Flipper Releases Flipper One, a Modular Linux Cyberdeck

Key Takeaways

• Flipper Devices has unveiled Flipper One, a new modular Linux cyberdeck.
• This device is distinct from the Flipper Zero, focusing on high-performance computing, IP networking, and hardware expandability.
• It features a Rockchip RK3576 processor, aiming for a fully open, mainline Linux stack without proprietary binary blobs.
• Flipper is collaborating with Collabora to ensure upstream Linux kernel support for the RK3576.
• The project emphasizes an unusually transparent development process, inviting community contributions.

Flipper Devices has introduced Flipper One, a new modular Linux cyberdeck designed as a completely open, mainline-first ARM platform for a diverse audience of hackers, researchers, and creators.

The company clarifies that Flipper One is not intended as an upgrade to the popular Flipper Zero. Instead, it represents a distinct “Layer 1” product, engineered for advanced capabilities in IP networking, high-performance computing, and extensive hardware experimentation.

Core Architecture and Open Software Philosophy

At the heart of the Flipper One lies the Rockchip RK3576 processor. Flipper Devices plans to leverage this chip to power an open Linux stack, emphasizing full mainline kernel support. A key objective is to avoid binary blobs and vendor-locked Board Support Package (BSP) dependencies, promoting a truly open environment.

To achieve this, Flipper is actively partnering with Collabora, a leading open-source consultancy, to push RK3576 support upstream into the mainline Linux kernel. This collaboration aims to enable users to boot the device directly from kernel.org software, bypassing the need for heavily modified vendor-specific kernel trees.

According to Flipper’s documentation, mainline Linux functionality on the RK3576 is already operational for most core features. However, ongoing development is addressing several areas, including power management, USB DP Alt-mode, NPU (Neural Processing Unit) integration, video acceleration, and the DDR (Double Data Rate) trainer blob.

Modular Design and Connectivity

The Flipper One is engineered as a highly modular cyberdeck, incorporating a range of expansion interfaces. These include PCIe, USB 3.0, SATA, and M.2 slots, providing significant flexibility for customization.

This design allows for the integration of high-speed add-ons such as Software-Defined Radios (SDRs), Solid State Drives (SSDs), and cellular modems. Flipper envisions the device serving multiple roles, including a router, VPN gateway, packet analyzer, or a mobile Linux workstation.

Connectivity options are robust, featuring two Gigabit Ethernet ports, USB Ethernet at 5 Gbps, and Wi-Fi 6E. Users will also have the option for 5G connectivity via an M.2 modem, further enhancing its versatility in networked environments.

Distinguishing Flipper Zero and Flipper One

Flipper Devices is keen to stress the fundamental difference in purpose between the Flipper Zero and the new Flipper One. They are designed for different layers of the technological stack, rather than representing an upgrade path.

The Flipper Zero continues its focus on offline access-control and radio protocols, encompassing technologies like NFC, RFID, Sub-1 GHz, infrared, and various wired interfaces. In contrast, the Flipper One is tailored for IP-connected workflows, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 5G, and advanced SDR-driven computing tasks.

Visual comparisons provided by the company reinforce this distinction, portraying the Flipper Zero as an offline multi-tool and the Flipper One as a network-centric Linux platform.

Transparent Development and Community Engagement

In an unusual move for hardware development, Flipper Devices is making the Flipper One’s development process public through the Flipper One Developer Portal. This community-editable wiki provides access to task trackers, architectural notes, and work-in-progress documentation.

As Flipper Devices founder Pavel Zhovner stated, the project is structured into various sub-teams covering hardware, mechanics, Linux software, MCU firmware, UI, documentation, and testing. Open tasks are already listed, inviting contributions from the community.

This highly transparent approach aims to establish the project as a valuable learning resource, alongside its goal of becoming a commercial product. For cybersecurity professionals, this commitment to a mainline-first Linux platform, open documentation, and modular interfaces makes the Flipper One a compelling tool for packet analysis, lab work, wireless research, and edge experimentation. The developer portal’s branding of the device as an “openly built portable Linux multi-tool” further underscores the intent for community input to shape both its technical foundation and final design.

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