I think it was written too quickly.
The documentation is more consistent about it:
The top part of that new link still just says “1x M.2 KEY-B slot with USB3.0 for 4G/5G Module” with no mention of PCIe in the Key Features, but then down below the Hardware Spec says “M.2 KEYB PCIE support 4G/5G (USB3.0/PCIe3.0 1 lane)” so I’m hoping that’s right.
Found it:
I still think it includes PCIe — it’s just not present in this part / on this section.
But you’re right!
→ This should be confirmed.
Can you say something about your decision to place the M.2 / mini PCIe header in a position where the module overlaps with other chips?
- My assumption is that the R4 and the BE14 caused this design change:
- The R4 was getting a new case, and the BE14 has a new cooling solution.
- I also noticed that there is a concept for the R4 Lite to move the heat out of the case:
- I hope this decision is not driven by the necessary of placing the BE14 between two metal plates (for better shielding).
I found that your PCB shielding (from a layman’s point of view) has improved a lot:
- You even shield the MT7990A against the MT7976C on the R4 Mini.
-
However, using shielding cans with so little clearance between the M.2 / mini PCIe modules is challenging (and may even be impossible).
-
This is just my opinion, but at first glance I would prefer the old R4 Lite design:
- And for the R4 Mini, I would also prefer the M.2 socket on the backside.
Best regards!
Hi，
The R4mini places the BKEY connector on this side primarily to accommodate the WiFi antenna and 5G module antenna assembly.
To reduce heat, we used a 2.5G GEN2 PHY (AN8811) with significantly lower power consumption, and the NIC also uses the relatively low-power MT7990.
In addition to the top shielding and heatsink, a large heatsink will also be added to the bottom of the PCB, which should provide good heat dissipation control.
Currently, driver debugging is underway, and the heatsink is already being prototyped. We expect to have heat dissipation tests soon.
Stay tuned!
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for me this looks almost perfect. it seems like the idea of this concept is fanless.
just the critical situation for the ram. I really wonder what that product will cost finally.
i would miss the key-m slot…also noticed this on R4Lite which uses same SoC. Imho more users want to use nvme than a modem. Basicly both could be supported with key-e slot, but afair modems need slight higer voltage which may cause heat or damage to some nvme drives. Also a router-board with only 2 RJ45 ports (same for R3Mini) and also without wifi is a strange router 
BPI-R4 Mini Wifi7 onboard, BPI-R4 Lite with more RJ45 port and without wifi7 on board,
Historic breakthrough for Banana Pi! 
Heatsink:
- individual 3D heatsink
- for heat dissipation
- seamless electromagnetic shielding (?)
- on both sides!
I am somewhat surprised by this development.
I would appreciate seeing this implemented for all of your router boards (R3, R4, R…).
One remark regarding your heatsink pictures (AliExpress as well):
- The top side is interesting; however, the underside is also interesting
- The R4 Lite has three pictures showing the top side, but no picture showing the underside.
I was also tinkering with the R2 Mini and the R4 Mini and tried to answer the question:
→ What is it, and what can I do with it?
→ For the R4 Mini, I was considering using an additional card to extend RJ45:
But after a few days of thinking:
→ The main purpose is a travel router:
Compared to this, it has an additional 5G modem and a USB-C debug port.
This is where my tinkering ended …
I would also like to share my opinion regarding the selection of ports on the R4 Mini.
If space is limited, I would opt for 3 × USB-C:
- power
- debug
- data
Therefore, my suggestion would be to omit the DC port and the USB-A port and use the space for something else .
I understand that the DC port is intended for industrial customers, but regarding the change from USB-A to USB-C, I have a reference (GL.iNet Slate 7 Pro):
… and this might also be a good suggestion for the future R5 and R5 Pro (Filogic 8000).
As usual, this is just something from my wishlist!
Sorry, missed this somehow. So only the key-m is missing to have comparable state with R3mini. As it is designed for travel router like @Lorem_amicus wrote i guess the 2 ports are enough (as rj45 will require switch chip and the ports itself need much space). And R3mini also uses usb-c for power so i ack this point from michael.
Where can I write to get the first samples?
This board is probably not yet for sale. If it is available for purchase, there should be a purchase link on the official website.
any updates on the progress of the R4-Mini?
Hi @sinovoip,
You mentioned in December that mass production would start in Q1 2026. We’re now at the end of Q1 — is the R4 Mini still on track?
I’m looking to buy one as soon as it’s available. I’ll be using it with a Quectel RM530N-GL 5G modem in the M.2 B-key slot, running OpenWrt/ROOter.
A few questions:
- When will it be available to order?
- What’s the expected price?
- Will it be sold on AliExpress and Amazon, or only through certain resellers?
- Can you confirm the M.2 B-key slot supports both USB3.0 and PCIe3.0 for 5G modules?
Thanks!
I wrote to them by email about this and they told me that if the testing is completed successfully, then it is best to expect mass sales in the fall of this year.
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Good question as bananapi bpir4 is not hardware compatible with rm520n-gl in pcie mode
Does anyone know if the Wifi 7 is a full tri-band Wifi 7 like the full R4 had? The antenna connectors shown in the picture are labelled 2/5G and I don’t see 6G anywhere, so that has me concerned this is just a dual-band WiFi 7.