This article is currently an experimental machine translation and may contain errors. If anything is unclear, please refer to the original Chinese version. I am continuously working to improve the translation.
My previous Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G (chopin) had served me well for nearly two years, producing (writing more blog posts) several articles [1, 2, 3], and even successfully running Windows 11. However, it recently started having frequent issues with the volume button and charging. Combined with dwindling community developer support and MediaTek SoC-related bugs on Android 14—like Bluetooth instability and memory leaks—I decided it was time for a phone upgrade.
Guess that means another blog post.
Choosing a “New” Phone
My phone selection criteria:
- Must-haves:
- Bootloader unlockable, with decent official/community software support for custom ROMs (looking at you, MTK)
- RAM + storage >= 6GB + 128GB, with a SoC that meets basic performance needs (i.e., usable for daily tasks in 2024)
- Full 4G support for China’s three major carriers, including VoLTE
- Nice-to-haves (in descending order):
- 5G support on Chinese carriers, plus dual-SIM capability (to use my separate data-only SIM)
- 90/120Hz refresh rate with 1080P or higher resolution display
- Non-China-branded or overseas OEM
- Large battery (>4000mAh), ideally chargeable to ~80% in about an hour
- Lightweight body / good design / comfortable grip
- Some niche or cool new features (like chopin running KVM, LG G8’s flat glass back + IR face unlock—very cool)
or… small luxuries that add joy (like IP68, USB 3.0, wireless charging, better cameras)
Updated 2025/03/31: Although I thought my phone requirements were pretty relaxed—mainly caring about “good enough” SoC and RAM—the above list actually has conflicting points: For example, many overseas phones use SIM + eSIM combos, which effectively means single SIM in China. Also, overseas devices—from Samsung/iPhone to Sony/Pixel—often suffer from poor 5G reception in China. My Pixel 8, for instance, had spotty 5G even outdoors in Nanjing’s Gulou district, and lost 4G entirely in underground malls. Thanks, monopolistic carriers. Meanwhile, in China, only OnePlus offers relatively easy bootloader unlocking, and even then not all models have active ROM support. If you want to run non-GSI stock-like ROMs, your choices are quite limited—you’re basically picking from last year’s flagship phones with solid community support.
After browsing CoolAPK for a while, I tried the Nothing Phone (1), Sony Xperia 1 II, and Xperia 5 II. Nothing offered flashy LED lights but little else in innovation. The Xperia 1 turned out to be a dud—I bought a secondhand unit from Xianyu (Idle Fish) with screen issues and returned it after testing.
In the end, I settled on the Xperia 5 II as my daily driver, retiring chopin to a test device. (It might even run full Linux distros later as an ARM “dev board.”)
p.s. There are tons of locked, single-SIM Japanese models of the Xperia 5 II on Xianyu, many prone to the infamous green line defect. I bought a well-maintained, dual-SIM Chinese version from a “Xianyu Select” store, with one year of warranty and nearly new condition (for ¥800 less than retail).
Xperia 5 II Features
Hardware
The device’s specs:
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- 6.1-inch OLED Full HD+ (2520×1080), 21:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD)
- 12MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto | 8MP front camera
- Dolby Atmos stereo dual speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C, NFC, side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- IP65/68 dust and water resistance
- 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
- 4000mAh battery (18W fast charging)
Notable highlights: The Xperia 5 II’s USB-C port supports 4K video input and output. Sony also included a pro-style camera app and a physical two-stage camera button(very Sony), enabling 4K 120fps slow-motion video recording.
It retains both a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The front even has a nostalgic notification LED—very retro.
Front view, already running crDroid
Flashing ROMs
As soon as I got it, I headed straight to Sony’s unlock page to request an unlock code. No issues—got it instantly. (If it fails, try switching browsers.)
Sony devices require special fastboot drivers. The official Sony drivers seem to have signature issues; many guides suggest disabling driver signature enforcement. In reality, you can just use Zadig to install the driver.
After that, I grabbed a suitable ROM from XDA—crDroid, in my case—and flashed it without a hitch.
Camera (Pro Photographer Mode)
The color science isn’t super vibrant, but with the two-stage physical camera button, taking photos feels more deliberate and satisfying:
A camera app styled like a real camera. I mostly use auto mode anyway.
And thanks to crDroid, I now have unlimited Google Photos storage—goodbye storage anxiety. Even if you don’t root, you can try Pixelify-Google-Photos.
External Display
Since this phone supports USB-C video output, I decided to further explore the idea I mentioned previously—using Android as a productivity device. I connected the phone directly to a monitor with reverse charging and a built-in USB hub, then plugged my keyboard and mouse into the hub (or used Bluetooth peripherals).
One app I highly recommend: SecondScreen, which automatically switches resolution and DPI when an external display is connected.
Chrome in desktop mode—shows tabs, supports common keyboard shortcuts, and switches input method to floating window
Now I don’t need to bring my laptop to work every day. I just carry my phone—either as a remote desktop launcher or to use browser and Android apps directly. Most international apps are well-optimized for landscape mode, with UIs close to their desktop versions. Chrome even supports right-click context menus. Meanwhile, most Chinese apps completely fall apart in this setup, which probably explains why Android tablets never caught on in China.
I find it quite convenient, though admittedly it’s veering into niche territory again. Still, most people don’t seem to mind logging into WeChat or GitHub on their office PCs anyway.
This article is licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
Author: lyc8503, Article link: https://blog.lyc8503.net/en/post/xperia-5-ii/
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