Orange Pi CM4
Expert rating6.5 / 10
- SoC:
- Rockchip RK3566
- CPU:
- Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz
- Memory:
- Up to 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage:
- Onboard eMMC up to 32GB
- Price:
- From $35
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Manufacturer: Orange Pi Last updated: 2026-09-12
Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module) Review
Orange Pi CM4 compute module built on the Rockchip RK3566, up to 8GB LPDDR4 RAM, onboard eMMC storage, a small NPU, and a SO-DIMM edge connector for mounting on custom or official Orange Pi carrier boards.
Priced well below the Raspberry Pi CM4 it visually competes with, the Orange Pi CM4 gives makers and small manufacturers a cheaper embeddable module with a built-in NPU, at the cost of a much smaller carrier-board ecosystem and less mature long-term software support.
Overview
Following the Raspberry Pi CM4's SO-DIMM concept, Orange Pi's CM4 swaps in a Rockchip RK3566 SoC, undercutting the official module's price while adding a small onboard NPU that the Broadcom-based original lacks entirely.
Performance & Connectivity
On its official carrier board, the module exposes Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, HDMI, and a 40-pin GPIO header; the NPU can run lightweight RKNN-converted vision models for basic detection tasks that the Raspberry Pi CM4 would need external hardware for.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, the Orange Pi CM4 is meaningfully cheaper and adds an NPU, but trails badly on documentation, carrier-board variety, and long-term supply guarantees that industrial buyers value. Compared to full boards like the Orange Pi 3B, the CM4 trades plug-and-play convenience for embeddability into a custom product.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Orange Pi |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | ARM |
|---|---|
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Storage Type | eMMC |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | Yes |
| Wireless | WiFi 5 |
| GPIO Header | No |
| Price | 35 USD |
| Use Case | General Purpose |
| Model | Orange Pi CM4 |
| Processor | Rockchip RK3566, Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE |
| Power | Carrier-board dependent, typically 5V |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6.5 / 10
A budget-friendly CM4-style module with a useful NPU bonus, best suited to cost-sensitive hobby products rather than anything needing long-term industrial support.
Best for
- Cost-sensitive custom carrier-board projects
- Small hobbyist products needing basic NPU vision
- Makers comfortable with a smaller support community
Not for
- Industrial products needing guaranteed long-term supply
- Anyone wanting the Raspberry Pi CM4's carrier-board ecosystem
- Projects needing extensive official documentation
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module)?
The Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module) is a single board computer from Orange Pi. Key specs: Processor Rockchip RK3566, Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz, CPU Architecture ARM, GPU Mali-G52 2EE, Memory 8, Storage Type eMMC.
Will the Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module) work with my current setup?
The Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module) lists Processor is Rockchip RK3566, 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 Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module) best suited to?
It suits cost-sensitive custom carrier-board projects, small hobbyist products needing basic npu vision, makers comfortable with a smaller support community.
What are the drawbacks of the Orange Pi CM4 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55 1.8GHz/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/SO-DIMM Embedded Module)?
It is a poor fit for industrial products needing guaranteed long-term supply, anyone wanting the raspberry pi cm4's carrier-board ecosystem, projects needing extensive official documentation.
Compare and read more
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