Banana Pi’s BPI-CM7 is a newly announced compute module built around Allwinner’s H618, but it is not a standalone Raspberry Pi-style computer. It needs a carrier board to provide usable ports and connections. Its reported specifications make it a point of comparison with Raspberry Pi’s Compute Module 5 (CM5), but there is not yet enough confirmed information to establish that the modules share carrier-board compatibility, software support, or a price and release date.
What is the Banana Pi BPI-CM7?
The BPI-CM7 is a compute module: a compact board designed to be installed on a separate carrier board. Unlike a complete single-board computer, it does not provide the usual external ports on its own. A carrier board makes the module practical for prototyping or integrating into a product, and can expose the interfaces an application needs.
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Banana Pi’s available product documentation identifies an Allwinner H618 platform, LPDDR4 memory, eMMC storage, a K019 wireless module with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, and two 100-pin board-to-board connectors (Banana Pi’s BPI-CM7 documentation). Notebookcheck’s October 8, 2026 report describes a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-G31 GPU, and reports a 2 GB RAM/32 GB eMMC configuration. That reported configuration should not be taken as proof that a retail SKU is available.
What specifications and connections have been reported?
Notebookcheck reports a 55 × 40 mm module footprint, 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet, USB 2.0 interface routing, GPIO, UART and SPI, and 5 V input. HDMI output depends on whether the carrier board exposes it. These details describe reported module capabilities and the connections a carrier may provide; they are not a guarantee that any particular carrier supports them (Notebookcheck, October 8, 2026).
#1 Best Overall
- [MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) SoC] Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro 8X/4E Wiifi 7 OpenWRT Router Board with MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) SoC (Quad-core ARM Corex-A73 CPU design), onboard 4GB (4E)/8GB (8X) DDR4 RAM, 8GB eMMC and 128MB SPI-NAND flash, works as 36Gbps Wi-Fi 7 access point/router/smart gateway. It is also a very high performance open source router development boards. It is an upgraded version of the BPI-R4 router board.
- [Highly Efficient & Reliable Network] The MediaTek MT7988A SoC is the world's leading network processing platform that delivers a high-performance and reliable network experience for wired and wireless applications. At the same time, the MT7988A is equipped with MediaTek's Tunnel Offload Processor System (TOPS), which easily handles a wide range of tunneling protocols, delivering premium-level offloading capabilities.
- [2x 10Gbe SFP & RJ45/4x 2.5Gbe RJ45 LAN] Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro wireless dual-band wifi router board support 1x 10G RJ45 WAN/LAN Port, 2x 10Gbe SFP and 4x 2.5Gbe ethernet with 4 Port 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 LAN Gigabit Ethernet port, also with USB3.2 and M.2 interface, support 4G LTE/5G cellular network module and M.2 2280 NVME SSD. Providing the fastest and most reliable network connection.
- [Support WiFi 7 iPA BE14 NIC Module] Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro 8X/4E wireless Tri-band router board onboard 2x miniPCIe slots with PCIe3.0 2lane interface for Wi-Fi 7 6E 6 NIC network card module. MediaTek MT7988A enables seamless Wi-Fi 7 tri-band, 2.4GHz (40MHz), 5GHz (160MHz) and 6GHz (320MHz) connectivity, with its Wi-Fi 7 companion chip that features 320-MHz bandwidth, 4096-QAM, MLO, MRU and AFC. PHY rate: up to 13700 Mbps/9500 Mbps. QoS: WFA WMM and WMM-PS.
- [Rich Peripheral interfaces] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless router board onboard 2x 10Gbe SFP Optical ports, 1x 10G RJ45 WAN, 1x 10G RJ45 LAN, 4x 2.5Gbe Gigabit LAN ports, 1x USB3.2 port, 3x Nano SIM Slots, 3x M.2 KEY-B connector for 5G/4G module, 2x M.2 KEY-M connector for M.2 2280 NVME SSD, 2x mini PCle slot for Wi-Fi NIC, 1x MicroSD Slot(TF), 1x Debug UART port, 1x 26 Pin GPIO header, supports UART, I2C, SPI, PWM, I2S.
How does the BPI-CM7 compare with Raspberry Pi CM5?
The CM5 is a useful published-specification comparison, not an assumed drop-in substitute. Both are listed at 55 × 40 mm in footprint, but the available specifications point to different platforms and I/O capabilities. Raspberry Pi lists CM5 dimensions of 55 × 40 × 4.7 mm and a Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4 GHz. The BPI-CM7’s reported CPU is a quad-core Cortex-A53. No benchmark evidence is available here to quantify their performance, so the processor specifications alone should not be turned into a performance ranking.
| Specification | Banana Pi BPI-CM7 | Raspberry Pi CM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor and graphics | Allwinner H618; quad Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-G31 GPU (reported by Notebookcheck) | Broadcom BCM2712; quad Cortex-A76 at 2.4 GHz |
| Memory | LPDDR4; reported 2 GB configuration (Notebookcheck) | LPDDR4-4267; 2, 4, 8 or 16 GB options |
| Storage | eMMC; reported 32 GB configuration (Notebookcheck) | eMMC options of 0, 16, 32 or 64 GB |
| Wireless | K019 module with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 (Banana Pi documentation) | Optional dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Wired networking | 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet (reported by Notebookcheck) | Gigabit Ethernet PHY |
| Interfaces and display | USB 2.0 routing, GPIO, UART and SPI; HDMI depends on the carrier board (reported by Notebookcheck) | PCIe Gen 2 x1, one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0 ports and dual HDMI 2.0 supporting up to 4Kp60 |
| Module dimensions | 55 × 40 mm (reported by Notebookcheck) | 55 × 40 × 4.7 mm (Raspberry Pi) |
| Listed price and production horizon | Price and concrete availability not announced in Notebookcheck’s October 8, 2026 report | Raspberry Pi lists a starting price of $67.50 and production through at least January 2036 on its current product page |
CM5 figures are from Raspberry Pi’s CM5 product page. Its $67.50 starting price is Raspberry Pi’s listed price, not a checked retailer quote, and may change. Raspberry Pi’s 2024 launch announcement listed a $45 starting price at launch; that is historical, not the current listed price (Raspberry Pi’s 2024 announcement).
Rank #2
- [MediaTek MT7988A CPU] Banana Pi BPI-R4 Router Board with MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core ARM Corex-A73 CPU design, 4GB DDR4 RAM 8GB eMMC and 128MB SPI-NAND flash onboard, works as 36Gbps Wi-Fi 7 access point/router/gateway. It is also a very high performance open source router development board.
- [High Performance Chips] The MediaTek MT7988A SoC is the world's leading network processing platform that delivers a high-performance and reliable network experience for wired and wireless applications. At the same time, the MT7988A is equipped with MediaTek's Tunnel Offload Processor System (TOPS), which easily handles a wide range of tunneling protocols.
- [Support 2x 10Gbe SFP/4x Gbe] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless dual-band wifi router board support 2x 10Gbe SFP and 4x Gbe ethernet with 4 Port 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet port, also with USB3.2 port and M.2 interface, support 4G/5G signal reception and NVME SSD.Providing the fastest and most reliable network connection.
- [Support WiFi7 iPA NIC Module] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless three-band router board onboard 2x miniPCIe slots with PCIe3.0 2lane interface for Wi-Fi 7 NIC (Network Interface Card). MediaTek MT7988A enables seamless Wi-Fi 7 tri-band, 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz connectivity, with its Wi-Fi 7 companion chip that features 320-MHz bandwidth, 4096-QAM, MLO, MRU and AFC.
- [Rich Peripheral interfaces] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless router board onboard 2x 10Gbe SFP Optical ports, 4x Gbe Gigabit LAN ports, 1x USB3.2 port, 3x Nano SIM Slot, 1x M.2 KEY-B connector for 5G, 1x M.2 KEY-M connector for 2280 NVME SSD, mPCle Slot for Wi-Fi NIC, 1x MicroSD Slot(TF), 1x Debug UART port, 1x 26 Pin GPIO, supports UART, I2C, SPI, PWM, I2S.
Is the BPI-CM7 compatible with Raspberry Pi Compute Module carrier boards?
No specific compatible carrier board is established in the available product information. A matching 55 × 40 mm footprint does not prove that connectors, pin assignments, power requirements, or signal routing are compatible. Do not assume a CM4 or CM5 carrier board will work: wait for Banana Pi to identify a supported board or publish compatibility details before buying one for the BPI-CM7.
What carrier board and software does the BPI-CM7 need?
To prototype with the module, you will need a carrier board that is explicitly designed or confirmed for it and that exposes the connections your project requires. No named compatible carrier board or confirmed operating-system support was established in the reported information. Before planning a build, look for documentation that specifies the board, power input, available interfaces, boot media and supported software; absent that, compatibility and setup remain unknown.
Rank #3
- High-resolution sensor: 13.2 megapixel HD camera module with OV13850 sensor for razor-sharp image quality and detailed shots
- SPECIAL FOR BPI-M7: Dedicated camera module, perfectly compatible with the Banana Pi BPI-M7 board for seamless integration and optimal performance
- FPC cable connection: includes flexible FPC ribbon cable for easy and reliable connection between camera module and motherboard
- Versatile applications: ideal for computer vision, surveillance projects, image processing, video recording and IoT developments
- Compact design: space-saving design with green circuit board and black lens allows flexible mounting in various projects
How much does the BPI-CM7 cost, and when can I buy it?
Banana Pi had not announced a price or concrete availability details in Notebookcheck’s October 8, 2026 coverage. The reported 2 GB/32 GB configuration is not evidence of a currently purchasable retail version. Until Banana Pi publishes retail information and compatible-board guidance, buyers cannot calculate the full cost of a working setup, which also requires a carrier board.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The BPI-R4-NIC-BE14 is a cutting-edge WiFi 7 module, meticulously engineered to provide state-of-the-art wireless connectivity with support for IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be standards. This compact 51x82mm module integrates seamlessly with the Banana Pi BPI-R4 Router development board, offering unparalleled performance and reliability for next-generation networking solutions.
- Powered by the MediaTek MT7995AV chipset, this WiFi module harnesses the potential of WiFi 7 technology, delivering high-speed connectivity with extended range and robust signal strength. It supports a 2.4GHz 2x2, 5GHz 3x3 3ss, and 6GHz 3x3 3ss BE13500 Wi-Fi subsystem, ensuring compatibility and efficiency across various frequency bands.
- The module features advanced Wi-Fi baseband algorithms that ensure superb wireless performance. Its intelligent MAC design includes a highly efficient offload engine and hardware data processing accelerators, which significantly reduce the Wi-Fi task load on the host processor, leading to improved overall system performance.
- Designed with a focus on international regulations and quality of service, the MT7995AV provides end users with reliable and cost-effective throughput. It supports standard-based features in security, ensuring that data transmission is protected and compliant with global standards.
- The BPI-R4-NIC-BE14 is specifically tailored for use with the Banana Pi BPI-R4 Router development board, leveraging the MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) design for seamless integration. This ensures that developers can easily implement the latest in WiFi technology into their projects without compromising on quality or functionality.
Rank #4
- [MediaTek MT7988A CPU] Banana Pi BPI-R4 Router Board with MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core ARM Corex-A73 CPU design, 4GB DDR4 RAM 8GB eMMC and 128MB SPI-NAND flash onboard, works as 36Gbps Wi-Fi 7 access point/router/gateway. It is also a very high performance open source router development board.
- [High Performance Chips] The MediaTek MT7988A SoC is the world's leading network processing platform that delivers a high-performance and reliable network experience for wired and wireless applications. At the same time, the MT7988A is equipped with MediaTek's Tunnel Offload Processor System (TOPS), which easily handles a wide range of tunneling protocols.
- [Support 2x 10Gbe SFP/4x Gbe] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless dual-band wifi router board support 2x 10Gbe SFP and 4x Gbe ethernet with 4 Port 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet port, also with USB3.2 port and M.2 interface, support 4G/5G signal reception and NVME SSD.Providing the fastest and most reliable network connection.
- [Support WiFi7 iPA NIC Module] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless three-band router board onboard 2x miniPCIe slots with PCIe3.0 2lane interface for Wi-Fi 7 NIC (Network Interface Card). MediaTek MT7988A enables seamless Wi-Fi 7 tri-band, 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz connectivity, with its Wi-Fi 7 companion chip that features 320-MHz bandwidth, 4096-QAM, MLO, MRU and AFC.
- [Rich Peripheral interfaces] Banana Pi BPI-R4 wireless router board onboard 2x 10Gbe SFP Optical ports, 4x Gbe Gigabit LAN ports, 1x USB3.2 port, 3x Nano SIM Slot, 1x M.2 KEY-B connector for 5G, 1x M.2 KEY-M connector for 2280 NVME SSD, mPCle Slot for Wi-Fi NIC, 1x MicroSD Slot(TF), 1x Debug UART port, 1x 26 Pin GPIO, supports UART, I2C, SPI, PWM, I2S.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
