A Generational Leap in Low-Power IoT: A Comprehensive Comparison of Nordic's nRF54L and nRF52 Series in Power and Performance

[Taiwan, August 15, 2025]

 

    In the flourishing wave of the Internet of Things (IoT), low-power wireless technology has become a core driving force. The performance and energy efficiency of the chip, which serves as the device's brain, directly determine a product's battery life, response speed, and functional limits. For a long time, Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52 series has been one of the most popular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) solutions on the market, known for its excellent balance. However, as application scenarios become increasingly complex, the demand for high performance and ultra-low power has grown. In response, Nordic has introduced the next-generation nRF54L series, heralding a generational leap in technology. This article will delve into a detailed comparison of the nRF54L and nRF52 series, analyzing the revolutionary advancements of the new chip from processing power and energy efficiency to overall design philosophy, and assessing how it is poised to redefine the design standards for future low-power IoT.

 

 

1.  SoC Specifications Comparison

 

 

 

1.1 Processor

·  nRF54L: Features a 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor.

·  nRF52: Features a 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M4 processor.

     The nRF54L's processor frequency is twice that of the nRF52 (128 MHz vs. 64 MHz), and it utilizes the more advanced Arm Cortex-M33 architecture. The Cortex-M33 supports TrustZone technology and generally outperforms the older Cortex-M4 in both performance and power consumption.

 

1.2 Memory (NVM & RAM)

·  nRF54L:

o NVM (Non-Volatile Memory): Up to 1.5 MB.

o RAM (Random-Access Memory): Up to 256 KB.

·  nRF52:

o NVM: Up to 1 MB.

o RAM: Up to 256 KB.

 

     The nRF54L offers an increased non-volatile memory capacity, from 1 MB to 1.5 MB. This provides more space for complex applications, firmware, data storage, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. While both have the same RAM capacity, the nRF54L's more powerful processor may lead to more efficient RAM management and utilization.

 

1.3 Wireless Communication

·  Bluetooth LE version: Both support 6.0.

·  Bluetooth Channel Sounding: nRF54L supports it; nRF52 does not.

·  TX power (Transmit Power): Both can reach up to 8 dBm.

·  RX sensitivity (Receive Sensitivity):

o nRF54L: -96 dBm

o nRF52: Down to -97 dBm

 

     Both the nRF54L and nRF52 support the latest Bluetooth 6.0 standard and have the same transmit power. However, a significant new feature in the nRF54L is Bluetooth Channel Sounding, a new technology for precise distance measurement. This is crucial for applications requiring high-accuracy positioning, such as digital keys and asset tracking. In terms of receive sensitivity, the nRF52 appears to have a slight edge (a smaller value is better), but the difference is minimal, so their wireless performance can be considered comparable.

 

1.4 Coprocessor

·  nRF54L: Includes an integrated 128 MHz RISC-V coprocessor.

·  nRF52: Not applicable (N/A).

 

This is a major new feature of the nRF54L series. In addition to the main Arm Cortex-M33 processor, it includes a high-performance RISC-V coprocessor. This coprocessor can independently or in conjunction with the main processor handle specific, computationally intensive tasks (e.g., cryptography, sensor data processing), offloading the main processor and further boosting overall performance and energy efficiency.

 

1.5 Peripherals & Features

·  Highlighted digital interfaces:

o nRF54L: High-speed SPI/UART.

o nRF52: High-speed SPI, 12 Mbps USB, QSPI.

·  Highlighted peripherals:

o nRF54L: 14-bit ADC, Global RTC.

o nRF52: 12-bit ADC.

 

    The nRF54L's Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) precision has been upgraded from the nRF52's 12-bit to 14-bit. This allows for more precise analog signal measurement, which is vital for high-accuracy sensor applications. The nRF54L also adds a Global RTC (Real-Time Clock), which helps synchronize timing across systems. While the nRF52 supports USB and QSPI, the nRF54L's new features are more focused on enhancing core computation and sensor data processing capabilities.

 

1.6 Security

·  Isolation: Both support TrustZone.

·  Cryptographic accelerator:

o nRF54L: Yes, with side-channel leakage protection.

o nRF52: Yes.

·  Tamper detectors: nRF54L supports them; nRF52 does not.

 

    Security has been significantly enhanced in the nRF54L. While both use TrustZone for hardware-level security isolation, the nRF54L's cryptographic accelerator includes "side-channel leakage protection" to defend against more advanced attack vectors. Furthermore, the nRF54L has integrated "tamper detectors" to sense physical attacks and take countermeasures, a critical feature for applications with strict security requirements in finance, industrial, and high-end medical sectors.

 

1.7 General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIOs)

·  nRF54L: Up to 32.

·  nRF52: Up to 48.

 

The nRF52 has more GPIOs than the nRF54L. This suggests that the nRF52 may offer greater flexibility for applications that need to connect to a large number of external peripherals or expand multiple interfaces.

 

2.   Power Consumption Comparison of nRF54L Series' 4th Gen 2.4 GHz Radio

 

 

The bar charts clearly illustrate the difference in current consumption between the Transmit and Receive modes.

 

2.1 Transmit Mode Power Consumption Comparison

This chart compares the current consumption of the nRF54L and nRF52 at different transmit power levels (0 dBm, +4 dBm, +8 dBm) at a voltage of 3.0V.

 

·  0 dBm Transmit Power: nRF54L's current consumption is 22% lower than nRF52.

·  +4 dBm Transmit Power: nRF54L's current consumption is 38% lower than nRF52.

·  +8 dBm Transmit Power: nRF54L's current consumption is 39% lower than nRF52.

 

     The nRF54L's power consumption is significantly lower than the nRF52 when transmitting a wireless signal. The reduction is particularly impressive at higher power levels (+4 dBm and +8 dBm), reaching up to 39%. This demonstrates a huge leap in the energy efficiency of the nRF54L's radio module, enabling a substantial extension of a device's battery life while maintaining the same or higher signal strength.

 

2.2 Receive Mode Power Consumption Comparison

 

This chart compares the current consumption of the nRF54L and nRF52 in receive mode.

·  Receive Mode: nRF54L's current consumption is 49% lower than nRF52.

 

     The nRF54L's power performance in receive mode is exceptionally good, with current consumption almost half that of the nRF52. This advantage is crucial for IoT devices that spend most of their time in a low-power listening state, such as sensors waiting for commands or data. The extremely low receive power consumption significantly reduces the device's static power draw, thereby drastically extending its overall battery life. The chart powerfully demonstrates the nRF54L series' immense advantage in radio communication power consumption.

 

·  Low Transmit Power: When transmitting data, the nRF54L can save up to 39% of power.

·  Extremely Low Receive Power: When receiving data, power consumption is reduced by almost half—a decisive advantage for most devices in a low-power standby state.

 

3. Performance and Power Consumption Comparison

 

 

3.1 Differential Analysis

 

·  Processing Power:

o nRF54L: Possesses over two times the processing power of the nRF52. With a CoreMark score of 505 compared to the nRF52's 212, the nRF54L can complete the same tasks faster and handle more complex algorithms or data.

o nRF52: Has a weaker processing capability, with a CoreMark score of 212, about 42% of the nRF54L's.

 

·  Processing Efficiency & Power Consumption:

o nRF54L: Is more than three times as efficient as the nRF52.

 

·  The CoreMark/mA value for the nRF54L is 208, far higher than the nRF52's 64. This indicates that the nRF54L can complete more computational work per unit of current consumed, demonstrating very high energy utilization.

 

·  The uA/MHz value for the nRF54L is 19, much lower than the nRF52's 52. This means the nRF54L has lower power consumption at the same clock frequency.

o nRF52: Has lower processing efficiency and requires more current to perform the same tasks.

 

·  Workload Execution Time & Average Power:

o nRF54L: Due to its high processing power and efficiency, it completes a fixed workload in less time. Despite a potentially higher peak current during active time, its "active time" is shorter, leading to a lower average power consumption (as shown by the dashed red line in the chart) than the nRF52.

o nRF52: Requires more time to complete the same workload. While its peak current might be similar to the nRF54L's, the longer "active time" results in a higher average power consumption.

 

3.2 Pros and Cons Comparison

 

Feature	nRF54L	nRF52
Processing Power	Advantage: Strong performance with a CoreMark score of 505. Ideal for applications requiring complex and fast processing, such as AI or machine learning on the edge.	Disadvantage: Weaker performance, with a CoreMark score of 212. May not meet the needs of high-performance applications.
Energy Efficiency	Advantage: Exceptional power performance, with over three times the processing efficiency. It saves significant power on the same tasks, making it ideal for battery-powered IoT devices needing long life.	Disadvantage: Lower energy efficiency. The same task requires more power and time.
Average Power	Advantage: With shorter "active time," its average power consumption is significantly lower than the nRF52, making it an ideal choice for low-power applications.	Disadvantage: Higher average power consumption due to longer "active time," which can be detrimental to applications requiring long battery life.
Market Position & Tech Generation	Advantage: As a new-generation product, it represents Nordic's latest technological breakthrough, offering a more advanced architecture and performance.	Disadvantage: As an older product series, its technology architecture is relatively outdated, and its performance and power metrics are not as good as the new product.
Maturity & Ecosystem	Disadvantage: As a new product, its ecosystem, development tools, and community support might be less rich in the initial phase compared to the nRF52.	Advantage: As a widely used chip in the market, its ecosystem is very mature, with a large number of developers, design examples, and technical support resources.
Cost	Disadvantage: As a new generation, high-performance chip, its unit price could be higher than the nRF52 series.	Advantage: As an older product, its production cost and market price are generally lower, making it attractive for cost-sensitive applications.

 

 

Conclusion

      The nRF54L represents a revolutionary leap in performance and power consumption. It comprehensively surpasses the nRF52 in processing power and energy efficiency, making it particularly suitable for next-generation IoT applications that demand high-performance computing and ultra-low power, such as wearables, smart sensors, and medical devices. Its key advantage lies in completing tasks in less time and significantly extending battery life.

The nRF52, on the other hand, is a mature and cost-effective solution. While it falls short of the nRF54L in performance and power, its well-established ecosystem and lower cost keep it competitive in many cost-sensitive applications where performance requirements are not as demanding.

       In short, if your product seeks leading performance and ultimate battery life with a sufficient budget, the nRF54L is the better choice. If your product only needs basic wireless communication and cost is the primary consideration, then the nRF52 remains a reliable and economical option.

 

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Edited by Intl. Commercial Development Manager: Mr. Tim Chien

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