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Arduino UNO Q Specs Review: Debian Linux on an Arduino Board

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Arduino UNO Q Specs Review: Debian Linux on an Arduino Board

Arduino announced the "Arduino UNO Q" on October 7, 2025. This UNO-form development board features a "dual-brain" architecture running Debian Linux on a Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 while also supporting Arduino-compatible (Zephyr) development via an STM32U585. With a streamlined single USB-C port design, it can serve as an SBC, but note that a USB PD (Power Delivery) compatible dongle is required—there are some points to verify beforehand.

Arduino announced the Arduino UNO Q on October 7, 2025. Product information is available on the official blog, product page, documentation, and official store. This board features a "dual-brain" architecture running Debian Linux on a Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 while also supporting Arduino-compatible (Zephyr) development via an STM32U585 MCU. With a streamlined single USB-C port design, it can serve as an SBC (Single Board Computer), but note that a USB PD (Power Delivery) compatible dongle is required—there are some points to verify beforehand.

Table of Contents

Specifications

■ Arduino UNO Q
MPU (Linux)Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 (Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 @ 2.0GHz)
GPUAdreno (3D graphics accelerator)
ISP2 units (13MP×2 or 25MP, both rated at 30fps)
AI AcceleratorListed as included (quantitative values like TOPS not confirmed in primary sources)
MCU (Arduino)STM32U585 (Arm Cortex-M33 up to 160MHz, 2MB Flash, 786KB SRAM)
Memory2GB LPDDR4
Storage16GB eMMC (onboard)
Wireless/BTWi-Fi 5 (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.1 (onboard antenna)
USBUSB-C 1 port (host/device switching, power, video output)
Video OutputUSB-C (DP Alt Mode). MIPI DSI pins noted on JMEDIA header
AudioMicrophone IN, Headphone OUT, Line OUT noted on JMISC
Additional Features8×13 LED matrix, 4 RGB user LEDs, User button
ExpansionUNO-compatible headers, bottom high-speed connectors (JMEDIA/JMISC, etc.), Qwiic (I2C, 3.3V)
PowerUSB-C 5V up to 3A, VIN 7-24V
Operating Temp-10 to 60°C (ambient)
OSDebian Linux (MPU side), Zephyr OS (MCU side: Arduino Core)
ContainersDocker and Docker Compose support noted
Size68.85×53.34mm (UNO form factor)

This hybrid development board packs a "dual-brain" architecture—a Qualcomm MPU running Debian Linux alongside an Arduino-compatible MCU—into the UNO form factor of 68.85×53.34mm. However, for SBC use, peripheral I/O relies on a USB-C dongle, and choosing the wrong dongle can prevent the board from booting.

Features

The "Dual-Brain" Architecture Is the Main Selling Point

The core of UNO Q is its configuration with an MPU (QRB2210) capable of running Linux (Debian) and a real-time MCU (STM32U585) on the same board. This type of board makes it easy to divide responsibilities: the Linux side handles networking, UI, log collection, and container execution, while the MCU side handles timing-critical I/O and low-power continuous monitoring.

According to the official store description, Arduino App Lab comes pre-installed, enabling integrated handling of Arduino sketches, Python, and containerized AI models. Think of it as a board designed to bridge the gap between "Arduino alone struggles with heavy processing" and "Linux SBCs make I/O management cumbersome."

Key to SBC Operation: USB-C Dongle Must Support PD

UNO Q consolidates external ports into a single USB-C. Keyboard, mouse, display output, USB devices, and wired LAN are all intended to be expanded through a USB-C dongle.

Important: the official FAQ explicitly states that a USB-C dongle with USB PD support and video output capability is required, and the board won't boot without USB PD. If you're planning casual SBC operation, start by getting a USB-C hub with USB PD passthrough.

AI & Vision: Strong ISP, but Quantitative Comparison Is Difficult

An Adreno GPU and AI accelerator are listed, along with 2 ISP units. For vision applications, stable input images and easy-to-build processing pipelines often matter more than inference itself, making this an interesting point.

However, quantitative values like TOPS for the AI accelerator are difficult to verify from primary sources alone, making direct comparison with other SBCs or external AI accelerators challenging. Competitors include combining a Raspberry Pi 5 with Hailo-8L (13 TOPS) or RK3588-based SBCs (NPU ~6 TOPS class). That said, UNO Q's distinctive feature is its UNO-form headers combined with an onboard MCU—ideal for those who want Linux applications and real-time I/O on a single board.

GPIO/Voltage: UNO-Compatible, but Direct Shield Use Is Risky

UNO-compatible headers are present, so legacy UNO shields can physically be mounted. However, the datasheet indicates I/O is 3.3V, A0/A1 are not 5V compatible, and JCTL is 1.8V. When reusing 5V-based legacy shields, plan for level conversion and signal compatibility verification.

Boot/Storage: eMMC-Based "Straightforward Boot"

Storage is 16GB onboard eMMC, and the official store notes "no SD card required." OS reflashing and updates are covered in official tutorials.

Expansion: Bottom High-Speed Connectors Are Attractive, M.2 and PCIe Unconfirmed

In addition to UNO-compatible headers, bottom high-speed connectors (JMEDIA/JMISC, etc.) enable expansion for cameras, displays, audio, and more. However, at the time of writing, clear information about M.2 slots or PCIe (generation and lanes) could not be found in primary sources.

Appearance

Arduino UNO Q Board Top View
Ref: Arduino Store (EU) Product Page

The top side shows UNO-compatible headers and Qwiic neatly arranged, giving it the familiar UNO feel. Meanwhile, main chips are visible near the center, and the overall board aesthetic leans more toward "compact SBC" than "microcontroller board"—an interesting aspect.

Arduino UNO Q Board Bottom View
Ref: Arduino Store (EU) Product Page

The bottom side shows the high-speed connector group prominently implemented. While maintaining the UNO shield-compatible world view, it also provides pathways for next-level expansion like cameras and displays.

Arduino UNO Q Oblique View (Port Area)
Ref: Arduino Store (EU) Product Page

USB-C is the only external port—power, peripherals, and video output all expand through a dongle. For SBC operation, "choosing your dongle is essentially choosing your I/O."

Conclusion

Arduino UNO Q is an SBC-oriented development board that combines the familiar expandability of the UNO form factor with an MPU capable of running Debian Linux. The philosophy of consolidating everything into a single USB-C is clear, making it suitable for PC-connected development or simple SBC operation via dongle.

It's ideal for those who want to use Linux apps, Python, and containers while offloading sensor and actuator control to the MCU side. Conversely, for those who want to directly leverage legacy 5V UNO shield assets or prefer "SBC-like I/O" with HDMI and wired LAN built in, this board may be too specialized.

Prices vary by region and timing, but the official store lists a 2GB RAM / 16GB eMMC variant. For standalone operation (keyboard, mouse, and display via dongle), the official FAQ recommends a 4GB RAM variant (noted as coming soon).

SellerPrice (Reference)
Arduino Store (EU)€47.58 (incl. VAT, as of 2025-12-29)
Arduino Store (US)$44.00 (as of 2025-12-29)