What is the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero? The Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero is a powerful single-board computer that serves as the successor to the popular M2 Zero. Featuring the Allwinner H618 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor running at up to 1.5GHz, this compact SBC delivers a 25% performance improvement over its predecessor. With 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB eMMC storage, the BPI-M4 Zero provides substantial computing power in a tiny form factor. It maintains the same 65mm × 30mm dimensions and 40-pin GPIO header as the Raspberry Pi Zero W, ensuring compatibility with existing cases and accessories while offering significantly enhanced capabilities. Key Features Allwinner H618 SoC - Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz (64-bit) with 25% faster CPU frequency than M2 Zero ARM Mali G31 GPU - Capable graphics processing for multimedia and light gaming applications 4GB LPDDR4 RAM - 8x capacity improvement over the M2 Zero's 512MB DDR3 32GB eMMC Storage - Built-in high-speed flash storage plus MicroSD slot (SDIO3.0) for expansion Dual-Band WiFi & Bluetooth 5.0 - 2.4G/5G wireless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.0 support 4K Video Output - miniHDMI 2.0a supporting up to 4K@60Hz with HDR10, CEC, DDC, SCDC USB-C Interface - Modern USB 2.0 Type-C ports (1x HOST, 1x OTG) for power and data 40-Pin GPIO Header - 28 GPIO pins plus power (+5V, +3.3V, GND) compatible with Raspberry Pi accessories 24-Pin FPC Connector - Expansion interface with USB2.0, IR, and 100Mbps Ethernet Raspberry Pi Zero W Compatible - Same form factor (65mm × 30mm) fits most RPI Zero W cases Specifications Specification Details CPU Allwinner H618, Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz (64-bit) GPU ARM Mali G31 Memory 4GB LPDDR4 Storage 32GB eMMC + MicroSD card slot (SDIO3.0) Wireless 2.4G/5G WiFi + Bluetooth 5.0 HDMI 1x miniHDMI 2.0a (up to 4K@60Hz, HDR10, CEC, DDC, SCDC) USB 1x USB2.0 Type-C HOST, 1x USB2.0 Type-C OTG Ethernet 100Mbps (via 24-pin FPC connector) GPIO 40-pin header (28 GPIO + Power: +5V, +3.3V, GND) Expansion 24-pin FPC (0.5mm pitch) with USB2.0, IR, 100Mbps Ethernet, 9x GPIO Buttons Reset, FEL LED Power Status and Activity status Power 5V@3A via USB Type-C Dimensions 65mm × 30mm Weight Approximately 15g Applications The BPI-M4 Zero's compact size and powerful specifications make it ideal for a wide range of applications: IoT Projects - Perfect for embedded Internet of Things applications requiring wireless connectivity and processing power Home Automation - Powerful enough to run home assistant platforms and automation hubs like Home Assistant Media Centers - 4K@60Hz HDMI output makes it suitable for lightweight media streaming applications Retro Gaming - The ARM Mali G31 GPU can handle retro gaming emulation for classic consoles Educational Projects - Compatible with the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, making it excellent for STEM education Portable Devices - Small form factor and low power consumption ideal for battery-powered projects Industrial Control - Reliable Allwinner SoC suitable for industrial automation and control systems Edge Computing - Local processing for AI and machine learning inference at the edge Software Support The BPI-M4 Zero supports multiple operating systems: Android 12 - Official Android support for multimedia and application development Ubuntu - Armbian 24.8.2 with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS for server and desktop applications Debian - Armbian 24.8.2 with Debian 12 for stable Linux environments Source code is available on GitHub including Android source, Linux BSP, Armbian build scripts, U-Boot, and kernel source. GPIO Pinout The 40-pin GPIO header provides: 28x GPIO pins UART, SPI, I2C/TWI, PWM, PCM/I2S interfaces +5V, +3.3V, and GND power pins Full compatibility with Raspberry Pi Zero W accessories and HATs The 24-pin FPC connector additionally provides USB2.0, IR receiver, 100Mbps Ethernet, and 9 additional GPIO pins for expansion. Packing List 1x Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero board (4GB RAM + 32GB eMMC) Downloads Official Documentation Android 12 Source Code Linux BSP Source Allwinner H618 Datasheet Schematic Diagram DXF Mechanical File FAQ What is the difference between BPI-M4 Zero and Raspberry Pi Zero W? The BPI-M4 Zero has the same form factor (65mm × 30mm) and 40-pin GPIO layout as the Raspberry Pi Zero W, making it physically compatible with most RPI Zero W cases and accessories. However, the BPI-M4 Zero offers significantly more powerful specifications: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM vs 512MB, 32GB eMMC vs no eMMC, Allwinner H618 quad-core @ 1.5GHz vs BCM2835 single-core @ 1GHz, and 4K@60Hz HDMI output vs 1080p30. What WiFi modules are available for BPI-M4 Zero? There are two WiFi module variants: K019 supports 2.4G/5G dual-band WiFi (WiFi 5), while K016 only supports 2.4G WiFi (WiFi 4). Both modules support Bluetooth 5.0. Check with your supplier which variant you are purchasing. Can I use Raspberry Pi HATs with BPI-M4 Zero? Yes, the BPI-M4 Zero has the same 40-pin GPIO header layout as the Raspberry Pi Zero W, so most HATs and accessories should work. However, software compatibility may vary, and some HATs may require driver modifications for the Allwinner H618 SoC. What operating systems are supported? The BPI-M4 Zero officially supports Android 12, Ubuntu 22.04 (via Armbian), and Debian 12 (via Armbian). Community support may be available for other distributions. Check the official documentation for the latest OS images. How do I power the BPI-M4 Zero? The board requires 5V@3A power input via the USB Type-C OTG port. Use a quality USB-C power supply capable of delivering at least 3A for stable operation, especially when using WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB peripherals simultaneously. Is there Ethernet support? Yes, the BPI-M4 Zero supports 100Mbps Ethernet through the 24-pin FPC connector. An appropriate adapter or breakout board is required to access the Ethernet interface. What is the difference between the 2GB and 4GB variants? The main difference is RAM capacity (2GB vs 4GB LPDDR4) and eMMC storage (8GB vs 32GB). The 4GB variant is better suited for memory-intensive applications like running full desktop environments, multiple containers, or complex applications. Where can I find more information and support? Visit the official Banana Pi documentation, join the Banana Pi Forum, or check the GitHub repositories for source code and development resources. Related Products 2x20 Pin GPIO Header for Raspberry Pi Zero - Compatible GPIO header 4 Channel Relay Shield for Raspberry Pi - Relay expansion board ReSpeaker 2-Mic Pi HAT - Voice recognition expansion ADS1115 ADC Module - Analog-to-digital converter for GPIO Resources Banana Pi Official Website Banana Pi Documentation Banana Pi Forum Armbian Linux Home Assistant
