RK3566 vs RK3568 for Smart Home Control Panels: Which One is More Suitable?

When selecting a processor for smart home control panels, performance, power efficiency, and compatibility with embedded systems are key considerations. Rockchip’s RK3566 and RK3568 are two popular options used in Portworld’s range of smart home panels and embedded PCBA solutions. Here is a detailed comparison from the perspective of smart home applications and PCBA design.

1. Basic Specifications Comparison

Feature	RK3566	RK3568
CPU Architecture	Quad-core Cortex-A55	Quad-core Cortex-A55 + optional Cortex-A76 (higher performance)
GPU	Mali-G52	Mali-G52 / G610 (depending on model)
Maximum Memory	LPDDR4 / LPDDR4x	LPDDR4 / LPDDR4x / LPDDR5
Video Codec	H.264 / H.265	H.264 / H.265, supports 4K@60fps high bitrate
Industrial Design	Supported	Supported, higher frequency options available

Summary: RK3568 offers higher CPU/GPU performance, more memory options, and better 4K video processing capability compared to RK3566.

2. Smart Home Application Considerations

Home Automation Tasks

RK3566: Adequate for running Home Assistant, controlling lighting, curtains, HVAC, door locks, and other smart devices. Supports multiple protocols such as RS485, Zigbee, and KNX. Suitable for typical UI resolutions below 1080p.
RK3568: Better suited for high-resolution displays, multi-tasking, complex UI animations, and 4K video playback. Ideal for advanced smart home panels and digital signage.

Display Panel Compatibility

RK3566: Recommended for 4–10 inch small to mid-size panels, offering smooth UI performance at a lower cost.
RK3568: Ideal for 10–14 inch or larger panels, handling higher resolution interfaces and more complex tasks.

Power Consumption & Cost

RK3566: Lower power consumption and cost, suitable for mass-market, cost-sensitive smart home panels.
RK3568: Slightly higher power consumption and cost, but provides high performance for demanding applications.

3. PCBA Design Considerations

Layout & Size

RK3566 PCB: Compact and space-efficient, perfect for 86-type wall-mounted panels or small embedded devices.
RK3568 PCB: Slightly larger, may require enhanced heat dissipation for medium to large screens.

Interfaces & Expansion

RK3566: Standard interfaces such as LVDS/eDP, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB are sufficient for most smart home control needs.
RK3568: Supports higher memory frequency, more interfaces, and better expansion for industrial or high-performance applications.

Customization / OEM Options

Both processors support OEM/ODM customization, but RK3568 is better suited for high-performance panels requiring multi-screen display, 4K video decoding, or complex UI applications.

4. Portworld Products Using RK3566 and RK3568

RK3566 Series Products

SM41P
SM41PM
SM55P
SM08P
SM08M
YC-83P
SM10P
YC-SM10PM

RK3568 Series Products

YC-1011
YC-SM1011
YC-SM116P
YC-SM14P

These products cover full panel sizes from 4-inch to 14-inch, support PoE, RS485, Zigbee, KNX, and other smart home protocols. Portworld also provides OEM/ODM customization, including hardware design, system interface customization, functional modules, and SDK support.

5. Recommendations

Choose RK3566 if:
You need 4–10 inch smart home control panels
Typical home automation tasks (lighting, curtains, HVAC, security)
Cost-sensitive projects
Standard UI and display resolution requirements
Choose RK3568 if:
You require 10–14 inch or larger panels
High-performance UI, 4K video, multi-tasking applications
Industrial or commercial smart home projects requiring higher processing power and expandability

For everyday smart home panels, RK3566 offers a cost-effective, stable solution. For high-end control panels, multimedia applications, or industrial embedded systems, RK3568 provides the extra performance and flexibility needed.