Sipeed Lichee RV
Expert rating6.5 / 10
- SoC:
- Allwinner D1s
- CPU Architecture:
- RISC-V
- Memory:
- 64MB or 256MB DDR2
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Manufacturer: Sipeed Last updated: 2026-09-12
Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board) Review
Sipeed Lichee RV is a coin-sized, sub-$10 RISC-V single-board computer built around Allwinner's D1s chip, aimed at makers who want to run Linux on RISC-V hardware for the price of a cup of coffee.
At roughly the size of a large postage stamp and priced closer to a microcontroller than a computer, the Lichee RV is Sipeed's proof that a real Linux-capable RISC-V machine can cost single-digit dollars. It's slow by any modern standard, but it boots a full Linux userspace, which is the whole point for RISC-V hobbyists and embedded tinkerers on a budget.
Linux for Pocket Change
Where most 'cheap' SBCs still land in the $20-40 range, the Lichee RV undercuts them dramatically by pairing a single RISC-V core with as little as 64MB of RAM, enough to boot a minimal Linux Buildroot or Debian image for embedded scripting, camera capture, and GPIO control.
Realistic Expectations
A single 1GHz C906 core with 64-256MB of RAM is closer to a high-end microcontroller than a desktop replacement; it's suited to headless scripts, sensor logging, and simple camera pipelines, not multitasking or a graphical desktop.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Milk-V Duo, another sub-$10 RISC-V board, the Lichee RV is broadly comparable in price and target use, with the choice often coming down to which module ecosystem (Sipeed's Lichee stack vs Milk-V's Duo accessories) the project already uses. Both sit far below the StarFive VisionFive 2 in capability but at a fraction of the cost.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Sipeed |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | RISC-V |
|---|---|
| Memory | 64 GB |
| Storage Type | microSD |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | No |
| Wireless | None (Ethernet only) |
| GPIO Header | Yes |
| Price | 9 USD |
| Use Case | Ultra-Compact / Budget |
| Model | Lichee RV |
| SoC | Allwinner D1s |
| Processor | Single-Core XuanTie C906 up to 1GHz |
| GPU | None (integrated video decode only) |
| Storage | microSD card slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C OTG, MIPI-CSI camera connector, GPIO pins |
| Operating System | Linux (Buildroot/Debian minimal) |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6.5 / 10
Not a general-purpose computer, but an excellent teaching and embedded-Linux tool at an unbeatable price.
Best for
- Learning RISC-V Linux internals cheaply
- Simple headless sensor/camera embedded projects
- Cost-sensitive IoT prototyping
Not for
- Any GUI or desktop use
- Multitasking or server workloads
- Projects needing wireless connectivity
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board)?
The Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board) is a single board computer from Sipeed. Key specs: SoC Allwinner D1s, CPU Architecture RISC-V, Processor Single-Core XuanTie C906 up to 1GHz, GPU None (integrated video decode only), Memory 64MB or 256MB onboard DDR2.
Will the Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board) work with my current setup?
The Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board) lists SoC is Allwinner D1s. 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 Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board) best suited to?
It suits learning risc-v linux internals cheaply, simple headless sensor/camera embedded projects, cost-sensitive iot prototyping.
What are the drawbacks of the Sipeed Lichee RV (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner D1s RISC-V/1GHz Single-Core/64-256MB DDR2/Ultra-Budget RISC-V Nano Board)?
It is a poor fit for any gui or desktop use, multitasking or server workloads, projects needing wireless connectivity.
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