In fact, initial software support for the board is provided in the AOSP source tree based on the Android Common Kernel using the Linux 4.4 kernel release. Meanwhile, Linaro and Huawei are also working on the Linux 4.9 based Android Common kernel and maintaining support for the Kirin 960 SoC in the mainline kernel.org tree, allowing for the availability of multiple Linux distributions for this board in the future.
In addition, Huawei has released the source code with Linux and other open source libraries and programs for their Huawei Mate 9 / Mate 9 Pro and Huawei P10 / P10 Plus models powered by Hisilicon Kirin 960 processor. You can the source from Huawei open source page.
Full specifications of Hikey 960
- SOC: Kirin 960 octa-core CPU
- CPU: 4x Cortex-A53 cores to 1.8 GHz, 4x Cortex-A73 cores to 2.4 GHz
- GPU: Mali-G71 MP8 GPU
- Software: AOSP with 4.4 AOSP common kernel
- Storage: 32GB UFS 2.0 flash storage, MicroSD card
- Display interface: HDMI 1.2a up to 1080p plus 4-lane MIPI DSI
- USB: 1 x USB 2.0 type C OTG port, 2 x USB 3.0 type A host ports
- Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1 with on board antennas
- Camera: 1x 2-lane MIPI CSI, 1x 4-lane MIPI CSI
- IO extended interface: 40 pin low speed expansion connector +1.8V, +5V, DC power, GND, 2x UART, 2x I2C, SPI, I2S, 12x GPIO, 60 pin high speed expansion connector 4L MIPI DSI, 2L+4L MIPI CSI, 2x I2C, SPI (48M), USB 2.0, PCIe Gen2 on M.2 M Key connector
- MISC: 4x user LEDs, LEDs for WiFi & Bluetooth, Power button
- Power supply: 12V/2A power supply recommended, 8V-18V/2A via 4.75/1.7mm power barrel (EIAJ-3 Compliant)
- Dimensions: 85mm x 55mm
At this point, Hikey 960 is available for $239 on Amazon (USA), Seeed, Lenovator and many other stores.
Read more: ARM-Android open source platform for Linaro By Huawei