Comparison of Nordic Semiconductor nRF52/nRF53 Chipsets 2025Q1

Published:
  Lastmod: 2025-03-16
Decomposition & Comparison
by Ernest Chiang

(Illustration: A lot of hard work has been going on behind the scenes. Le Bouchon Ogasawara, Shibuya, Tokyo. Image source: Ernest)

tl;dr

  • nRF52832 is ideal for simpler BLE applications, while nRF52840 adds USB and advanced security for connectivity-focused products
  • nRF52833 introduces direction finding (AoA/AoD) capabilities, enabling location-based services and asset tracking applications
  • nRF5340’s dual-core architecture enables complex multi-protocol applications while maintaining critical real-time performance
  • Security capabilities increase dramatically from basic AES encryption in nRF52832 to comprehensive security (TrustZone, CryptoCell, secure boot) in nRF5340
  • Development migration requires minimal effort within the nRF52 series, but moving to nRF53 requires significant code refactoring due to the architectural changes

1️⃣ General Specifications and Positioning

  • Release year/date
  • Series and positioning
  • Target market segments
  • Core features highlight
  • Operating temperature range
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Release year2016201920182020
SeriesnRF52 SeriesnRF52 SeriesnRF52 SeriesnRF53 Series
PositioningMid-range BLE SoCAdvanced connectivity SoCFeature-rich SoCDual-core wireless SoC
Core features highlightBluetooth 5, ARM Cortex-M4F, ThreadBluetooth 5.1, AoA/AoD, ARM Cortex-M4FBluetooth 5, USB, ARM Cortex-M4F, Thread, ZigbeeDual Cortex-M33 cores, Bluetooth 5.2, Thread, Zigbee
Operating temperature-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 105°C-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 105°C

2️⃣ Processor and Performance

  • CPU architecture
  • Clock frequency
  • FPU support
  • DSP capabilities
  • Performance metrics
    • CoreMark scores
    • Power efficiency (CoreMark/MHz)
    • Energy efficiency (CoreMark/mA)
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
CPU architectureARM Cortex-M4ARM Cortex-M4ARM Cortex-M4Application core:
ARM Cortex-M33
Network core:
ARM Cortex-M33
Clock frequency64 MHz64 MHz64 MHzApplication core:
128/64 MHz
Network core:
64 MHz
FPUYesYesYesYes (both cores)
DSP capabilitiesYesYesYesYes (both cores)
CoreMark score215 (flash)217 (flash)212 (flash)514 (Application core)
Power efficiency3.36 CoreMark/MHz3.4 CoreMark/MHz3.3 CoreMark/MHz4.0 CoreMark/MHz
Energy efficiency58 CoreMark/mA65.8 CoreMark/mA64 CoreMark/mAN/A
Additional features---TrustZone support (Application core)

3️⃣ Memory Configuration

  • Flash memory size
  • RAM size
  • Cache configuration
  • Memory protection features
  • QSPI/XIP capabilities
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Flash memory size512 KB / 256 KB (variant dependent)512 KB1 MBApplication core:
1 MB
Network core:
256 KB
RAM size64 KB / 32 KB (variant dependent)128 KB256 KBApplication core:
512 KB
Network core:
64 KB
Cache configurationInstruction cacheInstruction cacheInstruction cache2-way set associative cache (Application core)
Direct mapped cache (Network core)
Memory protectionBlock protectAccess control lists (ACL)Access control lists (ACL)System protection unit (SPU)
QSPI/XIP capabilitiesNoNoYes
(32 MHz QSPI)		Yes
(QSPI with on-the-fly encryption)
Page size4 KB4 KB4 KBApplication core: 4 KB
Network core: 2 KB
Endurance10,000
write/erase
cycles		10,000
write/erase
cycles		10,000
write/erase
cycles		10,000
write/erase
cycles
Retention10 years at 85°C10 years at 85°C10 years at 85°C10 years at 85°C

4️⃣ Radio and Connectivity

  • Supported protocols
    • Bluetooth version support
    • IEEE 802.15.4 support
    • Proprietary protocols
  • RF performance
    • Sensitivity
    • Output power range
    • Current consumption (TX/RX)
  • Direction finding capabilities
    • AoA/AoD support
    • Antenna switching features
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Bluetooth Support
Bluetooth version5.05.15.05.2
BLE data rates2 Mbps, 1 Mbps2 Mbps, 1 Mbps, 500 kbps, 125 kbps2 Mbps, 1 Mbps, 500 kbps, 125 kbps2 Mbps, 1 Mbps, 500 kbps, 125 kbps
Other Protocols
IEEE 802.15.4NoYesYesYes
ThreadNoYesYesYes
ZigbeeNoYesYesYes
Proprietary 2.4 GHzYes
(1 Mbps)		Yes
(1 Mbps, 2 Mbps)		Yes
(1 Mbps, 2 Mbps)		Yes
(1 Mbps, 2 Mbps)
RF Performance
Sensitivity (1 Mbps BLE)-96 dBm-96 dBm-95 dBm-98 dBm
Sensitivity (Long Range)N/A-103 dBm (125 kbps)-103 dBm (125 kbps)-104 dBm (125 kbps)
Output power range-20 to +4 dBm-20 to +8 dBm-20 to +8 dBm-40 to +3 dBm
TX current (0 dBm)5.3 mA4.9 mA4.8 mA4.8 mA
RX current5.4 mA4.6 mA4.6 mA2.6 mA
Direction Finding
Angle of Arrival (AoA)NoYesNoYes
Angle of Departure (AoD)NoYesNoYes
Antenna switchingNoYesNoYes

5️⃣ Power Management

  • Supply voltage range
  • Power modes
  • Current consumption in different modes
    • System OFF
    • System ON idle
    • Different sleep modes
  • Power regulators
    • DC/DC converter
    • LDO options
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Supply Voltage
Supply voltage range1.7V - 3.6V1.7V - 5.5V1.7V - 5.5V1.7V - 5.5V
Power Modes
System ON modesConstant latency, Low powerConstant latency, Low powerConstant latency, Low powerConstant latency, Low power
System OFF modeYesYesYesYes
Force-OFF modeN/AN/AN/AYes
(Network core)
Current Consumption (Typical)
System OFF (no RAM retention)0.4 µA0.6 µA0.4 µA0.9 µA
System OFF (full RAM retention)0.7 µAN/A1.5 µA2.4 µA
(512 kB app + 64 kB network)
System ON idle (no RAM retention)1.9 µA1.5 µA1.5 µA1.3 µA
Running from flash (DC/DC)3.7 mA3.7 mA3.7 mAN/A
Power Regulators
DC/DC converterYesYesYesYes
LDOYesYesYesYes
Advanced power managementYesYesYesYes
Automated peripheral power managementYesYesYesYes

6️⃣ Security Features

  • Hardware security
    • TrustZone support
    • CryptoCell version
    • Root of Trust
  • Cryptographic accelerators
  • Access protection mechanisms
  • Secure boot capabilities
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Hardware Security
TrustZone supportNoNoYesYes
CryptoCellNoNoCryptoCell 310CryptoCell 312
Root of TrustNoNoYesYes
Cryptographic Capabilities
AESYes (ECB, CCM)Yes (ECB, CCM)Yes (ECB, CBC, CMAC/CBC-MAC, CTR, CCM/CCM*)Yes (ECB, CBC, CMAC/CBC-MAC, CTR, CCM/CCM*, GCM)
Hash algorithmsNoNoSHA-1, SHA-256SHA-1, SHA-2 up to 256 bits
Public key cryptographyNoNoRSA up to 2048-bit, ECCRSA up to 3072 bits, ECC
Secure random number generatorYesYesNIST SP800-90A/B compliantNIST 800-90B, AIS-31, FIPS 140-2 compliant
Key managementNoNoDerived key modelDerived key model
Access Protection
Flash access controlBlock protectAccess control listsAccess control listsSystem protection unit (SPU)
Debug port protectionYes
(APPROTECT)		Yes
(APPROTECT)		Yes
(APPROTECT)		Yes
(CTRL-AP)
Secure bootNoSecure boot readySecure boot readySecure boot ready
Secure firmware updatesNoNoYesYes

7️⃣ Interfaces and Peripherals

  • GPIO count
  • Digital interfaces
    • SPI/SPIM/SPIS
    • I²C/TWI
    • UART/UARTE
    • USB
    • I²S
  • Analog peripherals
    • ADC specifications
    • Comparators
    • Temperature sensor
  • Other peripherals
    • PWM
    • Timers and counters
    • QDEC
    • NFC
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
GPIO
GPIO pins32424848
Digital Interfaces
SPI/SPIM instances3445
SPIS instances3334
I²C/TWI instances2224
UART/UARTE instances1224
USBNoYes
(2.0 full speed)		Yes
(2.0 full speed)		Yes
(2.0 full speed)
I²SYesYesYesYes
PDM (microphone)YesYesYesYes
QSPINoNoYes (32 MHz)Yes
Analog Peripherals
ADC12-bit, 200 ksps, 8 channels12-bit, 200 ksps, 8 channels12-bit, 200 ksps, 8 channels12-bit, 200 ksps, 8 channels
Comparator (COMP)YesYesYesYes
Low-power comparator (LPCOMP)YesYesYesYes
Temperature sensorYesYesYesYes
Other Peripherals
PWM units3444
Timers5 (32-bit)5 (32-bit)5 (32-bit)5 (32-bit)
Real-time counters (RTC)3333
Watchdog timerYesYesYesYes
Quadrature decoder (QDEC)YesYesYesYes (2)
Random number generatorYesYesYesYes
NFCYes (Type 2 Tag)Yes (Type 2 Tag)Yes (Type 2 Tag)Yes (Type 2 Tag)
Programmable peripheral interconnectPPIPPIPPIDPPI

8️⃣ Package Options and Physical Characteristics

  • Available packages
  • Dimensions
  • Pin/ball count
  • Thermal characteristics
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Available Packages
QFNQFN48 (6x6 mm)QFN40 (5x5 mm)QFN48 (6x6 mm)-
aQFN-aQFN73 (7x7 mm)aQFN73 (7x7 mm)aQFN94 (7x7 mm)
WLCSPWLCSP (3.0x3.2 mm)WLCSP (3.175x3.175 mm)WLCSP (3.544x3.607 mm)WLCSP95 (4.4x4.0 mm)
Dimensions
Smallest package3.0x3.2 mm (WLCSP)3.175x3.175 mm (WLCSP)3.544x3.607 mm (WLCSP)4.4x4.0 mm (WLCSP)
Pin/Ball Count
QFN484048-
aQFN-737394
WLCSP56495695
Thermal Characteristics
Operating temperature-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 105°C-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 105°C
Storage temperature-40°C to 125°C-40°C to 125°C-40°C to 125°C-40°C to 125°C

9️⃣ Applications and Use Cases

  • IoT applications
  • Wearable devices
  • Smart home products
  • Industrial applications
  • Healthcare and fitness devices
  • Audio applications
  • Computer peripherals
  • Gaming controllers
  • Location-based services
CategorynRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
IoT Applications
Smart homeYesYesYesYes
Industrial IoTLimitedYesYesYes
Sensor networksYesYesYesYes
Wearable Devices
Health/fitness trackersYesYesYesYes
SmartwatchesYesYesYesYes
Medical devicesYesYesYesYes
Audio Applications
Wireless earbudsLimitedYesYesYes
Wireless headphonesLimitedYesYesYes
Microphones and speakersYesYesYesYes
Computer Peripherals
KeyboardsYesYesYesYes
MouseYesYesYesYes
Multi-touch trackpadsYesYesYesYes
Other Categories
Gaming controllersYesYesYesYes
Remote controlsYesYesYesYes
Location servicesLimitedYes
(with direction finding)		LimitedYes
(with direction finding)
Payment devicesLimitedLimitedYesYes
BeaconsYesYesYesYes
Wireless chargingLimitedLimitedYesYes
Suitability for Complex Applications
Multi-protocol applicationsLimitedGoodVery goodExcellent
Security-critical applicationsLimitedLimitedGoodExcellent
Processing-intensive applicationsGoodGoodGoodExcellent
Ultra-low power applicationsVery goodVery goodVery goodExcellent

✴️ Development Ecosystem

  • SDK support
  • SoftDevice options
  • Development tools
  • Backward compatibility
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
SDK Support
nRF5 SDKYesYesYesLimited
nRF Connect SDKLimitedYesYesYes
Zephyr RTOSYesYesYesYes
SoftDevice Options
S112 (Bluetooth peripheral)YesYesYesNo
S113 (Bluetooth peripheral + central)YesYesYesNo
S132 (Bluetooth full stack)YesYesNoNo
S140 (Bluetooth full stack)NoYesYesNo
S340 (Bluetooth + Thread)NoNoYesNo
SoftDevice ControllerNoNoNoYes
Development Tools
nRF Connect for DesktopYesYesYesYes
SEGGER Embedded StudioYesYesYesYes
GCC, IAR, Keil supportYesYesYesYes
nRF Command Line ToolsYesYesYesYes
nRF52 DKYesYesNoNo
nRF52833 DKNoYesNoNo
nRF52840 DKNoNoYesNo
nRF5340 DKNoNoNoYes
Debug Capabilities
SWDYesYesYesYes
Trace portYesYesYesYes
Real-time traceYesYesYesYes
Memory watchpoint unitsYesYesYesYes

🚧 Migration and Upgrade Path

  • Pin compatibility
  • Software portability
  • Feature migration considerations
FeaturenRF52832nRF52833nRF52840nRF5340
Hardware Compatibility
Pin compatibilityBaselinePartial with nRF52832Not compatible with nRF52832Not compatible with nRF52 series
Radio compatibilityOn-air compatible with nRF51, nRF24L, nRF24APOn-air compatible with nRF52, nRF51, nRF24L, nRF24APOn-air compatible with nRF52, nRF51, nRF24L, nRF24APOn-air compatible with nRF52, nRF51, nRF24L, nRF24AP
Software Portability
Code portability from nRF52832-HighModerateLow
Code portability from nRF51 seriesModerateModerateModerateLow
Feature Considerations
Enhanced radio featuresNoYes
(Direction finding)		Yes
(Long range, higher output power)		Yes
(Direction finding, better sensitivity)
Enhanced CPU performanceNoNoNoYes (Dual-core, higher clock)
Enhanced securityNoNoYes
(CryptoCell 310)		Yes
(CryptoCell 312, TrustZone)
Enhanced memoryNoYes
(More RAM)		Yes
(More RAM and flash)		Yes
(More RAM and flash)
Enhanced interfacesNoYes
(More peripherals)		Yes
(USB, QSPI)		Yes
(More peripherals)
Migration Challenges
Code refactoring need-MinimalModerateSignificant
Hardware redesign need-Minimal to moderateSignificantSignificant
Power management changes-MinimalMinimalModerate
Recommended Migration Path
From nRF51 seriesDirect migrationVia nRF52832Via nRF52832Via nRF52840
From nRF52832-Direct migrationDirect migrationVia nRF52840

ℹ️ Reference