Rockchip

Rockchip, formally Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics Co., Ltd., is a Chinese fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Fuzhou, Fujian. Founded in 2001, it designs system-on-chip products rather than operating as an integrated device manufacturer. Its portfolio has developed from low-cost multimedia processors for portable media players and entry-level tablets into a broader range of application processors for tablets, personal computers, streaming-media boxes, embedded boards, commercial displays, intelligent point-of-sale equipment, industrial computers, cameras, robotics, automotive cameras, and other AIoT devices. The company’s designs primarily use Arm CPU architectures licensed from Arm, although Rockchip has also pursued other architecture relationships. Its products generally integrate CPU cores, graphics, video-processing blocks, display interfaces, memory controllers, connectivity interfaces, image signal processors, and, in selected families, neural-processing or other AI acceleration capabilities. This system-level integration allows device manufacturers to build compact products with comparatively limited external silicon. Rockchip became particularly visible during the expansion of the low-cost Android tablet and media-box markets. Earlier RK26xx, RK27xx, RK28xx, RK29xx, RK30xx, and RK31xx families were used in portable media players, e-readers, tablets, Android TV dongles, and set-top boxes. The RK2918 was noted for hardware support for Google’s WebM VP8 format, while the RK3066 and RK3188 became widely used in inexpensive Android devices. These products helped establish Rockchip as a significant supplier to Chinese white-label and original-equipment manufacturers. The company later broadened its focus toward higher-performance computing, multimedia, embedded vision, and edge AI. The RK3288 targeted high-performance tablets, media devices, and industrial applications and supported advanced display and video functions for its time. The RK3399 introduced a heterogeneous six-core design combining high-performance Cortex-A72 cores with Cortex-A53 efficiency cores and appeared in Chromebooks, single-board computers, development platforms, and other embedded systems. The RK3399Pro added a neural-processing unit for AI-oriented workloads. Rockchip’s later product families include the RK3308 for voice and audio-oriented devices, the RK3326 and PX30 for entry-level and IoT applications, the RK3566 and RK3568 for embedded computing and multimedia systems, and the RK3588 family for more demanding edge-computing, vision, video, and industrial workloads. The company also introduced dedicated or specialized devices such as the RV1108 for smart-camera and computer-vision applications. Across these lines, Rockchip has emphasized video decoding and encoding, multi-display support, camera processing, AI acceleration, and extensive peripheral connectivity. Rockchip has supplied chips to Chinese white-box manufacturers and has also been associated with products from international OEMs including Asus, HP, Samsung, and Toshiba. It announced or entered cooperation involving Google, Microsoft, and Intel. In 2014, Intel announced an agreement under which Rockchip would adopt Intel architecture for entry-level tablets, illustrating Rockchip’s role in the competitive and rapidly changing tablet-chip market. Rockchip was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020 under ticker 603893.SH. Public reference material identifies offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong in addition to its Fuzhou base.

Rockchip was established in Fuzhou in 2001 as a fabless integrated-circuit design company. Its early business was centered on low-cost multimedia processing. The RK26xx and RK27xx generations, introduced during the growth of portable media players, helped make the company known for compact chips capable of handling MP3, MP4, and other common audio-video workloads. The RK28xx family extended this work into portable media players and mobile Internet devices, adding functions such as HDMI output, Android compatibility, and hardware video acceleration in selected products. During the transition from dedicated media players to smartphones, tablets, and connected televisions, Rockchip developed the RK29xx and RK30xx families. The RK2918 used an Arm Cortex-A8 processor and became notable for hardware decoding of Google’s WebM VP8 format. It also supported high-definition H.264 processing and was used in e-readers and other Android-oriented devices. The dual-core RK3066 and related products became popular in tablets, Android TV dongles, and media boxes, while lower-cost derivatives addressed entry-level devices. The RK31xx generation marked a further performance step. The RK3188 combined four Cortex-A9 cores with Arm Mali graphics and was produced using a 28-nanometer process. It was adopted in tablets and television dongles and became one of Rockchip’s better-known processors of the early Android-device era. The RK3288 followed with a quad-core design, stronger graphics, 4K-class multimedia capabilities, and broader display and peripheral support. A public discussion concerning whether its CPU cores should be described as Cortex-A12 or Cortex-A17 was later clarified by Arm, which explained that production revisions of Cortex-A12 incorporated improvements associated with Cortex-A17 and that the newer nomenclature was acceptable. Rockchip’s international industry relationships also expanded during this period. Its products were supplied to Chinese white-box manufacturers and were used by a number of established OEMs. In May 2014, Intel announced a multi-year cooperation arrangement with Rockchip for entry-level tablets based on Intel architecture. The relationship reflected both companies’ efforts to compete in a cost-sensitive tablet market dominated by Arm-based designs. In 2015, Rockchip announced the RK3368, an octa-core 64-bit processor aimed at tablets and media boxes. The RK3399, announced in 2016, represented a move toward higher-performance heterogeneous computing, pairing two Cortex-A72 cores with four Cortex-A53 cores. It appeared in Chromebooks, development boards, single-board computers, system modules, and other embedded products. The RK3399Pro added an integrated neural-processing unit and strengthened Rockchip’s direction toward AI-enabled devices. Rockchip subsequently expanded beyond general-purpose tablet and media processors. The RK3308 addressed audio-rich and voice-enabled products, with multiple audio interfaces and voice-activation functions. The RK3326 and PX30 targeted affordable AIoT and embedded products. The RV1108 brought dedicated attention to computer vision and smart cameras, supporting applications such as surveillance cameras, vehicle cameras, drones, sports cameras, virtual-reality devices, and intelligent-retail systems. The RK35xx generation continued the company’s emphasis on embedded computing, multimedia, and edge AI. The RK3566 and RK3568 used Cortex-A55 cores and integrated graphics, video, camera, display, storage, networking, USB, PCIe, and industrial peripheral functions. These chips were used by board and module makers in single-board computers, embedded controllers, and development platforms. The RK3588 became a flagship platform for more demanding applications, with high-performance Arm CPU cores, advanced graphics, video engines, display capability, camera support, and neural-processing functions. Reduced or related versions include the RK3582, RK3588S, and RK3588S2. Rockchip was recognized as one of the leading fabless integrated-circuit suppliers in reference material covering 2018. It was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020. Its continuing business model is based on designing processor platforms and supporting device manufacturers, board makers, and embedded-system developers rather than selling finished consumer products under a broad retail brand. Its technical identity remains closely associated with integrated multimedia SoCs, developer ecosystems, and increasingly capable processors for AIoT, computer vision, edge computing, and intelligent industrial equipment.

• 2020

  Rockchip lists on the Shanghai Stock Exchange

  [3]Shanghai Stock Exchangesse.com.cn

  Rockchip becomes publicly traded in Shanghai under ticker 603893.SH.

• 2018

  Rockchip is recognized among leading fabless IC suppliers

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Industry reference material places Rockchip among the top 50 fabless integrated-circuit suppliers for 2018.

• 2016

  RK3399 generation is introduced

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The RK3399 brings heterogeneous Cortex-A72 and Cortex-A53 processing to higher-performance embedded and consumer devices.

• 2015

  RK3368 is announced

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Rockchip announces an octa-core 64-bit SoC for tablets and media boxes.

• 2014

  Intel and Rockchip announce tablet cooperation

  [2]Intel and Rockchip announce multi-year agreement to develop Intel-based mobile device platformsintel.com

  Intel announces an agreement with Rockchip concerning Intel-architecture platforms for entry-level tablets.

• 2013

  RK3188 enters production

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The quad-core RK3188 extends Rockchip’s tablet and Android media-device portfolio.

• 2011

  RK291x is presented

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The RK291x family is introduced at CES, targeting tablets, e-readers, and related Android devices.

• 2006

  RK26xx series is released

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The RK26xx generation forms part of Rockchip’s early portable-media and multimedia processor business.

• 2001

  Rockchip is founded

  [1]Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Rockchip is established in Fuzhou, Fujian, as a fabless integrated-circuit design company.

A fabless semiconductor designer positioned around integrated, multimedia-capable and increasingly AI-enabled processors for embedded, intelligent-hardware, and edge-computing markets.

• Flagship application processor SoC

  RK3588 family

  Rockchip’s flagship-class embedded processor family for edge computing, AIoT, computer vision, industrial systems, high-end development boards, and multimedia equipment. The platform combines Arm CPU processing, GPU acceleration, video engines, display interfaces, camera support, and neural-processing capabilities. Related versions include the RK3582, RK3588S, and RK3588S2, which adapt the platform for different performance, packaging, or product requirements.

• High-performance application processor SoC · 2016

  RK3399 and RK3399Pro

  The RK3399 uses two Cortex-A72 cores and four Cortex-A53 cores in a heterogeneous 64-bit design, with integrated graphics and extensive multimedia and peripheral support. It has been used in Chromebooks, single-board computers, system modules, and embedded platforms. The RK3399Pro adds a neural-processing unit intended for AI and edge-inference workloads.

• Embedded and AIoT application processor SoC · 2020

  RK3566 and RK3568

  These RK35xx processors target embedded computers, development boards, industrial equipment, networked devices, and multimedia systems. They integrate Cortex-A55 processing, Arm Mali graphics, video encode and decode, camera and display interfaces, storage controllers, networking, USB, PCIe, and common microcontroller-style peripherals. Board and module manufacturers use them to build compact general-purpose embedded systems.

• Multimedia and embedded application processor SoC · 2014

  RK3288

  The RK3288 was designed for tablets, TV devices, commercial displays, vending machines, medical equipment, gaming systems, intelligent POS terminals, robots, and industrial computers. It combines four Arm processor cores with Mali graphics, high-definition video processing, 4K display support, and a broad set of interfaces. Its capabilities made it an important bridge between Rockchip’s low-cost tablet products and later embedded platforms.

• Audio and voice-oriented SoC

  RK3308

  The RK3308 is an entry-level processor family for mainstream audio and voice-enabled products. It emphasizes multiple audio input interfaces, power efficiency, and embedded voice-activation detection, making it suitable for smart speakers, voice terminals, and other connected devices that require local audio capture and processing.

• Computer-vision and smart-camera SoC

  RV1108

  The RV1108 represents Rockchip’s move into AI and computer vision. It incorporates a CEVA digital-signal-processing block and is intended for smart cameras, surveillance products, vehicle cameras, drones, sports cameras, virtual-reality equipment, and intelligent-retail systems. The platform supports camera pipelines and algorithmic workloads at the device edge.

• Portable multimedia processor

  RK27xx series

  One of Rockchip’s earliest notable product families, the RK27xx series was used in low-cost portable media players. Its value proposition centered on efficient decoding of common audio and video formats for inexpensive MP3 and MP4 devices.

• 2021

  Source

Read more

• 2014Intel–Rockchip tablet platform cooperation

  China · Global entry-level tablet market

  Intel announced a multi-year cooperation arrangement with Rockchip to develop entry-level tablet platforms using Intel architecture. The initiative connected Rockchip’s design and customer reach in low-cost mobile devices with Intel’s processor architecture.

  Outcome. The announcement documented a strategic collaboration, but the supplied sources do not establish its longer-term commercial outcome.

  Source

• 2020

  Shanghai Stock Exchange listingOther

  Background

  Rockchip had developed into a publicly visible fabless semiconductor supplier serving consumer and embedded-device markets.

  Action taken

  The company listed its shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 603893.SH.

  Aftermath

  Rockchip became a publicly traded semiconductor company; no financial figures are included because the supplied material does not provide a sourced transaction value or listing valuation.

  Source

• 2016

  Launch of the RK3399 platformProduct launch

  Background

  Rockchip was moving from entry-level tablets and media boxes toward higher-performance computing and embedded applications.

  Action taken

  The company introduced a six-core 64-bit SoC combining two Cortex-A72 cores with four Cortex-A53 cores.

  Aftermath

  The platform was adopted in Chromebooks, single-board computers, system modules, and other embedded products.

  Source

• 2014

  Cooperation with Intel on entry-level tabletsStrategy

  Background

  The tablet market was highly competitive and price-sensitive, while Rockchip was a significant supplier to low-cost Android-device manufacturers.

  Action taken

  Rockchip agreed to cooperate with Intel on entry-level tablet platforms based on Intel architecture.

  Aftermath

  The supplied material confirms the announcement but does not provide enough evidence to assess the partnership’s eventual scale or duration.

  Source

• Unconfirmed

  Rockchip and China Mobile jointly launch two video IoT chips[9]瑞芯微与中国移动联合发布两款视频物联网芯片news.e-works.net.cn

  Rockchip and China Mobile jointly launched two video IoT chips, AIoTel RV1109 and AIoTel RV1126, combining China Mobile’s AIoTel capabilities with Rockchip’s chip technology.

• 2021-04-16

  Lenovo releases commercial smart IoT products[10]联想发布商用智能物联新品itbear.com.cn

  Lenovo Commercial released the ECB-PR51 edge-enhanced computing board, the ECG-AR51P series smart gateway, and the ECP-KIOSK series self-service checkout device.

• Unconfirmed

  Rockchip launches RK2108D wearable chip[11]瑞芯微推出RK2108D智能穿戴芯片finance.sina.com.cn

  Reported: 2021-03-11

  Rockchip launched the RK2108D, a new high-performance, low-power chip for smart wearable devices.

• 2021-03-09

  Rockchip updates RV1126 and RV1109 security solutions[12]瑞芯微升级RV1126和RV1109安防方案finance.sina.com.cn

  Reported: 2021-03-09

  Rockchip announced upgraded RV1126 and RV1109 battery-powered security solutions, describing technical improvements to address product shortcomings.

• Unconfirmed

  Dixin Technology completes Series A funding[13]地芯科技完成A轮融资finance.sina.com.cn

  Reported: 2021-03-08

  Dixin Technology announced that it completed a Series A funding round of nearly RMB 100 million, led by Yinghua Capital, with existing investors Rayson Electronics and Yanmu Grass Investment also participating.

• 2019-10-24

  iFlytek announces collaboration to provide customized voice AI chips[14]科大讯飞宣布联合合作伙伴提供定制化语音AI芯片finance.sina.com.cn

  Reported: 2019-10-25

  iFlytek announced that it would work with domestic processor makers including Allwinner Technology, Rockchip, and Qiongtian Technology, along with other ecosystem partners, to provide customized voice AI chips for industry.

1. 1Rockchip - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Intel and Rockchip announce multi-year agreement to develop Intel-based mobile device platformsintel.com
3. 3Shanghai Stock Exchangesse.com.cn
4. 4Rockchip official websiterock-chips.com
5. 5Rockchip-瑞芯微电子股份有限公司 - 产品中心rock-chips.com
6. 6Rockchip-瑞芯微电子股份有限公司 - 公司简介rock-chips.com
7. 7未及时披露政府补助被责令改正，股东违规交易被警示paper.cnstock.com
8. 8未及时披露政府补助被责令改正，股东违规交易被警示nbd.com.cn
9. 9瑞芯微与中国移动联合发布两款视频物联网芯片news.e-works.net.cn
10. 10联想发布商用智能物联新品itbear.com.cn
11. 11瑞芯微推出RK2108D智能穿戴芯片finance.sina.com.cn
12. 12瑞芯微升级RV1126和RV1109安防方案finance.sina.com.cn
13. 13地芯科技完成A轮融资finance.sina.com.cn
14. 14科大讯飞宣布联合合作伙伴提供定制化语音AI芯片finance.sina.com.cn