Nordic Semiconductor launched its nRF54L Series in April 2023 as a wireless platform for IoT devices. Now, the company is expanding the same nRF54L series with the launch of two new entry-level Bluetooth LE SoCs - the nRF54LS05A and the nRF54LS05B, targeting cost-sensitive IoT applications. This launch was announced at the Embedded World 2026 on March 9. These ultra-low-power chips are designed to bring the core benefits of the nRF54 platform, such as reliable Bluetooth LE connectivity and highly efficient power consumption. This move from Nordic aligns with an industry trend of addressing both high-performance and budget-friendly use cases.
The new SoCs are optimized for applications like sensors, asset tags, beacons, remote controls, and certain PC peripherals, where low power consumption and a reduced bill of materials are critical. Both devices feature a 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor, Nordic’s fourth-generation Bluetooth LE radio, and 0.5 MB of non-volatile memory, with RAM options of 64 KB and 96 KB. They can function either as standalone wireless controllers or as companion chips in multi-chip architectures, offering flexibility for modular product designs.
A key highlight of this release is full compatibility with Nordic’s existing software ecosystem, including the nRF Connect SDK and a certified Bluetooth LE stack. This ensures developers can reuse software, certifications, and development workflows across the nRF54L family, reducing time-to-market. Another notable advantage is pin compatibility across select variants, meaning they feature similar pinouts and footprints that match comparable ICs from Nordic. Additionally, they support cloud-based services such as device management and firmware updates, providing a scalable pathway for developers building next-generation IoT products.
