Banana Pi

Banana Pi BPI-M5

Expert rating6.9 / 10

SoC:: Amlogic S905X3
CPU:: Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz
Memory:: 4GB LPDDR4
Storage:: microSD + eMMC socket
Price:: $65

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Manufacturer: Banana Pi Last updated: 2026-09-12

Banana Pi BPI-M5 Review

Banana Pi BPI-M5 single-board computer built on the Amlogic S905X3 with quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU, 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 40-pin Raspberry Pi-compatible GPIO header.

The BPI-M5 was one of the more credible Pi 4 alternatives during the chip-shortage years, pairing a media-savvy Amlogic SoC with a familiar 40-pin layout, and it still holds up today as a cheaper, easier-to-source board for GPIO projects that don't need Pi-specific software.

Overview

Banana Pi built the M5 around the same Amlogic S905X3 chip found in many Android TV boxes, giving it strong 4K video decode capability alongside general-purpose ARM computing, all wrapped in a Pi 4-shaped board with a matching 40-pin header.

Performance & Connectivity

Cortex-A55 cores trade peak single-thread speed for efficiency, so the M5 sits below Pi 4/5 in compute benchmarks but ahead of it in video codec support (H.265 4K60 decode). Gigabit Ethernet, an eMMC socket, and dual-band WiFi 5 make it a capable media-center or lightweight server board.

Comparison to Alternatives

Against the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB), the BPI-M5 offers better hardware video decode but a rougher Linux driver experience and smaller community. Compared to its own successor, the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro, the original M5 is slower and lacks an NPU, but remains cheaper and simpler for basic GPIO or media projects.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating6.9 / 10

A solid, GPIO-compatible Pi alternative for media and general tinkering, though the driver ecosystem needs more patience than the official Raspberry Pi line.

Best for

4K media center boxes (Kodi/LibreELEC)
Budget GPIO projects needing a Pi 4-style header
Boards where eMMC boot speed matters

Not for

Projects requiring official Raspberry Pi OS support
AI/ML workloads needing an onboard NPU
Users unwilling to troubleshoot smaller-community Linux images

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	Banana Pi
Model Number	BPI-M5

Processor

SoC Model	Amlogic S905X3, Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz

Graphics and AI

GPU Model	Mali-G31 MP2

Power

Power Input	5V/3A USB-C

CPU Architecture	ARM
Memory	4 GB
Storage Type	eMMC
Has AI Accelerator / NPU	No
Wireless	WiFi 5
GPIO Header	Yes
Price	65 USD
Use Case	General Purpose

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-M5 (Single-Board Computer/Amlogic S905X3/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/4GB LPDDR4/Raspberry Pi Form-Factor Alternative)?

Key specs for the Banana Pi BPI-M5: CPU Architecture ARM, GPU Mali-G31 MP2, Storage Type eMMC, Processor Amlogic S905X3, Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz, Wireless WiFi 5, GPIO Header Yes.

Will the Banana Pi BPI-M5 (Single-Board Computer/Amlogic S905X3/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/4GB LPDDR4/Raspberry Pi Form-Factor Alternative) work with my current setup?

The Banana Pi BPI-M5 (Single-Board Computer/Amlogic S905X3/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/4GB LPDDR4/Raspberry Pi Form-Factor Alternative) lists Processor is Amlogic S905X3, Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz. 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-M5 (Single-Board Computer/Amlogic S905X3/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/4GB LPDDR4/Raspberry Pi Form-Factor Alternative) best suited to?

Best suited to: 4K media center boxes (Kodi/LibreELEC); Budget GPIO projects needing a Pi 4-style header; Boards where eMMC boot speed matters.

What are the drawbacks of the Banana Pi BPI-M5 (Single-Board Computer/Amlogic S905X3/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/4GB LPDDR4/Raspberry Pi Form-Factor Alternative)?

Not the best fit for: Projects requiring official Raspberry Pi OS support; AI/ML workloads needing an onboard NPU; Users unwilling to troubleshoot smaller-community Linux images.