Odroid N2(+)

Odroid N2(+)
Brand: ODROID
CPU: Amlogic S922X 2.0 2400 MHz | 6 Cores | ARMv8
RAM: 4096 MB DDR4
Ethernet Interfaces Qty: 1
Gigabit Ethernet: Yes
USB Ports Qty: 4
USB 3.0: Yes
Wi-Fi+BT: No
Wi-Fi 6: No
NVMe Port: No

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The ODROID-N2 is a high-performance ARM single-board computer developed by Hardkernel and built around the Amlogic S922X processor. It combines four ARM Cortex-A73 cores with two Cortex-A53 cores, a Mali-G52 GPU, DDR4 memory, Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0, eMMC and microSD storage support, and a 40-pin GPIO header.

The ODROID-N2 was offered in 2GB and 4GB DDR4 configurations. Hardkernel has since discontinued the original ODROID-N2 and replaced it with the ODROID-N2+, so this page should be treated as a product reference rather than a current purchasing page.

ODROID-N2 Specifications

SpecificationODROID-N2
SoCAmlogic S922X
CPU6-core ARM
CPU architecture4 × Cortex-A73 + 2 × Cortex-A53
Cortex-A73Up to 1.8GHz
Cortex-A53Up to 1.9GHz
GPUARM Mali-G52
GPU clockUp to 846MHz
RAM2GB or 4GB DDR4
Memory bus32-bit
EthernetGigabit Ethernet
Ethernet controllerRealtek RTL8211F
StorageeMMC, microSD
SPI Flash8MB
HDMIHDMI 2.0
Maximum display outputUp to 4K at 60Hz
USB4 × USB 3.0 + 1 × Micro USB 2.0 OTG
GPIO40-pin
Audio3.5mm stereo audio
VideoHDMI + composite
RTCYes
IR receiverYes
CoolingLarge passive heatsink
PowerDC input
DimensionsApproximately 90 × 90mm board
Product statusDiscontinued

The specifications above are based primarily on Hardkernel’s original ODROID-N2 documentation.


Amlogic S922X Processor

The ODROID-N2 uses the Amlogic S922X, a 12nm ARM processor with a big.LITTLE configuration.

The processor contains:

  • 4 × ARM Cortex-A73 cores
  • 2 × ARM Cortex-A53 cores
  • ARMv8-A architecture
  • ARM Neon extensions
  • Hardware cryptographic extensions

The Cortex-A73 cores provide the higher-performance processing capacity, while the Cortex-A53 cores are designed for lighter workloads.

Hardkernel originally specified the Cortex-A73 cores at up to 1.8GHz and the Cortex-A53 cores at up to 1.9GHz on the ODROID-N2.

This processor configuration makes the ODROID-N2 suitable for applications such as:

  • Linux servers
  • Home servers
  • Media centers
  • Development
  • Docker
  • Networking
  • Retro gaming
  • Embedded projects

Mali-G52 GPU

The S922X integrates an ARM Mali-G52 GPU.

On the ODROID-N2, the GPU can operate at up to approximately 846MHz according to Hardkernel’s original specifications.

The GPU provides hardware acceleration for supported graphics and multimedia applications.

Possible applications include:

  • Linux desktop environments
  • Media centers
  • 3D applications
  • Retro gaming
  • Video playback
  • Embedded graphics

Software support varies depending on the operating system and graphics stack being used.


2GB and 4GB DDR4 Memory

The ODROID-N2 was available with two memory configurations:

ModelRAM
ODROID-N22GB DDR4
ODROID-N24GB DDR4

The DDR4 memory operates at 1320MHz according to Hardkernel’s original product documentation.

The 4GB version provides additional memory for applications that need more RAM, including:

  • Docker containers
  • Web servers
  • Databases
  • Desktop applications
  • Development environments
  • Media applications

Gigabit Ethernet

The ODROID-N2 includes Gigabit Ethernet through an RJ45 port.

The Ethernet interface uses a Realtek RTL8211F Ethernet transceiver and supports:

  • 10Mbps
  • 100Mbps
  • 1000Mbps

The Gigabit connection makes the board suitable for network-intensive applications such as:

  • Home servers
  • File servers
  • NAS projects
  • Media servers
  • Docker hosts
  • Network services

Hardkernel’s testing reported network throughput close to 1Gbps.


USB 3.0

The ODROID-N2 includes four USB 3.0 host ports.

These ports can connect peripherals such as:

  • USB storage
  • Keyboards
  • Mice
  • Game controllers
  • Cameras
  • USB adapters
  • External hard drives

The four USB ports share a single USB root hub, so bandwidth can be shared when multiple USB devices are transferring data simultaneously.

Hardkernel measured approximately 340MB/s with a USB 3.0 UAS-capable SSD in its testing.


Micro USB 2.0 OTG

In addition to the four USB 3.0 host ports, the ODROID-N2 provides a Micro USB 2.0 OTG port.

The OTG interface can operate in host or device mode.

It can be useful for:

  • USB device connections
  • Development
  • Debugging
  • Embedded applications

The Micro USB port is not intended as the main power input.


eMMC Storage

The ODROID-N2 includes an eMMC module connector for removable eMMC storage.

Compatible eMMC modules were available in capacities including:

  • 8GB
  • 16GB
  • 32GB
  • 64GB
  • 128GB
  • 256GB

eMMC can provide faster storage performance than a typical microSD card and is suitable for operating-system installations and applications that require more consistent storage performance.


microSD Storage

The ODROID-N2 also includes a microSD card slot.

The board supports microSD cards up to UHS-I SDR104 modes.

A microSD card can be used for:

  • Linux installations
  • Testing operating systems
  • Development
  • Media-center software
  • Recovery environments

Hardkernel’s testing reported sequential microSD performance exceeding 70MB/s read and 55MB/s write under suitable conditions.


8MB SPI Flash

The ODROID-N2 includes 8MB of onboard SPI flash.

The SPI memory can contain boot components including:

  • Bootstrap binaries
  • U-Boot
  • A minimal Linux kernel
  • Petitboot

Petitboot provides a boot-management interface that can allow the system to select the appropriate boot media.

This provides additional flexibility when booting from eMMC or microSD storage.


HDMI 2.0

The ODROID-N2 provides an HDMI 2.0 output supporting resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz, including HDR support.

The HDMI interface also supports:

  • CEC
  • EDID

This makes the ODROID-N2 suitable for:

  • Media centers
  • Linux desktops
  • Digital signage
  • Video playback
  • Retro gaming systems

Composite Video

The ODROID-N2 includes composite video through its 3.5mm AV interface.

This can be useful with older displays and certain embedded or retro-gaming projects.

The same connector provides stereo analog audio output.


Audio

The ODROID-N2 includes an integrated high-quality stereo audio DAC.

Hardkernel specifies:

  • Up to 384kHz sampling
  • 32-bit audio
  • Stereo output
  • Approximately 100dB dynamic range
  • Less than 0.006% THD

The board provides a 3.5mm stereo audio output and also supports digital audio through HDMI.

This makes the ODROID-N2 useful for:

  • Media centers
  • Music servers
  • Audio projects
  • Home theater systems

40-Pin GPIO Header

The ODROID-N2 provides a 40-pin GPIO expansion header.

The interface includes:

  • GPIO
  • SPI
  • UART
  • I²C
  • ADC

The GPIO interface operates at 3.3V, while the ADC inputs have a maximum voltage of 1.8V.

The header can be used with:

  • Sensors
  • LEDs
  • Displays
  • Relays
  • Buttons
  • Robotics hardware
  • Automation projects

The pin layout should be checked before connecting accessories designed for other SBC platforms.


Real-Time Clock

The ODROID-N2 includes an onboard RTC (real-time clock).

The RTC uses an NXP PCF8563 component and can be connected to a backup CR2032 battery.

The RTC can maintain the date and time while the main power supply is disconnected and can also be used for scheduled wake-up operations.

This is useful for:

  • Servers
  • Automation
  • Embedded systems
  • Scheduled operation
  • Data logging

IR Receiver

An integrated infrared receiver allows the ODROID-N2 to receive signals from compatible infrared remote controls.

This is particularly useful for:

  • Media centers
  • Home theater systems
  • Kodi
  • Remote-controlled applications

Passive Cooling

The ODROID-N2 uses a large metal passive heatsink as part of its thermal design.

The processor is located on the underside of the PCB, allowing the heatsink structure to transfer heat away from the SoC and memory.

Hardkernel designed the heatsink to reduce thermal throttling during sustained workloads.

An optional active cooling fan connector is also available for applications that require additional cooling.


Power

The ODROID-N2 uses a DC barrel-jack power input.

The original specification supports an input range of approximately 7.5V to 18V, with Hardkernel recommending a 12V/2A power adapter.

Power consumption is relatively low for the hardware.

Hardkernel measured approximately:

  • Idle: 1.6–1.8W
  • Heavy CPU load: approximately 5.2–5.3W

These measurements were made under the testing conditions specified by Hardkernel.


ODROID-N2 Dimensions

The ODROID-N2 uses a square board design measuring approximately 90 × 90mm.

Its large metal heatsink increases the overall physical footprint and height compared with the bare PCB.

The combination of the board and passive heatsink was designed for stable operation without requiring a fan for typical workloads.


ODROID-N2 for Docker

The ODROID-N2 can be used as a compact ARM server for Docker workloads.

The 4GB version provides enough memory for a variety of lightweight and medium-sized container deployments.

Potential applications include:

  • Web servers
  • Reverse proxies
  • Databases
  • Home automation
  • Monitoring
  • DNS services
  • File-sharing applications
  • Self-hosted applications

The 4GB model is particularly useful when several containers need to run simultaneously.


ODROID-N2 as a Home Server

The combination of Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, eMMC and microSD storage makes the ODROID-N2 suitable for home-server applications.

It can be used for:

  • File servers
  • Media servers
  • Docker
  • Web servers
  • Home automation
  • Network services
  • Backup servers

External USB storage can be connected through the four USB 3.0 ports.


ODROID-N2 as a Media Center

The ODROID-N2’s HDMI 2.0 output, hardware video capabilities, audio DAC and IR receiver make it suitable for media-center applications.

The board has been used with software such as CoreELEC and Android-based media applications.

Potential applications include:

  • Kodi
  • Home theater
  • 4K video playback
  • Music playback
  • Digital signage
  • Retro gaming

ODROID-N2 for Retro Gaming

The combination of the S922X processor and Mali-G52 GPU gives the ODROID-N2 enough performance for a range of retro-gaming applications.

Possible uses include:

  • Classic console emulation
  • Arcade emulation
  • Retro gaming distributions
  • Android gaming

The actual emulator performance depends on the operating system, emulator and individual game.


ODROID-N2 for Development

The ODROID-N2 provides several interfaces for hardware and software development.

Developers can use:

  • Linux
  • Android
  • GPIO
  • SPI
  • I²C
  • UART
  • ADC
  • USB
  • HDMI

This makes it useful for:

  • Embedded development
  • IoT projects
  • Robotics
  • Automation
  • Linux development
  • Hardware prototyping

Operating Systems

The original ODROID-N2 was supported by Linux distributions and Android.

Hardkernel provided Ubuntu images and an Android 9 Pie platform for the board. The original documentation references Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and Android 9, while community projects such as Armbian have also provided support for the ODROID-N2.

Because the original N2 is an older, discontinued board, users should verify the current software status before selecting it for a new project.


ODROID-N2 vs ODROID-N2+

The ODROID-N2 and ODROID-N2+ are closely related but are not identical.

The N2+ is a revision of the original N2 with higher CPU frequencies and other hardware changes. Hardkernel specifies up to 2.4GHz for the Cortex-A73 cores and up to 2.0GHz for the Cortex-A53 cores on the N2+.

FeatureODROID-N2ODROID-N2+
SoCAmlogic S922XAmlogic S922X
Big coresCortex-A73Cortex-A73
Small coresCortex-A53Cortex-A53
A73 maximum1.8GHzUp to 2.4GHz
A53 maximum1.9GHzUp to 2.0GHz
RAM2GB / 4GB DDR42GB / 4GB DDR4
GPUMali-G52Mali-G52
EthernetGigabitGigabit
USB4 × USB 3.04 × USB 3.0
HDMIHDMI 2.0HDMI 2.0
GPIO40-pin40-pin
StorageeMMC / microSDeMMC / microSD
StatusDiscontinuedLater revision

The N2+ also introduced a built-in RTC backup battery holder and revised thermal design.


ODROID-N2 Product Status

The original ODROID-N2 is discontinued.

Hardkernel’s current product page identifies both the 2GB and 4GB ODROID-N2 models as obsolete and directs users toward the ODROID-N2+ 2GB and 4GB models instead.

This is important to include on the product page because users arriving through search engines may otherwise assume that the original N2 is still a current product.

The page can still be valuable as a reference for existing owners, used-board buyers and users researching the ODROID-N2 platform.


ODROID-N2 Product Summary

FeatureDetails
ProductODROID-N2
ManufacturerHardkernel
SoCAmlogic S922X
CPU4 × Cortex-A73 + 2 × Cortex-A53
GPUMali-G52
RAM2GB / 4GB DDR4
EthernetGigabit
StorageeMMC / microSD
SPI Flash8MB
HDMIHDMI 2.0
Maximum display4K@60Hz
USB4 × USB 3.0 + Micro USB 2.0 OTG
GPIO40-pin
Audio3.5mm stereo + HDMI
RTCYes
IRYes
CoolingPassive heatsink
PowerDC barrel jack
Primary usesServer, media center, development, retro gaming, embedded projects
Current statusDiscontinued

Frequently Asked Questions

What processor does the ODROID-N2 use?

The ODROID-N2 uses the Amlogic S922X, with four Cortex-A73 cores and two Cortex-A53 cores.

How much RAM does the ODROID-N2 have?

The original ODROID-N2 was available with 2GB or 4GB of DDR4 RAM.

Does the ODROID-N2 have Gigabit Ethernet?

Yes. It includes a Gigabit Ethernet port using a Realtek RTL8211F Ethernet transceiver.

Does the ODROID-N2 support NVMe?

The original ODROID-N2 does not have a dedicated onboard M.2 NVMe slot. Its primary onboard storage options are eMMC and microSD.

Does the ODROID-N2 have USB 3.0?

Yes. It has four USB 3.0 host ports.

Does the ODROID-N2 support 4K?

Yes. Its HDMI 2.0 output supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz.

Does the ODROID-N2 have Wi-Fi?

There is no integrated Wi-Fi on the original ODROID-N2. Wireless networking can be added using a compatible USB Wi-Fi adapter.

Does the ODROID-N2 have Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is not integrated into the original board. A compatible USB adapter can be used when Bluetooth connectivity is required.

Does the ODROID-N2 have GPIO?

Yes. It includes a 40-pin GPIO header supporting interfaces including GPIO, SPI, UART, I²C and ADC.

Can the ODROID-N2 run Docker?

Yes. The ARM64 platform can be used for Docker workloads, provided compatible ARM images are available.

Is the ODROID-N2 still available?

No. Hardkernel lists the original ODROID-N2 as discontinued/obsolete and recommends the ODROID-N2+ as its successor.

What replaced the ODROID-N2?

The ODROID-N2+ is the direct revision of the original ODROID-N2. It retains the S922X platform while increasing the maximum CPU frequencies and making several hardware changes.



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