Raspberry Pi Zero 3 W and Pi 4 Model A Spotted in Linux Kernel Tree

New Raspberry Pi Boards Emerge

Device tree files for two new Raspberry Pi boards, the Raspberry Pi Zero 3 W and a Raspberry Pi 4 Model A, have been discovered within the Raspberry Pi Linux kernel tree. This finding precedes any official announcement from Raspberry Pi, but device tree files often reveal hardware specifications.

Raspberry Pi Zero 3 W Specifications

The Raspberry Pi Zero 3 W is indicated to feature the Broadcom BCM2711 system-on-chip (SoC), which is the same quad-core Cortex-A72 processor found in the Raspberry Pi 4. This marks a substantial performance increase over the Zero 2 W's quad-core 1GHz Cortex-A53 RP3A0 chip. The device tree also suggests potential eMMC storage support with an 8-bit bus width, though its inclusion in the final product is uncertain due to cost implications. Additionally, the Zero 3 W appears to incorporate an SPI flash bootloader, similar to the Pi 4, enabling EEPROM-based boot options and updates. It is configured with a single HDMI output, with the second controller disabled, consistent with its compact form factor.

Performance and Thermal Considerations

The adoption of the BCM2711 SoC in the Zero 3 W represents a significant leap in per-core performance for the Zero series. However, the BCM2711 is known for generating heat, raising questions about thermal management within the Zero's small footprint. Clock speeds for the SoC in the Zero 3 W are not specified in the device tree, suggesting they may be adjusted to manage heat output. The potential for eMMC storage would offer faster and more reliable storage than microSD cards, but could impact the device's price point.