Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero
Expert rating6.7 / 10
- SoC:
- Allwinner H618
- CPU:
- Quad-Core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz
- Memory:
- Up to 2GB LPDDR4
- Storage:
- microSD
- Price:
- $20
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Manufacturer: Banana Pi Last updated: 2026-09-12
Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board) Review
Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero ultra-compact single-board computer with an Allwinner H618 quad-core CPU, up to 2GB LPDDR4 RAM, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and a Raspberry Pi Zero-style form factor.
Shaped and priced to go head-to-head with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, the BPI-M4 Zero one-ups it on wireless with WiFi 6 support, though it settles for a smaller software ecosystem and less battle-tested Linux images in exchange for the newer radio.
Overview
Banana Pi built the M4 Zero to match the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W's tiny footprint almost pin-for-pin while jumping to Allwinner's newer H618 SoC and adding WiFi 6, aiming at battery-powered IoT and compact embedded projects where every millimeter and milliwatt counts.
Performance & Connectivity
4K video decode, WiFi 6 with better throughput and lower latency than the Zero 2 W's WiFi 4, and a compatible 40-pin header (unpopulated, solder-your-own like the Pi Zero) keep the M4 Zero flexible for both bare-board and header-equipped builds.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, the BPI-M4 Zero offers a newer WiFi standard and more RAM headroom, but gives up the Pi Zero's unmatched HAT compatibility and community documentation. Compared to the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero, the M4 Zero is a full generation newer, faster, and better connected.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Banana Pi |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | ARM |
|---|---|
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Storage Type | microSD |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | No |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 |
| GPIO Header | Yes |
| Price | 20 USD |
| Use Case | Ultra-Compact / Budget |
| Model | BPI-M4 Zero |
| Processor | Allwinner H618, Quad-Core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G31 MP2 |
| Power | 5V/2A USB-C |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6.7 / 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.
Best for
- Battery-powered IoT sensors needing WiFi 6
- Ultra-compact embedded projects with tight space budgets
- Low-cost wireless camera or streaming nodes
Not for
- Projects depending on the Pi Zero HAT ecosystem
- Beginners wanting maximum tutorial availability
- Compute-heavy workloads (2GB RAM ceiling)
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board)?
The Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board) is a single board computer from Banana Pi. Key specs: Processor Allwinner H618, Quad-Core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz, CPU Architecture ARM, GPU Mali-G31 MP2, Memory 2, Storage Type microSD.
Will the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board) work with my current setup?
The Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board) lists Processor is Allwinner H618, Quad-Core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board) best suited to?
It suits battery-powered iot sensors needing wifi 6, ultra-compact embedded projects with tight space budgets, low-cost wireless camera or streaming nodes.
What are the drawbacks of the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H618/Quad-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz/Up to 2GB LPDDR4/Ultra-Compact WiFi 6 Pico Board)?
It is a poor fit for projects depending on the pi zero hat ecosystem, beginners wanting maximum tutorial availability, compute-heavy workloads (2gb ram ceiling).
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