pushing a new version number it’s about giving this legendary device another chance to shine.
💡 What’s New with Android 16 on POCO F1?
Android 16 isn’t a flashy, gimmick-loaded update. Instead, it’s about refinement. It builds on everything Android 15 started and polishes it further with more stability, smarter AI enhancements, and a tighter UI. But what makes it so special on the POCO F1 is how well it runs despite the hardware’s age.
You immediately feel it the moment you boot in. The transitions are smooth, the UI feels alive with the Material expressive design, and colors adapt system-wide based on your wallpaper. There’s this sense of fluidity and minimalism that modern Android has embraced and it just feels… right.
Android 16 has doubled down on privacy and user control, with more visibility into how apps behave in the background. You now get alerts if an app accesses sensitive permissions like location or microphone, even subtly. And trust me, it feels good knowing you’re more in control than ever.
The lock screen now lets you place useful widgets so checking your calendar, weather, or reminders is almost instant, without even unlocking your phone. Notifications are cleaner, more organized, and finally feel less intrusive, while multitasking gets a nice boost with smoother app switching and better background RAM handling crucial for a device with aging internals like the POCO F1.
Battery life is another surprise. Once the system settles (give it a few hours after flashing), idle drain is low, standby is solid, and the phone runs cooler, even during gaming. Whether you’re scrolling endlessly or watching videos, it all feels stable and efficient.
🧠 The Custom ROM Experience – Built with Passion
This Android 16 build isn’t just another rushed port. It’s clearly put together with care stable, clean, and genuinely ready for daily use. No bloatware, no weird force closes, and even things like Wi-Fi, VoLTE, Bluetooth, and camera work as expected.
There’s a kind of joy in seeing the POCO F1 a phone that once broke the market now getting to run the cutting-edge version of Android in 2025. It’s poetic, really.
And it wouldn’t be possible without @FogedUser, who deserves all the credit here. This is the kind of dedication that keeps the Android modding scene alive and proves that good hardware paired with the right software can outlive expectations.
📥 Ready to Try It? Here’s the Download Info:
- 🔧 Maintainer: @FogedUser
- 📱 Device: POCO F1 (Beryllium)
- 💾 ROM Download: Download Here on SourceForge
- 📦 GApps: Use a clean Android 16-compatible GApps package
- 🔁 Recovery Recommended: Unofficial Retrofit Recovery
- ⏳ Tip: Let it settle for 3–4 hours post-install for best performance.
💬 Final Thoughts
Using Android 16 on the POCO F1 in 2025 is like time-traveling in the best way. It reminds you how great this phone always was. Sleek software, optimized performance, and a community that refuses to let it fade into history.
It’s a reminder that you don’t always need the latest hardware to get the best software experience sometimes, all you need is a passionate dev, a solid custom ROM, and a bit of curiosity.
Go ahead flash it. You might just fall in love with your POCO F1 all over again.