Inside an Android SBC: CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage, and I/O Explained

Source: Dev.to

Android Single Board Computers (Android SBCs) are increasingly popular across industrial automation, retail kiosks, smart home systems, digital signage, and educational devices. Compared to traditional microcontroller (MCU) platforms or Linux‑based SBCs, Android SBCs offer a mature development ecosystem, powerful hardware, and rich multimedia and UI capabilities. This makes them an ideal fit for modern HMI and IoT applications.

CPU — The Central Processing Unit

Most Android SBCs use ARM‑based processors from vendors such as Rockchip, Amlogic, and Allwinner. Common architectures include Cortex‑A53, A55, A72, and A76, often with quad‑core or octa‑core designs.

The CPU handles

• Running the Android operating system and frameworks
• Executing application logic
• Managing multitasking and process scheduling
• Rendering WebView, UI transitions, and background services
• Handling network protocols and encryption tasks

Key CPU factors

• Core count – improves multitasking
• Single‑core performance – critical for UI smoothness
• Manufacturing process (nm) – affects power efficiency and heat
• Instruction set (ARMv7 vs ARMv8) – determines compatibility and speed

For HMI or multimedia devices, modern ARM cores like Cortex‑A55 and A76 offer significantly improved responsiveness and stability.

GPU — The Engine Behind Smooth Visuals

Android relies heavily on hardware‑accelerated rendering. The GPU determines how smoothly the UI runs and how well visual or graphical applications perform.

The GPU affects

• UI transitions and animations
• Rendering charts, dashboards, or custom graphics
• WebView performance during scrolling or zooming
• Video playback quality

Common GPUs in Android SBCs include the ARM Mali series (G31, G52, G57) and PowerVR. Many support OpenGL ES 3.x and Vulkan, enabling advanced graphical interfaces. For visually rich HMI systems or interactive displays, GPU performance is often more important than CPU performance.

RAM — Essential for Multitasking and System Stability

Android SBCs typically come with 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB of RAM using DDR3, DDR3L, or DDR4.

Insufficient RAM can cause

• Frequent app termination
• WebView pages reloading
• Slow system response
• Reduced multitasking ability

Recommended RAM capacity

• 1 GB–2 GB – Simple HMI, light applications
• 2 GB–4 GB – WebView‑heavy or multimedia workloads
• 4 GB+ – Complex UI, local AI processing, or heavy multitasking

More RAM provides better long‑term stability for always‑on commercial devices.

Storage — Where the System and Data Live

Android SBCs normally use one of the following storage options:

• eMMC (Recommended) – Good balance of speed, stability, and endurance; fast boot times and reliable long‑term performance.
• NAND Flash (Low cost) – Slower and less durable; not suitable for frequent writes or large applications.
• SD/TF Card (For development, not mass production) – Convenient for testing; limited durability and inconsistent performance.

For production devices, 16 GB eMMC is the bare minimum; 32 GB or more is recommended for media‑rich applications.

I/O Interfaces — Connecting the SBC to the Real World

A major advantage of Android SBCs is the wide variety of I/O options, enabling integration with industrial equipment and peripherals.

Typical I/O includes:

• USB Host/OTG – scanners, cameras, printers
• HDMI / LVDS / MIPI‑DSI – displays and touchscreens
• RS232 / RS485 – industrial communication
• GPIO – relays, buttons, LEDs
• I²C / SPI – sensors and ICs
• Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth – network connectivity
• Audio input/output – multimedia devices

This versatility makes Android SBCs suitable for kiosks, smart appliances, vending machines, industrial terminals, digital signage, and more.

Conclusion — Why Android SBCs Are Becoming the Standard

Android SBCs provide an excellent combination of performance, scalability, and cost efficiency. Their key strengths include:

• Smooth, hardware‑accelerated UI
• Flexible CPU/GPU/RAM/storage configurations
• Rich industrial‑grade I/O
• Mature development tools and documentation
• Lower power consumption than traditional x86 systems

As ARM processors become more powerful and AI acceleration becomes more common, Android SBCs will evolve into capable edge‑computing nodes, powering next‑generation IoT devices and HMI systems.