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Most Raspberry Pi clones we’ve seen over the years have been designed to be the same shape and size as the Raspberry Pi Model B line of credit card-sized computers. But every now and then somebody decides to copy the design of the smaller Raspberry Pi Zero.
The latest example? The Geniatech XPI-3566-Zero sure looks like a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. But it has a faster processor, speedier wireless connectivity, onboard eMMC storage and support for more RAM. It also costs quite a bit more though.
While Raspberry Pi’s Zero 2 W has a 1 GHz Broadcom BCM2710A1 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with VideoCore IV graphics, the Geniatech system features a 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A55 processor and Mali-G52 2EE graphics. The chip also features a neural processing unit with up to 1 TOPS of AI performance.
Like Raspberry Pi’s little computer, the XPI-3566-Zero measures 65 x 30mm (2.6″ x 1.2″) and features a mini HDMI port for video output, a MIPI-CSI camera connector, and a 40-pin GPIO header.
While the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has two micro USB ports, Geniatech’s board has two USB-C ports (one is a USB 2.0 OTG port and the other is a power input).
The Geniatech XPI-3566-Zero supports WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 and features LPDDR4 memory and eMMC flash storage. Entry-level configurations feature just 512MB of RAM and 8GB of storage, but the little computer supports up to 8GB of memory and a 128GB eMMC module.
As of November 6, 2023, there are two models available for purchase directly from GeniaTech:
By comparison, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W tops out at 512MB of RAM, WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2. and doesn’t have any option at all for onboard storage. But there is one thing the Raspberry Pi board has that this model lacks: a microSD card reader.
This article was first published August 2, 2023 and most recently updated November 6, 2023.Â
via CNX Software and LinuxGizmos
Pre-order only (as of Nov 7, 2023)
This looks quite similar to the Radxa Zero 3 W, except if it’s available some people might be willing to overlook the higher prices…
Its a very good alternative for Raspberry Pi Zero Clone but the question is about the availability and the support, many a times the availability and development time support plays an important role why some boards are way more popular that the other.
I have created a blog where some other Clone are also list if you would like to have a look: https://pallavaggarwal.in/2021/08/30/raspberry-pi-zero-clones/
Do we know what WiFi chip it uses and whether source code is available?
Are they going to publish Device Tree Source code?
The chip is an Ampak AP6256. I don’t know off the top of my head about source code, but it was released in 2017 and this doesn’t appear to be the first time it was used in something aimed at Linux users, so there is probably information out there about how open source friendly it is.
what with power consumptions?
benchamrk?
I think you might have an error about the Raspberry Pi options. You said:
“By comparison, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W tops out at WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2 speeds and 4GB of RAM, and doesn’t have any option at all for onboard storage.”
I don’t see any Pi Zero option with more than 512 MB of RAM. As far as I know, only the 4B and compute modules have multiple RAM options. There are other Zero-shaped boards with more RAM, but I don’t think Raspberry Pi makes any.
You’re right, thanks. I’ve updated the article to reflect that!
Looks like they sell a larger version of the board (normal Raspberry Pi form-factor) for $55.
That’s fairly overpriced. You can buy an Android Mini PC/TV Box with the exact same SOC, and the same amount of RAM for $30. That comes with a power adapter, and remote control.
You can buy an emulation handheld (Miyoo Mini Plus) with the exact same hardware for the exact same $55 price. And that’s a complete device, with a screen, battery, everything.