Choosing the Right Processor for Smart Home Panels: RK3568 vs Other Platforms

1. RK3568: The All-Rounder for Smart Home Control Panels

CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55, up to 2.0GHz
GPU: Mali-G52 2EE, supports 4K video and advanced graphics
Memory: Up to 8GB LPDDR4/4X RAM support
I/O Interfaces: HDMI, LVDS, MIPI-DSI, eDP, multiple USB, Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe, SATA
Connectivity: Built-in support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and optional 4G/5G modules
Operating Systems: Android 11+, Ubuntu, Debian, Buildroot, Yocto

Why it’s ideal for smart home panels?
RK3568 offers a perfect balance of performance and power efficiency. It can run Android smoothly, handle complex UI (touch screens, 3D effects), support multiple protocols (RS485, KNX, Zigbee via modules), and remain stable for 24/7 operation.

2. RK3566: The Cost-Effective Sibling

CPU: Quad-core Cortex-A55, slightly lower clock speeds
GPU: Mali-G52 1EE (weaker graphics than RK3568)
Memory Support: Up to 4GB RAM
I/O Interfaces: Similar to RK3568 but reduced PCIe and SATA lanes

Use Case: RK3566 is more suitable for entry-level smart home panels (4–8 inch screens) where cost efficiency is important, but performance demand is moderate.

3. Allwinner A133 & A50 Series

CPU: Cortex-A53, usually quad-core
GPU: PowerVR GE8300 or Mali
Strengths: Low cost, widely adopted in tablets and entry-level devices.
Weakness: Limited performance, not ideal for multitasking or high-end UIs, less support for industrial protocols.

Use Case: Budget tablets or very low-cost control panels, but not professional-grade smart home hubs.

4. Why RK3568 is the Sweet Spot for Smart Homes

Compared to these alternatives:

Versus RK3566: More powerful GPU, higher RAM capacity, better for large displays (8–15 inches).
Versus RK3399: More modern, efficient, longer lifecycle, better Android/Linux support.
Versus Allwinner A133: Stronger performance, stability, and broader industrial ecosystem.

RK3568 is especially suitable for:

Smart home control panels (Android-based)
Building automation touch screens
IoT gateways with multiple interfaces (RS485, CAN, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee)
Commercial smart panels in hotels, offices, apartments

Portworld’s Advantage with RK3568

Portworld has adopted RK3568 and RK3566 across its smart home product line, including:

YC-SM55P / YC-SM08P / YC-SM10P wall-mounted Android smart panels
Custom industrial touch tablets
PCBA solutions for smart home OEM/ODM projects

With OEM/ODM customization, Portworld helps partners choose the right processor (RK3568 for high-performance, RK3566 for cost-sensitive projects) based on screen size, workload, and budget.