The History Of Orange Pi®
Orange Pi is a line of tiny, cheap computers . Shenzhen Xunlong Software
It was launched in China in 2014.. It was built to be a lower-cost alternative to the famous Raspberry Pi. Over the years, it grew from a single simple board into a huge family of devices.
1. The Early Years (2014–2017)
- The Launch: The first Orange Pi hit the market in late 2014. It used Allwinner chips.
- The Goal: Xunlong wanted to give makers and students a cheaper way to learn coding and build DIY electronics.
- Fast Growth: The company released over 30 different models in a few short years. Some popular early models included the Orange Pi One and the tiny Orange Pi Zero.
2. Upgrades and New Tools (2018–2022)
- Better Chips: Orange Pi started using faster, stronger microchips. These new boards could run AI (artificial intelligence) tools and stream high-quality video.
- New Forms: In 2022, they released the Orange Pi 800. This was a full computer built directly inside a keyboard.
- Their Own OS: They also launched their own software called Orange Pi OS. You could get it in versions similar to Android or Linux.
3. Powerhouse Era and Today (2023–2026)
- Mini Supercomputers: Recent boards like the Orange Pi 5 are known for being very fast. They use powerful 8-core processors. They act like small, low-cost desktop computers or video game consoles.
- AI and Beyond: Today, Orange Pi makes advanced AI boards. They also make laptops and computing tools for businesses.
| Model | Release Year | Processor | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Pi | 2014 | Allwinner A20 | First model; included VGA output. |
| Orange Pi PC | 2015 | Allwinner H3 | Popular low-cost board for media and retro gaming. |
| Orange Pi Zero | 2016 | Allwinner H2+ | Tiny, low-power form factor with Ethernet and Wi-Fi. |
| Orange Pi 3 / 3 LTS | 2019 | Allwinner H6 | Introduced gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports. |
| Orange Pi 800 | 2022 | Rockchip RK3399 | A complete computer built directly into a keyboard. |
| Orange Pi 5 / 5 Plus | 2022/2023 | Rockchip RK3588(S) | High-performance AI and media boards. |
| Orange Pi Zero 3 | 2023 | Allwinner H618 | Tiny size with up to 4K display output. |
| Orange Pi AIpro | 2024 | Ascend 310 Series | Powerful AI module for edge computing. |
| Orange Pi RV | 2024 | RISC-V Architecture | Cost-effective RISC-V alternative with AI support. |