Source: Flipper
The Flipper One is a pocket-sized ARM Linux computer from Flipper Devices, and it represents a major leap from the Flipper Zero that put the company on the map. Where the Zero gave you a microcontroller-based multitool for RF, RFID, and NFC work (we covered it in depth here: Pentesting Tools: A Deep Dive into Flipper Zero), the Flipper One runs a full Linux stack on hardware that rivals a Raspberry Pi 5.
Flipper Devices has called this their original founding vision. Here’s what the specs look like, how it compares to the Zero, and why it matters if you work in cybersecurity.
From Multitool to Pocket Computer
The Flipper Zero was always about doing a lot with very little — a microcontroller paired with radio, RFID, infrared, and NFC capabilities in a pocketable form factor. It was tightly scoped by design, and that’s what made it powerful.
The Flipper One is closer to a Raspberry Pi that fits in your jacket than anything the Zero tried to be. You get a full ARM Linux computer built around a Rockchip RK3576 system-on-chip: four Cortex-A72 performance cores, four Cortex-A54 efficiency cores, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 64GB of onboard storage with microSD expansion.
At its core sits a Rockchip RK3576 system-on-chip with four high-performance Arm Cortex-A72 cores and four efficient Cortex-A54 cores, paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 64GB of onboard storage with microSD expansion. There’s also an integrated AI accelerator delivering 6 TOPS (tera-operations per second), and a Raspberry Pi RP2350B microcontroller running as a dedicated real-time coprocessor.
This is not a toy spec sheet.
What It Can Actually Do
The form factor is roughly a scaled-up Flipper Zero, but the connectivity list reads like a desktop workstation.
- Full-size HDMI (4K120 output) — connect it to any TV or monitor
- DisplayPort 1.4 on one of the USB-C ports
- Three USB ports (2x Type-C, 1x Type-A), all USB 3.1 at 5Gb/s
- Dual gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 6 tri-band + Bluetooth 5.2
- M.2 B-key slot — for storage, cellular modems, or accelerator boards
- Nano-SIM slot for optional cellular connectivity
- GPIO header and debug port (UART + SWD) for hardware work
- Haptic touchpad and D-pad for navigation — no mouse required
The company is also building a custom GUI framework specifically designed for the device’s small screen — addressing what CEO Pavel Zhovner describes as a problem his competitors have simply ignored.
How It Compares to the Flipper Zero
It’s worth being clear: the Flipper One is not a replacement for the Flipper Zero. Zhovner has stated this explicitly — the Zero will continue to be manufactured and sold, targeting microcontroller-centric work: RF analysis, RFID, NFC cloning, infrared, and the kind of low-level hardware interaction the security community loves it for.
The Flipper One is aimed at a different use case entirely: general-purpose open computing, with Linux at its heart and an emphasis on being the most open, best-documented ARM device available.
| Flipper Zero | Flipper One | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | STM32 microcontroller | RK3576 (8-core ARM) |
| OS | Custom firmware | Linux (mainline) |
| RAM | 256KB | 8GB |
| Connectivity | Sub-GHz, RFID, NFC, IR | Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.2, Ethernet, M.2, SIM |
| Network | None (by design) | Full networking |
| Primary use | Hardware pentesting multitool | Open ARM Linux computer |
| Target user | Security researcher, hardware hacker | Developer, power user, security pro |
The Open Source Angle
One of the most interesting things about the Flipper One announcement isn’t the hardware — it’s the development philosophy. Flipper Devices is opening up the development process from day one, actively soliciting community contributions across firmware, documentation, and kernel work.
A key challenge is getting the RK3576 chipset fully supported in the mainline Linux kernel, particularly around a closed DDR5 memory trainer binary blob. Flipper is working with open-source hardware firm Collabora on this, but has put out an open call to the community — including anyone who might have contacts inside Rockchip.
For cybersecurity professionals, this matters. A device running fully open, mainline-supported Linux with no binary blobs is a more trustworthy foundation for security research than one relying on vendor firmware you can’t audit.
Why Cybersecurity Professionals Should Pay Attention
The Flipper One isn’t explicitly a pentesting tool — but its specs and openness make it immediately interesting for security work:
Portable lab environment. With dual Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and an M.2 slot for cellular modems, you have a complete network testing environment in your pocket. Plug it into an HDMI screen, and you have a full Linux workstation anywhere.
AI/ML at the edge. The 6 TOPS on-board accelerator opens the door to running local inference models — relevant for anomaly detection, log analysis, or any ML-augmented security tooling without cloud dependency.
Hardware research. The GPIO header, UART debug port, and SWD support keep the device relevant for embedded and IoT security work, carrying forward the DNA of the Flipper Zero into a more powerful chassis.
Auditability. The commitment to mainline Linux and eliminating binary blobs is directly relevant to anyone running security-sensitive workloads. You can’t trust what you can’t inspect.
Source: Flipper
Flipper One Price and Release Date
The Flipper One is still in active development — Flipper Devices is not yet taking orders and hasn’t confirmed final pricing or a release date. Zhovner has mentioned a target price of around $350, though he acknowledges this may shift given ongoing volatility in RAM pricing globally.
In the meantime, the company has launched a developer portal and is actively seeking contributors across firmware, documentation, and upstream kernel work.
Want to Work with Tools Like This Professionally?
Understanding how devices like the Flipper Zero and Flipper One fit into a real security workflow — that’s the kind of practical, hands-on knowledge that separates a practitioner from someone who just passed a certification.
At Cybersteps Academy, we’re one of Germany’s leading cybersecurity training providers, offering state-funded Weiterbildung programs across multiple areas of the field, including SOC analysis, cloud security, GRC, and more. Our programs are designed for career changers and working professionals who want to build the kind of deep, applicable expertise the industry actually demands.
If you’re ready to take your career in cybersecurity seriously, explore our programs at cybersteps.de.
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