Khadas Edge2 RK3588S Android 12 DIY SBC TV Box

Khadas Edge2 Rockchip RK3588S SBC Review

The all new Khadas Edge2 is one of those devices I believe the correct term is an SBC (single board computer), that comes along every once in a while and it raises the bar a whole new level in the world of micro computing. The Edge2  can be used in many applications to perform complex task, but it can also be used as is simple Android streaming device. More than that it comes with the latest Android 12 snow cone operating system.

When applied as an Android streaming device for watching movies, playing 4K videos, Android gaming, and emulation gaming, this device will overwhelm you with its high-end performance and features. Its performance benchmarks are the highest of seen in a long time and it even surpasses those recorded by the popular Nvidia shield. The SBC is not for everyone, these are for the tech savvy users and those interested in DIY projects.

Amazon Edge 2 ARM mini PC – https://amzn.to/3NvyVnU
Amazon US Edge2 DIY board $239.90 – https://amzn.to/3SlUSo2

Aliexpress Khadas US $206.31 – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBaDdsR
Aliexpress ARM mini PC – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dlz5lQl

Khadas Edge2 hardware specs

Under the hood it comes with  an Octa-Core Rockchip RK3588S CPU that comprises of two CPU cores. A quad-core cortex A55 clocked at 1.8GHz. And a quad-core cortex A76 clocked at 2.25 GHz for a total of eight cores clocked at 2.2 GHz configured in 64bit mode. This means that this SBC can run 64bit apps and games. You also have the option to install the kernel auditor app and change the scaling governor from schedutil to performance.

It has 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM at 2112MHz and 32GB of eMMC internal storage, there is also a 16GB 64GB model. Its display is powered by the new Mali G610 quad-core GPU with a clock speed of up to 1GHz. It has a refresh rate of 60hz with open GL version 3.2 with Vulkan support. It has dual band  2.4GHz + 5GHz Wi-Fi6 AX technology with Bluetooth 5.0.

Khadas Edge2  I/O ports

• USB HOST – what will and in an x1 USB 3.1 + x1 USB 2.0
• USB-C – x1 PD (Power Deliver) Only x1 USB 3.1 + PD + DP 1.4, up to 4K@60fps
• HDMI – Type-A Female, 8K@60fps HDMI2.1, Dynamic HDR, CEC, DSC 1.2a and HDCP 2.3
• MIPI Display – x1 30-pin 0.5mm FPC Connector 4-lane MIPI-DSI Interface, Resolution up to 4K@60Hz
• Touch Display – x1 40-pin 0.5mm FPC Connector 4-lane MIPI-DSI Interface, Resolution up to 4K@60Hz I2C and GPIO for Touch Panel
• Cameras – x3 30-pin 0.5mm FPC Connectors 4-lane MIPI-CSI Interface per Connector ISP Resolution up to 48MP
• Expand IO – x2 30-pin 0.5mm FPC Connector CPU: I2C, UART, SPI, SDMMC, I2S, ADC, PWM, USB MCU: SWDIO, SWCLK, UART
• Pogo Pads – 7-pin, USB, UART, 5V
• Cooling Fan Header – 4-pin 0.8mm Header PWM Speed Control
• DMIC – Stereo Digital Microphones

Khadas Edge2 Benchmarks

(position number one on the chart as of 21st of October 2022) See here

• Antutu – 542,786
• Geekbench 5 – 609 single-core | 2,422 multicore
• 3D Mark wildlife – 
• 3D Mark slingshot extreme – 6,035
• RAM copy speed – 26,562 MB/s
• Internal storage speed – 261 MB/s read | 110 MB/s write
• Wi-Fi speed(based on 154 Mbps) – 5 GHz band Max speed | 2.4GHz band 83%
• Ethernet LAN via USB – GB LAN speeds 1000 Mbps 

Pro Features

• Rockchip RK3588S Octa-Core CPU 2.2 GHz
• ARM Mali G610 quad-core GPU 1GHz
• Very high benchmarks chart topping
• OOWOW installation manager
• Android 12 operating system mobile version
• Quickstep launcher drag-and-drop features
• Navigation bar/full status bar w/notifications
• Touchscreen capabilities/dual monitor display
• USB type C display port
• Root access
• 8K display up to 60hz/4K up to 120 Hz
• HDR/HLG HDR display
• Open GL ES 3.2 w/ Vulkan
• 4K HDR videos play smoothly
• All surround sound audio formats TrueHD ( Kodi )
• Built-in screen rotation and physical screen rotation
• Alternative launchers w/ custom live wallpapers
• YouTube in 4K HDR 2160p resolution
• Excellent 3D gaming on highest graphics levels
• Gamepad keymapping ready
• Fast PS2 emulation gaming w/ upscaling 2.5 X
• Fast Wi-Fi speeds 2.4 band over 120 Mbps
• No overheating cooling fan heatsink accessory

Cons

• No DRM for Netflix in HD/4K
• No ethernet LAN port(GB LAN available over USB)
• No built-in surround sound decoders (full software decoding available via Kodi media player)
• Pricey not meant for budget users

Final thoughts

This is my dream TV Box hardware Octa-Core processor clocked at 2.2 GHz, with quad-core GPU with speeds up to 1 GHz with Vulkan support. 8GB of DDR4 RAM. What more could you ask for? Android gaming and emulation gaming on this device is a blast.

Even though this is the most powerful ARM chipset to date it’s still not the perfect device when applied as a full-fledged streaming device. For that it will need DRM support for paid subscription services in HD and 4K and the decoders for Dolby vision, Dolby Atmos, and a DTS HD.