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Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero vs Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: Comparison
What is the difference between Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero and Raspberry Pi 4 Model B?
Gpu model is the dividing line, Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero Mali-G31 MP2 against Raspberry Pi 4 Model B VideoCore VI. Add memory to that, 2 GB on the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero versus 4 GB on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, and the pattern holds. Use case is not the same on both, Ultra-Compact / Budget on the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero versus General Purpose on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.
Who each one is for
Buy the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero for battery-powered IoT sensors needing WiFi 6 and ultra-compact embedded projects with tight space budgets, though it is not the pick for projects depending on the Pi Zero HAT ecosystem and beginners wanting maximum tutorial availability. Take the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B for budget desktop, media center, and home server builds that don't need Pi 5-class speed. The same goes for projects with an existing library of Pi 4 HATs and cases. It is not the one for anyone starting fresh who could get better price-to-performance from a Raspberry Pi 5 4GB instead. Our rating of the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (6.7/10): A capable, WiFi 6-equipped Pi Zero rival for battery-powered IoT projects, held back mainly by a thinner tutorial and HAT ecosystem than the official Pi Zero line.
Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero vs Raspberry Pi 4 Model B price
The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B asks 175% more, $55.00 against $20.00 for the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero and Raspberry Pi 4 Model B differ on power input?
Yes. Power Input reads 5V/2A USB-C on the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero versus 5V/3A via USB-C on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.
Is the CPU Architecture the same on the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero and Raspberry Pi 4 Model B?
It is. Both are listed at ARM, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- Banana Pi
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- Raspberry Pi Foundation
CPU Architecture
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- ARM
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- ARM
Memory
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- 2 GB-50%
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- 4 GBBest
Storage Type
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- microSD
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- microSD
SoC Model
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- Allwinner H618, Quad-Core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- Broadcom BCM2711
Wireless
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- WiFi 6
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- WiFi 5, Bluetooth
GPIO Header
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- Yes
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- Yes
Price
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- 20 USD
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- 55 USD
Use Case
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- Ultra-Compact / Budget
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- General Purpose
GPU Model
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- Mali-G31 MP2
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- VideoCore VI
Power Input
- Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
- 5V/2A USB-C
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- 5V/3A via USB-C
Which one should you pick?
Choose Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Raspberry Pi 4 Model B if you want the higher memory (4 GB vs 2 GB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $20.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $55.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
6.7 / 10 Expert Rating
A capable, WiFi 6-equipped Pi Zero rival for battery-powered IoT projects, held back mainly by a thinner tutorial and HAT ecosystem than the official Pi Zero line.