La Orange Pi 6 Plus It bursts onto the single-board computer ecosystem as a proposition that's closer to a mini PC than a traditional SBC. Manufactured by the Chinese group Shenzhen Xunlong, it's shaping up to be one of the most serious alternatives to the Raspberry Pi for those seeking raw power, abundant connectivity, and the ability to run AI workloads locally without breaking a sweat, similar to Orange Pi AI Studio Pro.
This model breaks with the trend of the brand's basic range by opting for a larger, more powerful format with a clear focus on high performance applicationsWe're talking about a 115 x 100 mm motherboard that integrates a 12-core Arm SoC, a next-generation GPU, and an NPU with dozens of TOPS, in addition to up to 64 GB of LPDDR5 memory and dual M.2 2280 slots for NVMe SSDs. All of this puts it in a different league, closer to compact desktop PCs like Orange Pi 5 Ultra than to low-power SBCs.
A larger plate for a more ambitious project
The change in focus is noticeable at first glance: with 115 x 100 mmThe Orange Pi 6 Plus is bulkier than the average for its segment. This extra surface area translates into more ports, better ventilation, greater memory capacity, and space for multiple M.2 slots—a rare combination for credit card-sized boards.
The idea is clear: the manufacturer has prioritized the versatility of use and sustained power, with clear nods to desktop setups, lightweight AI workstations, home servers, and industrial automation environments, rather than being limited to simple maker projects, similar to Orange Pi 5 Pro.
Processor, GPU and NPU: 12 Arm cores and AI acceleration
At the heart of the Orange Pi 6 Plus beats the SoC CIX CD8180/CD8160It features a 64-bit Arm chip with a total of 12 CPU cores organized into three clusters: four Cortex-A720 cores up to 2,8 GHz, four Cortex-A720 cores up to 2,4 GHz, and four Cortex-A520 cores at 1,8 GHz. This heterogeneous arrangement aims to balance performance and efficiency depending on the workload, allowing switching between high-performance threads and light tasks without wasting energy.
The graphics also take a significant leap forward with the GPU. Arm Immortalis-G720 MC10It's designed to accelerate 3D desktop interfaces, design applications, and games, thanks to a modern graphics engine and acceleration algorithms. This opens the door to realistic use as a mini PC, with added benefits when pushing graphics or running demanding graphical desktops.
Artificial intelligence is another of its strengths. Depending on the source, the following are mentioned: 30 TOPS for the NPU and up 45 TOPS of total computing Combining CPU + NPU + GPU. This figure puts it in a competitive range with some modern x86 solutions in terms of edge AI, and allows for projects such as real-time video analysis, vision model inference, audio or NLP, or multiple compressed LLM instances running locally.
It's worth noting that different product materials report different TOPS values, which is relatively common in the industry due to measurement differences, firmware versions, or the addition of acceleration. multiple SoC blocksIn practice, the leap in capacity compared to typical SBCs is very evident, and this translates into use cases previously reserved for PCs.
High-quality memory: up to 64 GB LPDDR5-5500
Memory is another of the device's great strengths. The Orange Pi 6 Plus supports up to 64 GB of LPDDR5-5500 With a 128-bit bus, well above the norm for this type of motherboard. Versions are planned for 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB, with the memory soldered and distributed across four chips (4 x 4 GB, 4 x 8 GB, 4 x 16 GB depending on the configuration), which contributes to the bandwidth and overall stability.
This capability is key for AI tasks, lightweight virtualization, containers, full desktops, or complex builds, where having Ample RAM It makes the difference between being just barely adequate and having plenty of room to spare. Ultimately, it's a component that propels the Orange Pi 6 Plus towards professional and semi-workstation applications.
Storage: Dual M.2 2280 NVMe and more
For storage, the board offers two slots M.2 2280 M-Key Compatible with NVMe SSDs, which is exceptional for an SBC. This allows for configurations ranging from a single high-capacity SSD to dual-drive setups to separate the operating system and data, or to combine speed and durability as needed.
It also includes a slot M.2 2230 E-Key dedicated to wireless modules, so a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card can be added without occupying USB ports. A reader is also included. microSD/TF and SPI Flash support, which expands boot, recovery, and lightweight storage options for firmware.
Connectivity and expansion: ports for everything
The increased size allows for truly generous connectivity. The Orange Pi 6 Plus incorporates two USB 3.0 Type-C ports It features support for data, video, and power; two additional USB 3.0 Type-A ports; and two USB 2.0 Type-A ports for less demanding peripherals. This allows multiple devices to be connected without the need for an external hub.
In the video, the plate adds DisplayPort 1.4HDMI 1.4 and eDP (Embedded DisplayPort) are included, making it possible to work with more than one screen or choose the most suitable interface depending on the monitor or integrated panel. This versatility is especially useful for workstations, kiosks, digital signage, or industrial projects with embedded panels.
The network section has a peculiarity: there are references to Dual Ethernet With bandwidth up to 5 Gbps per port, while other specifications mention two Gigabit ports. In any case, the focus is clear: dual high-performance wired connectivity for load balancing, aggregation, or network separation.
The interface list is completed with features designed for integrators: 3,5 mm audio input, two stereo speaker connectors, a header for 40 GPIO pins (UART, I2C, SPI, PWM), touch interface, dual 4-lane MIPI-CSI for cameras, fan connector, RTC and battery, plus an extra 9-pin USB 2.0 header and three status LEDs.
- 2 x USB 3.0 Type C (data, video and power)
- 2 x USB 3.0 Type A + 2 x USB 2.0 Type A
- DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 1.4 and eDP
- 2 x Ethernet (documentation mentions up to 5 Gbps per port)
- 3,5mm audio input + 2 speaker connectors
- microSD/TF card reader and SPI Flash support
- 2 x M.2 2280 M-Key (PCIe for NVMe)
- 1 x M.2 2230 E-Key (for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth)
- Dual 4-lane MIPI-CSI interface and touch connector
- 40-pin GPIO (UART, I2C, SPI, PWM), 9-pin USB 2.0 header, fan connector, RTC and battery
Fuel consumption and feeding: prepared for heavy loads
Power comes at a price in energy consumption. This board is designed to work with a power supply of USB-C power supply up to 100WThis suggests it can handle heavy loads while simultaneously powering peripherals and displays through its ports. It's not your typical low-wattage SBC: this is closer to mini PC territory.
This power margin, when properly managed, provides a significant buffer for scenarios with multiple NVMe SSDs, multiple active USB ports, high-speed networks, and combined CPU, GPU, and NPU usage. In enclosed systems or environments with high ambient temperatures, it makes perfect sense to plan accordingly. active cooling to avoid performance losses due to thermal issues.
Operating systems: Linux, Android, and Windows options
Regarding software, the manufacturer announces compatibility with GNU/Linux distributions such as Debian and UbuntuIn addition to Android, we cover everything from server and development environments to multimedia interfaces and mobile apps adapted for desktop.
Compatibility is also indicated with WindowsThis is expected to be in its IoT variant for ARM, given that the traditional desktop version has been limited by licensing agreements with Qualcomm on Arm devices. In any case, there are signs that this scenario could open up, which would broaden the range of uses for those who rely on Windows software on Arm architecture, as the model shows. Orange Pi Win Plus.
As an open-source motherboard, the project offers a solid foundation for developers who need to document, tweak kernels, compile drivers, or integrate specific accelerations. This vocation open source It multiplies the possibilities for personalization and adoption in professional niches.
Real-world performance and use cases
On paper, the combination of 12 cores, a modern GPU, and an NPU with dozens of TOPS allows for tasks that previously required a full-fledged PC: lightweight workstations for AI developmentLocal inference of vision models, edge computing with multiple containers, home servers with simultaneous services, or office workstations with multiple screens.
The brand explicitly mentions uses such as smart offices, edge computing, smart security, industrial automation, retail, home servers, AI workstations, and high-performance personal computing. Specific examples are also cited of video analysis of live cameras, such as early fire detection in remote locations without relying on the cloud.
If you work with graphics, the Immortalis-G720 MC10's support and the presence of DisplayPort/eDP simplify connecting high resolution panels or integrated, and allow running desktop 3D applications, industrial design or scientific visualization with a margin that conventional SBCs usually fall short of.
For makers and integrators, the abundance of GPIO, MIPI-CSI for two cameras, touch interface, and multiple USB ports open up a huge range of possibilities: from interactive kiosks to vision-enabled robots, and more. HMI panels in control environments and commercial product prototypes.
Comparison with other boards and product guidance
Compared to popular SBCs, the Orange Pi 6 Plus is in a different league. Not only because of its CPU and NPU, but also because of its memory (up to 64 GB LPDDR5), the dual M.2 2280 NVMe drives, and duplicate network connectivity. In practice, it's closer to a modern NUC or Arm mini-ITX boards with lightweight workstation aspirations.
It has been noted that the Raspberry Pi 5 alternative is around 4,5 x 3,9 inchesThe Orange Pi 6 Plus measures 115 x 100 mm, while the Orange Pi 6 Plus measures 115 x 100 mm. Beyond the dimensions, the key point is that this Orange Pi model doesn't compete on ultra-low price or minimal power consumption; its focus is on performance and expandability, with a correspondingly low energy and economic cost.
To place it in the market, it might be helpful to refer to the Radxa Orion O6 mini-ITX, which uses the same CIX CD8180/CD8160 chipset with AI scores around 28,8 TOPS according to that manufacturer. Meanwhile, Orange Pi speaks of up to 45 combined TOPSThis data reinforces the idea that we are dealing with an Arm platform with aspirations of being a high-performance mini PC.
Ports and details that make the difference
Beyond the main specifications, there are small design decisions that greatly enhance the overall integration: the 9-pin USB 2.0 header for expanding internal ports, the fan connector, the presence of an RTC and battery, and the three status LEDs for quick diagnostics. These are elements that facilitate deployment in custom boxes or in embedded environments.
Support for two cameras via MIPI-CSI, each with 4 lanes, fits perfectly into computer vision solutions where parallel capture, stereoscopy, or combining a context camera with a specialized one is required. The touch interface and eDP simplify integration with professional screens or industrial panels without resorting to adapters.
Price and availability: what we know
At the time these specifications were published, Orange Pi has not confirmed The price of the Raspberry Pi 6 Plus is still unknown. The product page is active, and it is expected to be sold through usual channels like Amazon and AliExpress. It is expected to cost more than a Raspberry Pi 5, in line with its ambition and hardware.
For market reference, the aforementioned Radxa Orion O6 mini-ITX motherboard (same chipset) has an official price of around $227, and can be found for sale at prices exceeding the $ 460It's not a direct translation to the Orange Pi 6 Plus's RRP, but it does give an indication of the target segment and expectations.
For those who wish to delve deeper into practical analysis, there is additional material available online, such as a extensive review published by third parties, for example in This technical reviewThese types of resources help to assess real performance, compatibility, and thermal behavior with different heat sinks.
Community support and development
The open-board philosophy, documentation, and support for popular Linux distributions make the ecosystem familiar to developers and administrators. From a software perspective, having AI accelerations Well-integrated video/camera pipelines with mature drivers will be key to getting the most out of the hardware.
For businesses and advanced makers, having forums, repositories, and clear guides is just as important as the TOPS score. Adding ports, RAM, and M.2 slots is fantastic, but the crucial factor will be being able to run containers, frameworks (like ONNX Runtime, TensorRT—or equivalents depending on support—or Arm accelerators), and multimedia batteries frictionless.
Who is the Orange Pi 6 Plus for?
If you're coming from an entry-level SBC and need to build a usable desktop environment with multiple applications, containers, IDEs, and browsers running simultaneously, this board is a perfect fit. Also, if you're looking for edge computing with real-time model inference, edge analytics, and fast NVMe storage for lightweight databases or caches.
In professional fields, it excels in automation, machine vision, interactive kiosks, signage and industrial controlwhere the combination of eDP, touch, GPIO, dual network and M.2 for SSD and Wi-Fi/BT reduces dependence on external accessories and simplifies final product integration.
The Orange Pi 6 Plus combines a 12-core Arm SoC with a modern GPU and powerful NPU, LPDDR5 memory up to 64 GBIt features dual M.2 2280 NVMe drives, an M.2 slot for wireless connectivity, a wide array of ports (including DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 1.4, and eDP), dual high-performance Ethernet, and support for Linux, Android, and Windows IoT options. This combination places it closer to a mini PC than a typical single-board computer (SBC), with the corresponding increase in power consumption (up to 100W USB-C power supply) and, presumably, price, but with the reward of performance and expandability worthy of larger machines.
