How to find out what processor is in an Android radio: from standard settings to the engineering menu

Android radios have long ceased to be simple music players - now they are full-fledged multimedia centers with support for navigation, video players and even games. However, when choosing firmware, optimizing performance, or diagnosing problems, a critical question arises: what processor is installed in the device? Compatibility with firmware, the possibility of overclocking, support for certain codecs, and even stability of operation under high loads depend on this.

The problem is that radio manufacturers rarely indicate the exact model of the chipset in the documentation or on the case. Most often, on the nameplate you can only find a general series (for example, Rockchip RK3399 or Allwinner T8), but not a specific revision or clock frequency. In this article we will analyze all current methods for determining the processor - from standard Android tools to low-level commands that work even on “Chinese” radios without root access. The methods have been tested on devices Pumpkin, Xtrons, Joying, Dasaita and other popular brands produced in 2018–2026.

Important: if your radio is running on highly customized firmware (for example, from Malaysk or Hal9k Mod), some menu items may differ. In this case, methods through ADB or third-party utilities have priority.

1. Standard Android settings: where to look for information about the processor

Let's start with the simplest thing - the built-in system tools. Even if the manufacturer has hidden some of the data, basic information about the processor can be retrieved through the menu Settings.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen or in the notification panel).
2. Go to section About phone (sometimes called About tablet or About device).
3. Find item Software information or Hardware information.
4. Look for lines like Processor model, Chipset or SoC.

What you can see:

• 🔹 Full name of the chipset (for example, Rockchip RK3566 or Allwinner H616).
• 🔹 Number of cores (for example, Quad-Core or Octa-Core).
• 🔹 Architecture (ARMv7, ARMv8, x86 - this is critical for choosing firmware!).
• 🔹 Clock frequency (for example, 1.6 GHz), but it may not be displayed correctly on custom firmware.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ On some radios (especially cheap ones), the section About device may contain only general information without details about the processor.
• ⚠️ Manufacturers often disguise the real chipset model under marketing names (for example, "Quad-Core Cortex-A53" instead of a specific one Rockchip RK3328).

2. Diagnostic applications: which show the processor more accurately

If standard settings do not produce results, third-party ones will come to the rescue utilities. They analyze system files and display detailed information about the hardware. Important: some applications require root access, but we will focus on those that work without them.

Top 5 applications for Android radios:

How to use (for example AIDA64):

1. Install the application from Google Play or using APK (if Play Market is unavailable).
2. Open the section CPU.
3. Pay attention to the lines:
   • Processor —chipset model (for example, Rockchip RK3399).
   • Architecture —architecture (ARMv8 means 64-bit processor).
   • Cores —number of cores and their configuration (for example, 4x Cortex-A72 + 2x Cortex-A53).

Is the processor model defined in the CPU section|

Does the architecture match the firmware requirements|

Is the processor temperature shown (if yes, you can monitor overheating)|

Is there information about the GPU (important for the video player)-->

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: On some radios with firmware from MTCD or Unitcar applications may show an incorrect processor model. In this case, cross-check the data through 2-3 utilities.

⚠️ Attention: If the application requires it. root access to obtain complete information, but you do not have them - do not agree to “workaround” methods (for example, through vulnerabilities). This may lead to firmware failure.

3. ADB commands: how to find the processor through a computer

If the radio is not recognized by diagnostic applications or you if you suspect that the data is tampered with by the firmware, this will help. Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a connection to a PC, but provides 100% accurate information about the processor.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original, "Chinese" ones may not transfer data).
• 🛠️ Installed ADB drivers (you can download from the Android Studio website).
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the radio.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Enable USB debugging on the radio:
   • Go to Settings → About device.
   • Click on Build numberuntil the "You have become a developer" notification appears.
   • Return to the main settings menu, open For developers.
   • Activate USB debugging.

adb devices

adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfo

adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi

What do the key lines in output:

• Processor —chipset model (for example, ARMv7 Processor rev 4 (v7l) means ARMv7 architecture).
• BogoMIPS —an indirect indicator of performance (not the exact frequency!).
• Hardware —sometimes contains the name of the platform (for example, rk30sdk for Rockchip).
• Serial — may contain manufacturer code (for example, allwinner).

If the command cat /proc/cpuinfo outputs too much data, use the filter:

adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep "Hardware\|Processor\|model name"

Standard Android settings|

Applications like CPU-Z|

ADB commands|

None of the above-->

4. Engineering menu: hidden codes for diagnostics

Many Android radios (especially on chipsets Rockchip and Allwinner) have hidden engineering menus where you can find detailed information about the processor. These menus are not documented, but work on most devices.

Enter methods:

• 📱 Dialing code: Open the standard telephone dialer and enter:
  • ##4636## — universal code for the test menu.
  • ##36446337## — for devices on Mediatek (rarely found in radio tape recorders).
  • ##83781## —for some firmware on Rockchip.
• 🔧 Through settings: On some radios (for example, Joying), the engineering menu is hidden in Settings → For developers → Engineering menu.

What to look for in the engineering menu menu:

• 🔍 Section Hardware Testing or Device Information —there may be a line CPU Model.
• 🔍 Tab Version Info —sometimes contains data about the platform (for example, rk3399_box).
• 🔍 Item CPU Stress Test —if it is there, then the chipset supports performance tests (often this is Rockchip or Amlogic).

Warning:

⚠️ Attention: On some radios (for example, with firmware Eonon GA9162), the engineering menu may be locked with a password. Do not try to guess it - after 3 incorrect attempts, the device may block access to the menu forever.

5. Firmware analysis: how to extract processor data from system files

If none of the previous methods worked, the last method remains - analyzing system files. This requires a little more effort, but gives 100% results.

What you need. do:

1. Connect the radio to the PC and copy the file /system/build.prop (you can use ADB Pull or a file manager with root access).
2. Open the file in any text editor (for example, Notepad++).
3. Find lines starting with:
   • ro.product.cpu.abi= — processor architecture (for example, arm64-v8a).
   • ro.hardware= —platform (for example, rk30sdk for Rockchip).
   • ro.chipname= —sometimes contains the exact name of the chipset.

Example content build.prop for radio on Allwinner H6:

ro.product.cpu.abi=arm64-v8a
ro.product.cpu.abilist=arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a,armeabi
ro.hardware=sun50iw9
ro.chipname=sun50iw9p1

Here sun50iw9 is the code name of the platform Allwinner H6.

Additional files for analysis:

• /proc/device-tree/compatible - contains a list of supported platforms.
• /system/vendor/build.prop - sometimes duplicates or supplements the data.

6. Visual inspection: how to identify the processor by the markings on the board

If the radio is collapsible (for example, Pumpkin Android 10 or Xtrons PB7868AP), you can try to identify the processor by the markings on the motherboard. This is an extreme method, as it requires opening the device, but sometimes only it gives an accurate result.

How to proceed:

1. Disconnect the radio from the power supply and carefully remove the top panel (usually it is secured with latches).
2. Find the motherboard - the processor is usually located under the radiator or metal cover.
3. Clean the board from dust (you can use a brush) and find the markings on the chipset. It may look like this:
   • RK3399 — Rockchip RK3399.
   • H6 V200 — Allwinner H6.
   • S905X3 — Amlogic S905X3.
   • MT8163 — Mediatek MT8163 (rarely found in radio tape recorders).

Warning:

⚠️ Attention: On some radios (for example, Dasaita MAX10), the processor may be hidden under thermal paste or soldered to the board. Do not try to disconnect it - this will damage the contacts!

If the markings are missing or erased, pay attention to:

• 🔧 Radiator: Processors Rockchip RK3399 and Amlogic S922X usually have large radiators due to high TDP.
• 🔧 Memory chip location: If there are microcircuits next to the processor LPDDR4most likely this is a modern chipset (for example, RK3566 or newer).

7. Determining the processor by radio model: databases and forums

If all the previous methods did not work, there is one last chance - searching by radio model. Many enthusiasts and service centers maintain databases linking device models to chipsets.

Where to look:

• 🌍 Official specifications: On manufacturers' websites (for example, Pumpkin or Joying) sometimes indicate the platform in the model description.
• 💬 Forums:
  • 4PDA (section "Car Radios") - there are topics with analysis of almost all popular models.
  • XDA Developers - especially useful for radios with Rockchip.
  • AVBY or Drive2 —Russian-language discussions with photos of the insides of devices.
• 📦 Reviews on YouTube: Many bloggers (for example, the "Android in Auto" channel) disassemble radios and show the chipset markings.

Example search query:

"Xtrons PB7868AP processor website: 4pda.ru"

What to do if there is no data:

• Ask on the forum, attaching a photo:
  • Appearance of the radio (front panel).
  • Screenshot of the section About the device from the settings.
  • Command output adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfo (if successful).
• Indicate the version of Android and firmware (for example, MCU MTCD v1.98).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about processors in Android radios