NanoPi R2S Plus dual GbE SBC and router gets 32GB flash, USB-C debug port, M.2 socket for WiFi

NanoPi R2S Plus dual GbE SBC and router is an update to the Rockchip RK3328-powered NanoPi R2S SBC that was introduced in 2020 with the new model adding a 32GB eMMC flash, a USB-C debug port for easier debugging without having to open the enclosure, and an M.2 socket for an optional SDIO WiFi module.

The NanoPi R2 Plus still comes with 1GB DDR4 memory, a microSD card, two gigabit Ethernet ports implemented through the RK3328’s GMAC and a USB 3.0 controller, adds one extra USB 2.0 port, and ditches the micro USB port used for power with a USB-C port.

NanoPi R2 Plus
NanoPi R2 Plus with and without a metal enclosure

NanoPi R2S Plus specifications:

  • SoC – Rockchip RK3328 quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5 GHz with Arm Mali-450MP2
  • System Memory – 1GB DDR4 RAM
  • Storage – 32GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot, SPI flash footprint
  • Connectivity
    • 1x Gigabit Ethernet (WAN) up to 941 Mbps (measured) via Realtek RTL8211F gigabit Ethernet controller
    • 1x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN) up to 941 Mbps (measured) via Realtek RTL8153B USB 3.0 to gigabit Ethernet controller
    • Optional M.2 RTL8822CS WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless module support AP and repeater modes
    • Two antenna holes
  • USB – 2x USB Type-A host port, 1x USB-C port (power + slave)
  • Debugging
    • 3-pin 2.54mm pitch header for serial console
    • USB-C debug port for serial console set to 1,500,000 bps
  • Expansion
    • M.2 E-Key socket for SDIO WiFi module
    • 10-pin GPIO header with GPIOs, I2C, UART, IR_Rx, 5V, 3.3V and GND
  • Misc – 3x LEDs (WAN, LAN, SYS), user and maskrom buttons, fan header
  • Power Supply – 5V DC/2A via USB-C port
  • Dimensions
    • PCB – 58 x 58 mm (instead of 55.6 x 52mm for the NanoPi R2S)
    • Router – 63.5 x 62.5 x 25.4mm
  • Weight – 145 grams with metal enclosure
  • Temperature Range – 0°C to 70°C

NanoPi R2 Plus RK3328 dual GbE SBC

The new PCB appears to be slightly larger, and other small changes include the removal of the 10-pin GPIO header and the SPI flash footprint, we get two buttons instead of one, and two USB 2.0 ports instead of one.

We reviewed the NanoPi R2S with Armbian (Linux 5.8) in October 2020, but FriendlyELEC now provided Linux 6.1-based images of FriendlyWrt (fork of OpenWrt), OpenMediaVault, Debian Core, and Ubuntu Core for the new NanoPi R2S Plus, all of which you’ll find in the wiki along with detailed instructions.

Dual GbE router with M.2 WiFi socket

FriendlyELEC is selling the NanoPi R2S Plus SBC for $30 and the NanoPi R2S Plus Combo with metal enclosure for $36. An M.2 WiFi RTL8822CS module is offered as an option for $9.99 with two antennas in an unusually short form factor. The new model basically makes the earlier “cost-optimized” NanoPi R2C Plus obsolete, and I can’t find it on the FriendlyELEC website anymore.

Router with short WiFi antenna

Via LinuxGizmos

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4 Comments
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Rogan Dawes
Rogan Dawes
10 months ago

Bet the external debug port will make Willy happy! 🙂

Willy
Willy
10 months ago

Hehe 🙂 Exactly what I thought! Yeah, that’s what I call a router. No need for a screwdriver anymore to recover it. FriendlyELEC starts the year with good news (and amazing prices as usual for a complete product)! The increased port density is impressive, when you look at the board’s layout. In the past I had been annoying them about the disposition and height of the ports, and we looked at various options for USB ports together, but nothing really outstanding was found. The very narrow ports they’re using now allow to save enough space to add two extra ports… Read more »

Willy
Willy
10 months ago

It also seems they’ve finally addressed the power consumption issue that was apparently affecting the R2C/R2S in the past, because now it’s roughly 12 degrees C below the best of the previous models, or 20 degrees below the first one (R2C).

Boardcon Rockchip and Allwinner SoM and SBC products