The Armbian community has officially announced Armbian 25.2, a major release designed to improve functionality and broaden hardware support. This Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux distribution specifically targets ARM-based devices and is well-known for offering optimized, lightweight operating systems for single-board computers (SBCs).

Let’s explore the new features and enhancements introduced in Armbian 25.2.

Key Highlights:

Armbian 25.2 comes nearly three months after the Armbian 24.11 release, bringing a host of improvements. One of the most notable updates is the adoption of the Linux 6.12 LTS kernel, which delivers long-term support and performance enhancements across most supported boards.

Additionally, this update introduces extensive refinements and bug fixes in all areas of the distribution. The improved stability and compatibility make this release essential for those running Armbian on ARM devices.

New Board Support

Armbian 25.2 significantly broadens its hardware support, adding compatibility with multiple new boards:

• Rock 2A and 2F
• NanoPi R3S
• Retroid Pocket RP5
• RPMini
• Rock 5T
• GenBook
• MKS-PI
• SKIPR
• Armsom CM5
• NextThing C.H.I.P
• Magicsee C400 Plus

These additions ensure that more users can run Armbian on their preferred ARM hardware with full access to updates and support.

Enhanced Features and Improvements

Armbian 25.2 isn’t just about new hardware; it also brings crucial updates and enhancements to improve performance and user experience:

Rockchip 3588 Series Improvements

• Updated HDMI drivers for better display support
• USB3 fixes for faster data transfer
• Improved Bluetooth support for better connectivity

Expanded Deployment Tools Support

Armbian 25.2 now supports easier deployment of popular tools through armbian-config, including:

• AdGuardHome and Pi-Hole for network-wide ad-blocking
• Home Assistant for home automation
• NetData, Grafana, and Cockpit for monitoring and managing systems
• NextCloud for personal cloud storage solutions

Infrastructure and Performance Enhancements

Improved Global Accessibility

The release expands the build and mirror network with new locations in Amsterdam, Vienna, and Nuremberg. Additionally, the Content Delivery Network (CDN) has been upgraded to ensure better access for users worldwide, including those affected by global conflicts.

Optimized Download Performance

To accelerate downloads, Armbian 25.2 introduces faster torrent downloading by mirroring GitHub downloads through the Armbian CDN. This improvement ensures quicker and more reliable access to system images and updates.

Better Support for Existing Hardware

Armbian 25.2 brings further optimizations to previously supported boards and SoCs, including:

• Raspberry Pi 5 and Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5
• NanoPi R6S and Radxa E20C
• Banana Pi BPI-F3, BPI-CM4, and BPI-M4 Zero
• Odroid XU4 and JetHome JetHub D2
• Rockchip 64 and Allwinner A10
• BIGTREETECH Pi 2/CB2
• CoolPi CM5 and Avaota-A1

These improvements offer better hardware utilization, ensuring users get the most out of their devices.

Upgraded Software Stack and Drivers

U-Boot 2024.10 Integration

Armbian 25.2 incorporates U-Boot 2024.10, which enhances system boot processes, improving speed and reliability.

Automatic Wireless Testing

The inclusion of an automatic wireless testing infrastructure ensures robust wireless connectivity across supported boards.

Updated RTW88 Drivers

Updated RTW88 drivers bring improved wireless support for Realtek Wi-Fi chipsets, boosting compatibility and performance.

How to Get Armbian 25.2

You can download Armbian 25.2 directly from the official Armbian website. The release supports a wide range of ARM devices, including most Raspberry Pi models, Rockchip boards, and many others.

Armbian 25.2 is a substantial update that focuses on broader hardware support, enhanced system performance, and global accessibility improvements. With the inclusion of the Linux 6.12 LTS kernel, updated drivers, and new deployment tools, this release continues to strengthen Armbian’s position as the go-to Linux distribution for ARM-based devices.

For more information, detailed changelogs, and download links, visit the official Armbian release page.

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