The Orange Pi Zero2 is updated to suit the latest technology needs. It’s a genuine contender among current SBCs and is an affordable option to use. So, let’s look at some features the Orange Pi Zero2 offers.

Speed: The Orange Pi Zero2 has a quad-core ARM-based Cortex A53 processor with a 1.5 GHz clock speed. This has a 64-bit architecture, which allows for faster computational performance. When you couple this with 512 MB or 1 GB RAM, you get a speedy combination that can handle most basic tasks with ease.

Connectivity: The Orange Pi Zero2 provides better connectivity than its predecessor, which had known Wi-Fi issues. The Wi-Fi is faster and much improved, and you get a Bluetooth 5.0 connection for stable connectivity. Ports for Micro-HDMI, USB 2.0 port, and USB Type-C (for power) ensure updated connectivity. The board has 26 header pins for GPIO and another 13-pin connection interface that you can use to add two more USB ports, an IR receiver, a headphone jack, and a TV-out connection.

Video playback: The standout feature of the Orange Pi Zero2 is its video playback capabilities. It can natively play a video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. You can even play 6K videos at a reduced rate of 30 frames per second. Very few boards offer this functionality and hence it makes the Orange Pi Zero2 a great board for smart TV purposes.

Small footprint: The Orange Pi Zero2 can fit in the palm of your hand. It’s smaller than many of its competitors and very lightweight. Weighing in at just 30 grams, it makes a great contender for applications where size and weight matter.

Operating system support: Another highlight of the Orange Pi Zero2 is the native Android OS support. This allows you to explore a whole new world of Android apps and makes the board a little more versatile. The Zero2 also supports Linux distros like Ubuntu and Debian OS. The fact that all the OS images are readily available to download on the Orange Pi website makes the setup process easier.

The Orange Pi Zero2 has a majority of what you’d expect of an SBC: It has great specifications for a low price, providing good value for money. But what about the competition? How does it fare when compared with the Raspberry and Banana alternatives?

The Raspberry Pi Zero W is considered to be the main competitor to the Orange Pi Zero2. The Orange Pi Zero2, however, leads by a huge margin when compared to the tiny Raspberry Pi. The Orange Pi Zero2 has native 4K and Android OS support. It even has better connectivity and speed than the Raspberry Pi. However, the Zero2 can’t connect a camera directly to the board, an aspect in which the Raspberry Pi Zero W has the advantage. Also, Raspberry Pis have far better community support when compared to the Orange Pi boards.

Another competitor in the same segment is from Banana Pi with their M2 Zero board. In a way, the Banana Pi M2 Zero is a more-optimized clone of the Raspberry Pi Zero W. However, the Orange Pi Zero2 still stands out from the competition, as the Banana Pi features similar drawbacks in speed and connectivity as the Raspberry Pi. The M2 Zero does make a name for itself with Android 4.4 support, but the Orange Pi Zero2 offers the latest Android 10.0 OS. Still, one thing the Banana Pi M2 Zero has going for it is the option of power and reset buttons, which is an uncommon addition.

Overall, the Orange Pi Zero2 has an edge over its competitors in terms of speed and connectivity options. The 1.5 GHz processor coupled with the 1 GB RAM outperforms any other boards in its class. Also, the ability to run Android OS on it means you can run Android apps and games without having to jump through any hoops. This SBC has all the power and performance you’ll need for small computing projects. At under $20, the Orange Pi Zero2 is a quality option for anyone who’s looking to get started with SBCs.

To understand why the Orange Pi Zero2 reigns in its category, let’s take a look at its specifications in detail.

• CPU: Allwinner H616 64-bit high-performance quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, 1.5 GHz speed
• GPU: Mali G31 MP2 (supports OpenGL ES 1.0/2.0/3 and OpenCL 2.0)
• Memory: 512 MB or 1 GB DDR3
• Onboard network support: 1000M/100M/10M Ethernet
• Onboard wireless support: AW859A chip (supports IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0)
• Video output:
  • Micro-HDMI 2.0a up to 4K@60fps
  • TV CVBS output (supports PAL/NTSC via 13-pin interface board）
• Audio output:
  • Micro-HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio port (via 13-pin interface board)
• USB ports: 3x USB 2.0 HOS (2x via 13-pin interface board）
• Power source: Type-C interface, 5V/2A input
• Supported OSs: Android 10, Ubuntu, Debian
• Dimensions: 53 × 60 mm
• Weight: 30 g

You can find the Orange Pi Zero2 at the following retailers:

Orange Pi Zero 2

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