"Sony Xperia XA1: Which custom ROM is better?"
The short answer is yes, but with significant caveats. The long answer requires us to look at the unique architecture of the XA1 (MediaTek vs. Snapdragon), the state of the developer community, and exactly what you gain (or lose) by flashing a new ROM. sony xperia xa1 custom rom better
: Most custom ROMs for this device are based on Sony AOSP, which some users find less stable than the stock Android 8.0 Oreo ROM provided by Sony. Alternatives to a Full ROM "Sony Xperia XA1: Which custom ROM is better
Unlock Bootloader Eligibility: Dial *#*#7378423#*#* to enter the Service Menu. Go to Service info > Configuration and verify that "Bootloader unlock allowed" says Yes. the state of the developer community