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Banana Pi BPI-R4 vs FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S: Comparison
Banana Pi BPI-R4 vs FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S onboard storage compared
The first real difference is onboard storage: Banana Pi BPI-R4 8GB eMMC + microSD, optional M.2 SATA/NVMe against FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S eMMC module slot + microSD. Official os is not the same on both, OpenWrt on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus OpenWrt, Ubuntu, Debian, Armbian on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S. There is a split on connectivity as well, 1x 10GbE SFP+, 2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 7 module support,... on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus 2x 2.5GbE, USB 3.0, USB-C power/data on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S.
Banana Pi BPI-R4 vs FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S: which one fits your build
The Banana Pi BPI-R4 suits multi-gigabit fiber home routing (2.5G-10G) and future-proof WiFi 7 OpenWrt router builds, though it is the wrong buy for standard gigabit or slower internet connections and budget-conscious router projects. The FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S is the one to take for combined router and Docker home-server duty and frigate-style NVR with local AI detection, though it is not the pick for simple single-purpose routing (R5S is cheaper) and builds needing built-in wireless. 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 NanoPi R6S (8.5/10): the best combination of router throughput and general compute in this size class, if the router+server dual role fits your setup.
Banana Pi BPI-R4 vs FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S price
Cost splits them too. FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S sits at $105, Banana Pi BPI-R4 at $189, 80% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Banana Pi BPI-R4 and FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S differ on gpio header?
Yes. GPIO Header reads Yes on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 versus No on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S.
Is the CPU Architecture the same on the Banana Pi BPI-R4 and FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S?
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 NanoPi R6S
- FriendlyElec
CPU Architecture
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- ARM
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- ARM
Model Number
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- BPI-R4
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- NanoPi R6S
Memory
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 8 GBBest
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage Type
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- eMMC
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- eMMC
SoC Model
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- Quad-Core Cortex-A73 up to 2.0GHz
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- Quad Cortex-A76 2.4GHz + Quad Cortex-A55 1.8GHz
Has AI Accelerator / NPU
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- No
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- Yes
Wireless
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- WiFi 7
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- None (Ethernet only)
GPIO Header
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- Yes
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- No
Price
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 189 USD
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- 105 USD
Use Case
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- NAS / Server
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- NAS / Server
Onboard Storage
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 8GB eMMC + microSD, optional M.2 SATA/NVMe
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- eMMC module slot + microSD
Official OS
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- OpenWrt
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- OpenWrt, Ubuntu, Debian, Armbian
Connectivity
- Banana Pi BPI-R4
- 1x 10GbE SFP+, 2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 7 module support, M.2 for 5G/LTE modem
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S
- 2x 2.5GbE, USB 3.0, USB-C power/data
Which one should you pick?
Choose Banana Pi BPI-R4 if you want the higher memory (8 GB vs 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X).
Choose FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Banana Pi BPI-R4 | FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $189.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $105.00 View on Amazon |
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 NanoPi R6S
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The best combination of router throughput and general compute in this size class, if the router+server dual role fits your setup.