Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite: A more Affordable R4 Router Board Variant is now available!

Table of contents

Maybe you missed it? Review of the Banana Pi R4.
Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite Announcement: Overview and Key Features.

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite now available

The Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite is the latest addition to the Banana Pi router board family, offering a more affordable alternative to the previous BPI-R4 model. Designed as a cost-effective solution for home networking, small offices, and educational projects, the BPI-R4 Lite packs a punch with its impressive features and capabilities. This single-board computer is powered by a MediaTek MT7987A quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from basic computing tasks to network infrastructure setups.

A Closer Look at the Board

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite Board Components

A closer look at the board Interfaces

Main Specs:

MediaTek MT7987A quad-core Arm Cortex-A53.
2 GB DDR4 (SoC supports up to 4 GB).
8GB eMMC flash.
256 MB SPI NAND flash.
32 MB SPI-NOR flash memory.
1x Micro SD card slot.
1 x 2.5G SFP.
1x 2.5G RJ45 WAN port (supports PoE with a PoE module).
4 x 1G RJ-45 LAN.
1 x USB 3.0 slot.
1x M.2 Key-B slot with USB 3.0 for 5G module.
1x miniPCIe slot with a PCIe 3.0 x2 lane interface for a Wi-Fi 7 NIC (Option: 2x miniPCIe slots with PCIe 3.0 x1 lanes)
1x mini PCIe slot with a USB 2.0 interface.
1x USB Type-C Debug Console.
Applications: 2 x 8-pin MikroBUS headers for expanding applications.

Key Takeaways

MikroBUS headers are incorporated, similar to those featured on the OpenWrt One router.
The Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite is a more affordable variant of the BPI-R4, offering a budget-friendly option for users.
The BPI-R4 Lite, akin to the R4 model, features support for Wi-Fi 7 connectivity through an expansion card equipped with a Wi-Fi 7 NIC.
Key features of the BPI-R4 Lite include a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and multiple connectivity options.
The BPI-R4 Lite offers robust connectivity options with support for 4G and 5G modems through both a nano SIM slot and an M.2 Key-B interface.

Hardware: Banana Pi R4 vs. Banana Pi R4 Lite

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite vs. Banana Pi BPI-R4
Parameters	Banana Pi BPI-R4 Lite	Banana Pi BPI-R4
–
CPU	MediaTek MT7987A	MediaTek MT7988 (Filogic 880)
RAM Configurations	2G / 4GB (DDR4)	4 GB / 8GB (DDR4)
CPU architecture	Cortex-A53 (64-bit SoC)	Cortex-A73 (64-bit SoC)
Core number	4	4
CPU Frequency (Max)	4×2.00 GHz	4×1.80 GHz
26 PIN GPIO Header
Other Interfaces	1x M.2 KEY-B slot with USB3.0 for 5G Module. 1x miniPCIe slot with PCIe3.0 2lane interface for Wi-Fi 7 NIC (Option: 2x miniPCIe slots with PCIe3.0 1lane). 1x miniPCIe slot with USB2.0 interface	1x M.2 KEY-B slot with USB3.2 interface for 5G. 1x M.2 KEY-M slot with PCIe3.0 1lane interface for NVME SSD. 2x miniPCIe slots with PCIe3.0 2lane interface for Wi-Fi 7 NIC (Network Interface Card).
Micro SD (TF) Card Slot
8GB eMMC onboard storage
128MB SPI-NAND Flash
32MB SPI NOR Flash
Boot switch
USB port	USB 3.0	USB 3.2
Integrated WiFi 7 Support	Optional via expansion board	Optional via expansion board
Antennas	?	External Antennas + DFS Antenna (Using WiFi7 iPA NIC Module)
3 Pin debug serial port (UART)
Buttons	1x Boot switch 1x Reset	1x Boot switch 1x WPS 1x Reset
Ethernet	4x 1GbE RJ45 Ethernet 1x 2.5GbE (WAN) RJ45 Ethernet 1x SFP 2.5GbE port	4x 1GbE RJ45 Ethernet 2x SFP 10GbE port
SIM support	x3 Nano SIM	x3 Nano SIM
Integrated PoE support	Optional	Optional
PCB size	100.5x148mm
Weight	?	250g
Power Interface	Type-C PD 20V DC 12V 5.2A or 19V 3.2A	Type-C PD 20V DC 12V 5.2A or 19V 3.2A
RTC Battery Interface
OS	Ubuntu/Debian/OpenWrt
Astimate Price	N/A	$109

Featuring a Wi-Fi 7-compatible NIC

A pivotal aspect of the Banana Pi router board series design strategy revolves around the configuration of the miniPCIe slots. Currently, the design incorporates two miniPCIe slots, each utilizing a single PCIe lane, which provides a standard connection option. However, to enhance compatibility and performance with high-speed Wi-Fi 7 cards, such as the BE14 model. This setup would enable users to insert the cards directly into the slots without the need for any external adapters, thereby streamlining the installation process and optimizing performance.

How does this design compare to the R4 board?

In the more expansive R4 Variant, the miniPCIe slots are designed to support two lanes, which is an enhancement compared to the capabilities found in the Lite edition. While this downgrade could potentially offer lower performance or lesser bandwidth utilization for certain applications, many users may find that it is not a substantial enough difference to be considered a deal breaker for their typical needs. Therefore, while this technical specification may be noteworthy, it likely will not significantly impact the overall functionality for most users. Ultimately, the decision will depend on individual use cases and performance requirements.

Banana Pi BE14 NIC (Wireless network interface controller)

Key Findings and Reflections: The Good and the less Good

While some design compromises have been made, this board does not include the two 10G SFP+ ports offered in the pricier R4 model, which retails for about $109. Furthermore, it lacks an M.2 NVMe slot. However, for those utilizing a 2.5 Gbps fiber optic infrastructure, this board presents a solid and a more cost-effective choice.

In this version, the Banana Pi team added a Type-C UART Debug port, rather than using the pin type found in the Banana Pi R3 and R4 models. This improvement simplifies access to the board, particularly for recovery and updating purposes. Additionally, the board does not come with a Wi-Fi expansion board, making it more compact and cost-effective compared to the R4. There remains the option to install an NVMe SSD via the Mini-PCIe slot; however, you will likely need a specialized adapter card, which is less convenient than utilizing the more common M.2 slot.

In summary, the BPI-R4 Lite is like a downgraded or slimmed-down version of its predecessor. It still does all the important stuff, but at a lower price. It’s a little router board that’s small and gets the job done. With its strong performance and convenient size, the BPI-R4 Lite presents an excellent choice for individuals who value open-source technology and are in the market for an affordable router that runs on OpenWrt OS.