Impinj R700 Update: What Changed With the New R700v2
Impinj issued a Product Change Notification (PCN) on December 23, 2025 announcing a hardware revision to the Impinj R700 RAIN RFID Reader: R700v2. The update is focused on increasing on-reader computing and application capacity to support more demanding RAIN RFID edge use cases - while keeping the R700’s proven RF performance and mechanical design consistent with the original model.
If you’re sourcing new readers or planning a phased refresh, the key takeaway is simple: R700v2 adds a modern 64-bit platform and larger application memory, but introduces a few deployment requirements (notably power and firmware) that teams should account for before swapping units in the field.
What’s New in Impinj's R700v2?
R700v2 upgrades the internal platform to a dual-core 1 GHz 64-bit ARM A53 processor and moves to a 64-bit Linux 6.6 operating system. The biggest operational impact for solution teams is the jump in on-reader application capacity: R700v2 includes an expanded 768 MB Customer Application Partition (CAP) designed for larger, more complex embedded applications.
From a rollout perspective, R700v2 requires PoE+ and Impinj R700 firmware version 10.0 or newer. Impinj notes that firmware 10.0 and 10.1 are not compatible with R700v1, and that a unified firmware version intended to support both R700v1 and R700v2 is planned for early 2026.
Why It Matters for Deployments
For many RFID programs, the R700 is more than a reader - it’s a platform. The added 64-bit processing and increased CAP memory in R700v2 can help teams run richer edge logic directly on the device, reduce reliance on external computers, and support more sophisticated integrations over time.
At the same time, the update creates a practical checklist for IT/OT teams:
- Confirm PoE+ availability
- Plan a firmware strategy based on the reader version(s) in the field
- Prepare to rebuild applications for the 64-bit OS/toolchain (for CAP developers)
Key Differences: Impinj R700v1 vs. R700v2
| Feature | Impinj R700v1 | Impinj R700v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A7 (32-bit) | Dual-core 1 GHz ARM A53 (64-bit) |
| Operating System | Linux kernel 5.10 (32-bit) | Linux kernel 6.6 (64-bit) |
| Customer Application Partition (CAP) | 256 MB | 768 MB |
| Power Requirement | PoE (802.3af) supported | PoE+ (802.3at) required |
| Firmware Requirement | Varies by deployment | R700 firmware v10.0+ |
| RF + Mechanical Design | Enterprise-grade RAIN RFID performance | Unchanged vs. R700v1 |
| Availability | Existing deployments / legacy purchasing | Current production model shipping now |
Recommended Next Steps
- New purchases: Standardize on R700v2 unless you have a specific power or firmware constraint.
- Mixed fleets: Document which sites/devices are v1 vs. v2 and plan firmware updates accordingly.
- CAP users: Schedule time to rebuild/retest applications for the 64-bit OS before receiving v2 hardware.
- Power check: Validate PoE+ switch ports or plan PoE+ injectors for installs and retrofits.
For the latest configuration options and updated specifications for both versions, refer to the current Impinj R700 product page.
For more information about Impinj's R700v2 - contact us.
