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Banana Pi BPI-R4 vs FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6: Comparison
Banana Pi BPI-R4 vs FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6: the storage type difference
The first real difference is storage type: Banana Pi BPI-R4 eMMC against FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 NVMe/M.2. Use case is not the same on both, NAS / Server on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus AI / Machine Learning on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6. They differ on official os too, OpenWrt on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus Android 12, Ubuntu, Debian on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6. They differ on connectivity too, 1x 10GbE SFP+, 2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 7 module support,... on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus 2x 2.5GbE, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, 4-lane... on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6.
Who each one is for
Buy the Banana Pi BPI-R4 for multi-gigabit fiber home routing (2.5G-10G) and future-proof WiFi 7 OpenWrt router builds, though it is not the pick for standard gigabit or slower internet connections and budget-conscious router projects. The FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 is the one to take for compact Linux desktop or dev workstation replacement and edge AI inference with NVMe-backed storage, though it is the wrong buy for ultra-low-budget builds and battery-powered portable projects. Our rating of the Banana Pi BPI-R4 (8.5/10): the strongest DIY OpenWrt router board for multi-gigabit fiber connections, if you actually have the bandwidth to use it. Our rating of the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 (8.5/10): one of the strongest all-around RK3588 boards for developers who want NVMe storage and desktop-class RAM without a carrier board.
Which is cheaper, Banana Pi BPI-R4 or FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6?
Cost splits them too. FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 sits at $139, Banana Pi BPI-R4 at $189, 36% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Banana Pi BPI-R4 and FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 differ on onboard storage?
Yes. Onboard Storage reads 8GB eMMC + microSD, optional M.2 SATA/NVMe on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus 2 GB on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6.
Is the CPU Architecture the same on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 and FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6?
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-R4
- Banana Pi
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- FriendlyElec
CPU Architecture
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- ARM
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- ARM
Model Number
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- BPI-R4
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- NanoPC-T6
Memory
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 8 GBBest
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 4GB to 16GB LPDDR5
Storage Type
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- eMMC
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- NVMe/M.2
SoC Model
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- Quad-Core Cortex-A73 up to 2.0GHz
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Quad Cortex-A76 2.4GHz + Quad Cortex-A55 1.8GHz
Has AI Accelerator / NPU
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- No
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Yes
Wireless
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- WiFi 7
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- WiFi 6
GPIO Header
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- Yes
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Yes
Price
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 189 USD
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 139 USD
Use Case
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- NAS / Server
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- AI / Machine Learning
Onboard Storage
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 8GB eMMC + microSD, optional M.2 SATA/NVMe
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 2 GB
Official OS
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- OpenWrt
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Android 12, Ubuntu, Debian
Connectivity
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 1x 10GbE SFP+, 2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 7 module support, M.2 for 5G/LTE modem
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 2x 2.5GbE, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, 4-lane MIPI-CSI/DSI
Which one should you pick?
Choose Banana Pi BPI-R4 if you want the higher memory (8 GB vs 4GB to 16GB LPDDR5).
Choose FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Banana Pi BPI-R4 | FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $189.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $139.00 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-R4
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The strongest DIY OpenWrt router board for multi-gigabit fiber connections, if you actually have the bandwidth to use it.
FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
One of the strongest all-around RK3588 boards for developers who want NVMe storage and desktop-class RAM without a carrier board.