PocketBeagle 2: Developer board now available as new model variant with improved performance

A new model variant of the PocketBeagle 2 is now available. We previously reported on the original model in February, and now the system is equipped with a different SoC. The installed AM6254 from Texas Instruments is said to offer improved performance compared to the previously installed AM6232, but the change in the installed SoC does not appear to come hand-in-hand with a direct price increase. It is still a developer board with significantly limited performance, and the model does not come with a typical HDMI output like the Raspberry Pi 5, so the system is unlikely to be suitable as a solution for media playback.

The board measures just 55 x 35 millimeters and is quite flat. The 512 MB LPDDR4 module is found on the front, along with a USB-C port, two buttons and user-configurable LEDs and debug ports. The microSD port and a UART connection for debugging are located on the rear, as well as two pin headers. External sensors and actuators can then be connected via these pin headers, making it conceivable to implement robotics projects, for example, in which the PocketBeagle can control the legs of a system based on various sensor data.

The developer board can be purchased online at Digikey for $29.99. Those looking for an alternative can take a look at the Raspberry Pi Zero 2.