If you're a fan of Single Board Computers (SBCs), you’re going to love the latest addition to the Orange Pi lineup – the Orange Pi 5 Ultra. Built around the robust Rockchip RK3588 SoC, this compact powerhouse is slightly larger than a credit card and offers incredible performance, making it ideal for a range of applications from home entertainment to AI and IoT projects.
Let’s dive into what makes the Orange Pi 5 Ultra a standout option in the SBC market.
Compact Design with Exceptional Performance
The Orange Pi 5 Ultra combines a compact form factor (just 89 x 57 mm) with an impressive octa-core processor. It features 4x Cortex-A76 cores running at up to 2.4 GHz and 4x Cortex-A55 cores at up to 1.8 GHz, delivering high efficiency and power. Whether you’re building a media center, experimenting with AI, or running resource-intensive applications, this board won’t disappoint.
For graphics, it includes the Arm Mali-G610 MP4 GPU, supporting Vulkan 1.2, OpenGL ES, and OpenCL, ensuring smooth visuals for gaming, AI training, or video rendering.
8K Video Output and HDMI Input
What sets the Orange Pi 5 Ultra apart is its HDMI 2.1 output supporting 8Kp60 video playback and an HDMI 2.0 input, making it a great choice for video capture and processing. The HDMI input is handled via a V4L2 interface, providing seamless compatibility with both Linux and Android applications.
This is a significant upgrade for users looking to integrate video recording, streaming, or IoT visualization into their projects – all packed into a compact board.
Storage and Memory Options
The Orange Pi 5 Ultra offers flexible storage and memory configurations, ensuring it fits your specific needs:
- 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- eMMC flash options (up to 256GB) or support for an external M.2 NVMe SSD through a PCIe 3.0 x4 socket
- A microSD card slot for additional storage
Connectivity Features
Stay connected with a range of networking and interface options:
- 2.5GbE Ethernet for high-speed wired connectivity
- WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for modern wireless communication
- Four USB ports (2x USB 3.0 and 2x USB 2.0) for peripherals
For expansion, it also includes a 40-pin GPIO header with support for UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, and more, enabling endless possibilities for developers and hobbyists.
AI Capabilities
The board features a 6 TOPS AI accelerator, supporting INT4, INT8, INT16, and FP16 mixed-precision operations. This makes it ideal for machine learning applications, from image recognition to natural language processing.
Operating System and Software
The Orange Pi 5 Ultra supports a wide range of operating systems, including:
- Orange Pi OS (Android, Arch Linux, OpenHarmony)
- Ubuntu 20.04/22.04
- Debian 11/12
- OpenWrt
- Android 13
These systems are designed to unleash the full potential of the RK3588 SoC, with plenty of tools available for developers.
Pricing and Availability
The Orange Pi 5 Ultra is priced competitively, making it accessible for enthusiasts and professionals alike:
- $75 for the 4GB RAM model
- $95 for the 8GB RAM model
- $125 for the 16GB RAM model
Currently, the 8GB and 16GB variants are available on AliExpress, with the 4GB version expected soon.
If you’re looking for an SBC that combines compact size, high performance, and innovative features like HDMI input, the Orange Pi 5 Ultra is an excellent choice. Whether you’re building a smart home, experimenting with AI, or developing IoT solutions, this board has everything you need to bring your projects to life.
Ready to explore more? Visit the official Orange Pi website or trusted online platforms to get yours today!
