'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Flipper Zero: Geeky toy or serious security tool?
It looks like a toy!
I've been asked a lot about Flipper Zero.
It started when it was first put up for crowdfunding in the summer of 2020. Since there are so many crowdfunded things out there that basically die on the vine, I overlooked it. But dreams turned into reality, and I kept getting asked with increasing frequency until late last year I took steps to acquire one.
Also: Flipper Zero FAQ: 'Can you really hack Wi-Fi networks?' and other questions answered
And, after some delays, shipping issues, and the holidays, I finally have it.
My very own Flipper Zero.
Flipper Zero tech specs
- ARM Cortex-M4 32-bit 64 MHz (application processor)
- ARM Cortex-M0+ 32 MHz (network processor)
- Flash: 1024 KB
- SRAM: 256 KB
- 1.4-inch 128 x 64 LCD monochrome display
- 5-button joystick with back button
- 2000 mAh rechargeable battery
- Sub-1 GHz frequencies: 315 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz and 915 MHz (depending on regions)
- 13.56 MHz NFC
- 125 kHz RFID
- 18 GPIO connector
- Infrared (TX/RX range: 800-950 nm, TX power: 300 mW)
- iButton 1-Wire support (Dallas DS1990A/CYFRAL compatible)
- USB 2.0 port, type C
Flipper Zero
It looks like a kid's toy, all plastic and brightly colored (remember Tamagotchis, those digital pets that would die or turn evil if you neglected them?), but underneath the fun exterior and the dolphin virtual pet is a dual-core ARM processor that powers hardware that can be used to hack the planet.
Or so claims the cute virtual dolphin on the sticker that came with the Flipper Zero.
Hack the planet!
OK, but what can the Flipper Zero do?
Quite a lot.
There's a built-in infrared transceiver that can both capture and transmit IR codes to control things like TVs.
Built-in infrared transceiver
There's a sub-GHz wireless antenna that can again capture and transmit wireless codes to operate wireless devices and access control systems, such as garage door remotes, boom barriers, IoT sensors and even remote keyless systems.
It can read, store, and emulate EM-4100 and HID Prox RFID cards.
Reading NFC with the Flipper Zero
It can read, write, store, and emulate NFC tags.
On the front, there's a 1-Wire connector that can read and emulate iButton (aka DS1990A, CYFRAL, Touch Memory or Dallas key) contact keys.
1-Wire connector
Finally, on the top there are GPIO connectors that allow the flipper Zero to connect to other gadgets in the real world.
GPIO pins
Wi-Fi development bard connected to GPIO connector
For storage, there's a microSD card slot that will take a card that you must supply yourself.
That's a lot in such a small package.
Everything is controlled using the 5-way touchpad and a back button, and the 1.4-inch 128 x 64 display is ample to keep you informed.
Keeping everything running is a 2,000-mAh rechargeable battery that's good enough for a week or so before needing a recharge.
While I've tested some of the features – and everything seems to work great – it's going to take me some time and experimentation to see how useful these features are in the real world (while staying legal).
Lots of functionality in a small package
For $169, the Flipper Zero is very interesting. While it's not going to be a substitute for high-end pentesting tools, it offers a lot of power in a very small and portable package. It's certainly not a toy, and it's one of the easiest, cheapest ways to work with RFIC and NFC.
Also: This $10 plastic film helps me detect counterfeit items
I'm going to do more Flipper Zero testing over the coming days, and I will post more thoughts on the value of it soon.
As for buying the Flipper Zero, well, it's hit-and-miss. The official US site is often sold out (the store gets restocked often, so keep an eye out), and if you are in a hurry to get one you can find them on third-party sites, but you will pay more for your Flipper Zero this way.