NXP i.MX 937 Cost-Effective Cortex-A55/M7/M33 MPU Is a Drop-In Replacement for NXP i.MX 95 SoC Family

Key Takeaways

• Pin‑to‑pin compatible with i.MX 95/952 families
• Quad‑core Cortex‑A55 up to 1.4 GHz
• Integrated 2 eTOPS NPU for edge AI
• Supports LPDDR5 up to 4,500 MT/s
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet with TSN and AVB

Summary

NXP announced the i.MX 937 MPU, a cost‑effective, drop‑in replacement for the i.MX 95/952 SoC family. It combines a quad‑core Cortex‑A55 up to 1.4 GHz, a 667 MHz Cortex‑M7, and a low‑power Cortex‑M33, plus a Mali‑G310 GPU, 1080p VPU, and a 2 eTOPS NPU for AI. The device supports LPDDR4x/LPDDR5, dual Gigabit Ethernet with TSN, and offers pin‑to‑pin compatibility with existing i.MX 95/952 footprints, easing migration. Availability is slated for Q1 2027 with a development board expected later in 2026.

Pulse Analysis

The embedded market is increasingly fragmented, with manufacturers needing a single silicon platform that can grow from modest HMI displays to sophisticated edge‑AI gateways. NXP’s i.MX 937 answers that call by slotting neatly between the entry‑level i.MX 93 and the premium i.MX 952, offering a familiar pin layout that eliminates costly PCB redesigns. This strategic positioning lets OEMs protect their existing investments while preparing for future performance spikes, a critical advantage in fast‑moving sectors like automotive infotainment and industrial control.

Beyond its form factor, the i.MX 937 packs a compelling mix of compute and acceleration resources. The quad‑core Cortex‑A55 delivers up to 1.4 GHz of general‑purpose processing, complemented by a dedicated Cortex‑M7 for real‑time tasks and a Cortex‑M33 for low‑power system management. The on‑chip Mali‑G310 GPU, 1080p H.264/H.265 VPU, and a 2 eTOPS NPU provide the graphics, video, and machine‑learning horsepower required for modern UI experiences and on‑device inference. Security is reinforced with EdgeLock Secure Enclave, Prime Accelerator, and post‑quantum cryptography support, aligning the chip with emerging automotive and IoT safety standards.

For developers, the i.MX 937 simplifies software migration by sharing the same Linux and Android BSPs used across the i.MX 95/952 family. This unified ecosystem reduces porting effort and accelerates time‑to‑market for new products. With a Q1 2027 silicon release and a development board slated for late 2026, the MPU is poised to become a go‑to solution for companies seeking cost‑effective scalability, robust AI capabilities, and future‑proof security in a single package.