NanoPi, the Nano version of the small Lampone computer looks a lot like the RaspberryPi 0, even the latter with small dimensions. Size aside, these two microcomputers have very different characteristics, let’s see them in this comparison, so you can choose the best solution for our Nerd projects. The table below lists the specifications in detail:
| NanoPi | Raspberry Pi 0 | |
 |
 |
|
| SOC | RockChip RK3328, Quad-core 64-bit 1,2 Ghz Cortex A53 – GPU Mali-450MP4 | Broadcom BCM2835 ARM11 Single-core 1GHz – GPU VideoCore IV |
| RAM |
da 512Mb a 2 Gb | 512 Mb |
| Connectivity | 10/100/1000M Ethernet | 2.4GHz 802.11n wireless LAN – Bluetooth 4.1 LE |
| Port | 1 x USB3.0 Type A – 1 x Micro USB – 2 x USB2.0 su pin header da 2,54mm – Ethernet RTL8211E – Slot MicroSD for OS boot | 2 x MicroUSB 2.0 – Mini HDMI – Slot MicroSD for OS boot |
| Power supply | 5V/1A, USB o GPIO | 5V/0,23A, USB |
| Dimension |
40 x 40 mm – 90g | 70×50 mm – 99.8g |
| Price |
€ 29,90 (basic version) | € 23,19 |
Considering only performance, the NanoPi wins easy, with its Quad-core CPU practically asphalts the poor Pi 0, we are not talking about the versions with 1Gb and 2Gb memory cuts against only 512Mb of the Pi 0. We can compare the performance of the Nano Pi to a Raspberry Pi 3. The strength of the Raspberry Pi 0 is on the connectivity front, the Nano has only the ethernet port, while the Pi 0, despite not having Lan connectivity (at least not with the RTL8211E Ethernet port), has the 2.4GHz wireless module and Bluetooth. Another point in favor of pi 0 is consumption, at full load we are around 0.3A. Less consumption, less heat to dissipate. The Nano pi under stress, on the other hand, requires cooling in order not to sacrifice performance.
Final conclusions, Pi0 wins
Given the features and the price, the Pi 0 wins, if you need performance, you should take a Raspberry Pi3 or even 4, on amazon you can find it by spending only € 10 more, or about € 38, but you have the advantage of wifi, more USB ports and even HDMI, moreover you are basically 1Gb of RAM against 512Mb of the nano.
The only use I see for the NanoPi is to create a Nas from compact size or a small web server. For hacking RaspberryPi0 is simply the best!