The Rockchip RK3188 is a 2013-made SoC that made a big splash when it arrived: a 28 nm quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 SoC aimed at tablets, mini-PC sticks, and low-cost embedded devices that delivered surprisingly strong single- and multi-threaded performance for its era. In this guide I’ll explain the RK3188’s core features, clarify the frequently confusing RK3188 vs RK3188T naming and clock-speed differences, show a compact comparison table and explain how we can customize Rockchip-based solutions for product projects.
What the RK3188 is (and what it isn’t)
At its core the Rockchip RK3188 is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore application processor built on a sub-28nm process (good for 2013, but now it is old). Typical configurations advertise CPU clocks up to 1.6 GHz, a Mali-400 MP4 GPU, support for DDR3 / LPDDR2 memory, HDMI output capable of 1080p, and a set of multimedia engines (video encode/decode, 2D/3D acceleration) that made it an attractive SoC for Android tablets and TV sticks in the mid-2010s. The SoC supports common peripheral sets (USB OTG/host, SD/MMC, MIPI/parallel camera interfaces, multiple display outputs), and runs Android builds and lightweight Linux distributions on many community projects.
RK3188 vs RK3188T – What’s the difference?
Rockchip later shipped a closely related part labelled RK3188T. Functionally, the two are the same family, but the RK3188T is a down-binned / lower-clock version of the original RK3188: the RK3188 typically tops out at around 1.6 GHz on the CPU cores while the RK3188T is limited to 1.4 GHz and often uses slightly reduced GPU clocks as well. This led to confusion in the market because many devices advertised “RK3188” but shipped the T variant (which is cheaper to produce and consumes a bit less power). For buyers and OEMs this matters: benchmark scores and thermal/headroom differ, and the T variant is common in low-cost TV boxes and tablets.
RK3188 quick technical highlights
- CPU: Quad ARM Cortex-A9 (with NEON), L2 cache, SMP capable.
- GPU: ARM Mali-400 MP4 (OpenGL ES 2.0).
- Multimedia: hardware H.264/VP8 decode/encode to 1080p; 2D accelerator and video pipelines suitable for Android UI use.
- Memory: DDR3 / LPDDR2 support (various widths and speeds up to the SoC’s supported limits).
- I/O: HDMI, USB 2.0 OTG/Host, SD/MMC, MIPI/parallel camera interfaces, Ethernet (depending on the module implementation).
Practical comparison table
Real-world implications for designers and buyers
- Performance vs cost – If you need maximum CPU/GPU throughput and your board/case can handle the thermal load, seek devices explicitly listing the non-T RK3188 and per-core clock figures. If you prioritize lower BOM cost and slightly lower power, RK3188T variants are common and acceptable for many media applications.
- Thermals & sustained workloads – RK3188 devices can reach their advertised clocks only if the system has adequate thermal dissipation. In fanless TV boxes and tablets the RK3188T often provides better sustained performance because it avoids thermal throttling by having a lower ceiling.
- Software support – Because RK3188 is older silicon, community ports of Android and lightweight Linux are available, but long-term upstream kernel support may be limited. For products that need security updates and long lifecycles, consider maintenance options or newer Rockchip families.
Use cases that still make sense today
- Low-cost Android tablets where a high-quality screen and 1080p video are the priorities.
- TV sticks and small form-factor media players where low BOM cost is key.
- Industrial HMI panels and embedded systems where a proven, inexpensive SoC with known drivers is advantageous.
Even though the RK3188 is a generation behind current high-end ARM SoCs, its combination of quad cores, Mali GPU and multimedia blocks still fits many cost-sensitive products.
We do Rockchip-based customization for clients
We offer turnkey customization services for Rockchip-based designs, including new modules and boards (RK3688, RK3588, RK3588S etc). Our services cover:
- Hardware selection and BOM optimization.
- Custom carrier board design (memory layout, power sequencing, display/camera interfaces, and EMI/thermal considerations).
- Firmware and Android/Linux porting (builds, device tree, kernel tweaks, bootloader customization).
- Long-term maintenance plans (security updates, OTA integration) and manufacturing support.
If you need a cost-optimized media player, a custom Android tablet, or an embedded HMI using Rockchip solutions, we can adapt the RK35/36 family to your constraints and handle supply/quality control.
Sources and Product Page
- Rockchip RK3188 datasheet and technical manual (official/spec PDFs).
- Liliputing coverage of the RK3188T announcement and the practical difference between RK3188 and RK3188T.
- Rockchip product list / Wikipedia summary for RK31xx family.
- RK3188 Product Page
Conclusion
The Rockchip RK3188 remains a capable, cost-effective SoC for devices that need quad-core CPU performance and 1080p multimedia without the price or power demands of modern high-end chips. The commonly seen RK3188T is simply a lower-clocked variant that trades peak performance for lower power/heat and cost – something to watch for when evaluating supplier specs. For product teams, the decision between RK3188 and RK3188T should be driven by sustained workload, thermal envelope, and BOM targets. If you’re building a device and want a tailored Rockchip solution, we provide full hardware, firmware and manufacturing support to adapt RK3188 family silicon to your product goals.
Learn more about Rockchip’s products:
