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The Banana Pi BPI-WiFi6 Mini is a tiny computer board designed for use as a DIY wireless router with support for open source software. It features the same processor and wireless chip found in the larger BPI-WiFi6 router that launched earlier this year. But, as the name suggests, the new "mini" model packs those components into a smaller package that measures just 65 x 65mm (about 2.56″ x 2.56″).

There are some trade-offs: the smaller model isn't as useful as a wired router since it has just two Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and one LAN). But the smaller model has one extra trick up its sleeve: it features an M.2 B-Key slot and nano SIM card reader for use with an optional 4G LTE or 5G NR cellular modem (sold separately). The BPI-WiFi6 is available from AliExpress for about $30 + shipping.

The BPI-WiFi6 Mini features a 1.2 GHz Triductor TR6560 ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core processor and a TR5220 chip with support for WiFi 6.  It has 128MB of DDR3 memory, 128MB of SPI NAND flash storage, a USB 3.0 Type-C port for power, a USB 3.0 Type-A port for data, and interfaces for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz antennas, an optional fan, and a UART interface for debugging.

Banana Pi has confirmed that the board is compatible with a Quectecl RM500U 5G module, but it's possible that other 4G or 5G modules could work as well.

Folks looking for something a bit more powerful and versatile in the same form-factor might want to consider the BPI-R3 Mini, which has two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, two M.2 connectors, and a faster processor, and far more memory and storage. But that little router board currently sells for $75, making it more than twice the price of the newer BPI-WiFi6.

Since the two boards are the same size and shape though, Banana Pi says cases made for one should work with the other.

via Banana Pi Forum

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