🔍 ARM-based SBCs – NXP vs Rockchip for Industrial Android Applications

When building Android-based industrial HMI systems, selecting the right ARM single-board computer (SBC) is critical. Two popular SoC families stand out: NXP and Rockchip. Both offer powerful features but serve different needs when it comes to longevity, multimedia, and ecosystem support.

In this article, we’ll compare NXP and Rockchip SBCs from the perspective of industrial Android deployments.

⚙️ Industrial Use Cases for ARM SBCs

Whether you’re designing a wall-mounted HMI panel, an EV charger, or a medical touch terminal, these requirements often come up:

Reliable SoC with stable BSP support
Extended temperature tolerance
Android 11/12 or Linux compatibility
Display interface flexibility (RGB, LVDS, MIPI DSI, eDP)
OTA firmware updates and easy peripheral integration

🤖 Rockchip SBCs: Multimedia & Cost-Effective Android

Rockchip platforms such as RK3566, RK3568, and PX30 are known for:

Quad-core Cortex-A55/A72 CPUs
Android 11+ support with GPU acceleration
Built-in support for dual displays (HDMI + MIPI)
Support for NPU/AI edge workloads

These advantages make them ideal for smart retail terminals, edge IoT devices, and media-rich Android HMIs.

👉 For more about Rockchip SoCs and industrial SBCs, check out our detailed Rockchip vs NXP breakdown.

🧱 NXP SBCs: Stability and Long-Term Supply

NXP’s i.MX6, i.MX8M, and newer i.MX93 series offer:

Industrial certifications & automotive-grade variants
Secure Boot + TrustZone support
10+ years availability
Excellent mainline Linux and Yocto support

They're widely used in medical, automotive, and mission-critical HMI systems.

📌 Quick Decision Guide

Feature	Rockchip	NXP
Android UI support	✔ Excellent (4K, GPU)	➖ Basic
Cost-efficiency	✔ Very High	➖ Moderate
Long-term availability	➖ 5–7 years typical	✔ 10–15 years guaranteed
BSP customization	✔ Android/Linux open SDKs	✔ Yocto-based strong support
Certifications	➖ Limited	✔ Extensive

🚀 Final Thoughts

If you're building Android-based SBC systems for retail, HMI, or IoT, Rockchip offers unbeatable value and flexibility. NXP remains the go-to for safety-critical and regulated industries.

📘 Resources

Browse Android/Linux SBC display configs
Visit kevin109.github.io for DTS and integration examples
Link hub: bio.link/rocktech1

Explore more insights and technical articles at android-sbc.com.

ARM-based SBCs – NXP vs Rockchip for Industrial Android Applications