Khadas Edge2 Review – A Rockchip RK3588S Powered Thin and Powerful SBC for Makers and Developers

The Khadas Edge2 is a Rockchip RK3588S powered Single Board Computer (SBC) renowned for being the thinnest in the industry, measuring just 5.7mm in height (without the heatsink) this thin little SBC features an octa-core Cortex-A76/A55 processor, up to 16GB LPDDR4 memory, 32SPI flash, camera, USB, Audio and much more. The new board has the same form factor as a  Rockchip RK3399 powered Khadas Edge but certain differences make the Khadas Edge2 a much more interesting device than the older one.

Design and Features

The most highlighted feature is its thinness, the board is just 5.7mm thick (without a heatsink) that can be compared to a stack of credit cards. So considering the form factor alone it makes a great choice for projects where space is limited.

The board is powered by a Rockchip RK3588S, which we have seen being used on SBCs like the Toybrick TB-RK3588SD, NanoPi R6C, and many other devices so the SoC delivers a good balance of speed, efficiency, and power. In terms of RAM, it can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which should be enough for most tasks.

One unique feature of the Edge2 is its support for up to four independent displays. This opens up possibilities for projects like digital signage or multi-monitor setups. The board also has many ports, including USB, HDMI, and MIPI-CSI for connecting cameras.

The onboard RTC battery and STM32 microcontroller enable automated power-on and standby, a convenient feature for headless setups. The lack of an Ethernet port might be a drawback for some users, but including a high-speed Wi-Fi 6 module effectively compensates for this.

Performance

The Rockchip’s RK3588S delivers exceptional performance in generic tasks like Home serve, 4K video playback and streaming, Edge AI processing, and others.  The octa-core CPU, Mali-G610 MP4 GPU, and 6 TOPS NPU make it capable of handling demanding tasks like 4K UI rendering, 3D gaming, and AI applications.

The video capabilities of the are equally impressive, with support for up to 8K decoding and encoding, opening up possibilities for digital signage, entertainment, and gaming. The availability of both Basic (8GB RAM/32GB eMMC) and Pro (16GB RAM/64GB eMMC) variants allows users to choose the configuration that best suits their needs.

Software: Multi-OS Flexibility and OOWOW Convenience

The Edge2 supports Ubuntu 22.04 and Android 11/12 out of the box, and Khadas’ OOWOW system simplifies the installation process, making it easy for users to switch between operating systems. The Fenix one-click script further streamlines the process of building custom Linux distributions.

Maker Friendliness: Pogo Pads, MIPI Interfaces, and Expansion Modules

Khadas hasn’t forgotten about their DIY! enthusiasts and hobbies. The Edge2 is designed with Pogo Pads, MIPI interfaces, and FPC headers, providing convenient access to essential I/O for programmers and developers. The availability of an IO Expansion Module further expands the device’s capabilities, adding features like SD card support and UART debugging.

To make things simpler we have written down the specifics of the board with details you can check those out below.

Khadas Edge2 Basic/Pro specifications:

• SoC: Rockchip RK3588S
• CPU: Octa-core (4x Cortex-A76 @ 2.25 GHz, 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8 GHz)
• GPU: Arm Mali G610MC4
• NPU: 6 TOPS
• VPU: 8Kp60 H.265/AV1 decode, 8Kp30 H.264/H.265 encode
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR4x, 64GB eMMC
• Storage: 32MB SPI flash (OOWOW system)
• Video Output:
  • HDMI 2.1 (up to 8Kp60)
  • USB-C DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 4Kp60)
  • 2x 4-lane MIPI DSI (up to 4Kp60)
• Audio: Digital mic, HDMI/USB-C audio out
• Camera: 3x 4-lane MIPI CSI
• Wireless: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
• USB:
  • 1x USB 3.1 Type-A
  • 1x USB 2.0 Type-A
  • 1x USB 3.1 Type-C (data, DP Alt mode, USB PD)
  • 1x USB Type-C (power only)
• Expansion:
  • 2x 30-pin GPIO
  • 7x pogo pins (USB, UART, 5V, GND)
• Misc: Fan header, accelerometer, RTC battery, RGB LEDs, buttons
• Power: USB-C PD, XPWR pads
• Dimensions: 82 x 57.5 x 5.7 mm (board only)
• Weight: 25 grams
• Certifications: RoHS, CE, FCC, TELEC, KC

The Khadas Edge2 is an ultra-thin powerhouse that pushes the boundaries of SBCs. Its combination of performance, versatility, and maker-friendly features makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. Whether you’re a software developer, a hardware enthusiast, or someone looking for a powerful and compact computing solution, the Edge2 has something to offer.

The Khadas Edge2 is available for purchase from the official Khadas website starting at $199.00 for the base model. It can also be found on Amazon for $259.00, sometimes with additional accessories or bundles included. More information can be found on the company’s products page.

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