Many people are expecting Hardkernel to launch an Exynos 7 board, but this won’t be with ODROID-XU4, maybe with ODROID-XU5, as the latest development board from Hardkernel is a modified version of ODROID-XU3 with the same Exynos 5422 octa-core processor with four Cortex-A15 cores @ 2GHz and four Cortex-A7 cores.
ODROID-XU4 board specifications (differences with ODROID-XU3 highlighted and sometimes crossed out in bold):
- SoC – Samsung Exynos 5422 quad core ARM Cortex-A15 @ 2.0GHz quad core ARM Cortex-A7 @ 1.4GHz with Mali-T628 MP6 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 3.0 / 2.0 / 1.1 and OpenCL 1.1 Full profile
- System Memory – 2GB LPDDR3 RAM PoP (750 MHz, 12GB/s memory bandwidth, 2x32bit bus)
- Storage – Micro SD slot (up to 64GB) + eMMC 5.0 module socket (16, 32, and 64GB modules available)
- Video Output –
microHDMI (Up to 1080p) andDisplayPort (up to 2160p) - Audio Output – HDMI,
3.5mm headphone jack, and optional S/PDIF out via USB module - Network Connectivity – 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet (~880 Mbps measured with iperf). and optional USB Wi-Fi dongle with antenna
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 host port, 1x USB 2.0 ports
- Expansion – 30-pin header for access to GPIO, IRQ, SPI and ADC signals + 12-pin headers for GPIO., I2S, and I2C
- Debugging – Serial console header
- Misc –
Accurate current sensors and voltage sensors for energy measurement,Power and RGB LEDs, cooling fan header, power button, RTC - Power Supply – 5V/4A power adapter using 5.5/2.1mm barrel.
- Dimensions – 82 x 58 x 22 mm (ODROID-XU3: 94x70x18mm;)
- Weight – 60 grams with fan
One of the cool changes is the HDMI type A connector replacing the micro HDMI port found on most other ODROID boards, and which (indirectly) caused issues for several people, including myself. The Ethernet port now supports Gigabit Ethernet, there are two full-size USB 3.0 host ports, a few more I/Os, and the board is smaller. However, a few ports and ICs are gone including USB OTG support, DisplayPort output, the Audio codec (and audio jack), and the power monitoring sensors. The memory is now clocked at 750 MHz instead and 933 MHz in ODROID-XU3 and ODROID-XU3 Lite.
You can check the introduction video for a quick overview of the new board.
ODROID-XU4 is software compatible with ODROID-XU3 so there’s probably not much new here, and the board supports Ubuntu 15.04 (with OpenGL ES + OpenCL support), and Android 4.4 KitKat and 5.0 Lollipop.
I’m pretty sure most people will still be happy with the board despite some of the lost features, as while ODROID-XU3 costs $179, the new ODROID-XU4 sells for only $74 with a 5V/4A power supply, and the heatsink + fan (mounted). If you are interested, you can purchase it via Hardkernel website, or one of their distributors. It’s also cheaper than ODROID-XU3 Lite ($99) with features the same Exynos processor but clocked at a lower frequency.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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