The Mini Saves 16g. What Does the Full F405 Wing Buy You?
Quick Answer
The SpeedyBee F405 WING MINI is our pick for a compact conventional wing: it keeps the same processor, sensor set, six UARTs and 12 PWM outputs as the full board while cutting 16g. Choose the F405 WING APP when the power system, servos or accessories need its stronger and more flexible BEC arrangement.
The Mini Did Not Lose the Flight Controller
The names imply that the Mini is a cut-down controller. That is the wrong way to compare them. Both use an STM32F405 running at 168MHz with 1MB flash, an ICM-42688-P IMU, SPL006-001 barometer, AT7456E analogue OSD and a microSD slot for logs. Both support INAV and ArduPilot, provide six UARTs, one I2C bus, four ADC inputs and 12 PWM-capable outputs.
The real saving is packaging. SpeedyBee specifies the Mini at 37 × 26 × 14mm and 19g including its wireless USB extender. The full WING APP is 52 × 32 × 19mm and 35g with its extender. That 16g difference matters in a small foam wing where every connector, GPS mount and length of wire consumes the weight budget.
We stock both because they solve different installation problems, not because one replaces the other. For more context across the brand, our SpeedyBee F405 line-up explanation covers the multirotor boards as well as the full wing controller.
The Full Board Buys Power Headroom
| Feature | WING MINI | WING APP |
|---|---|---|
| Input | 7.4–26.4V (2–6S) | 7.4–36V (2–8S) |
| Current sensor | 80A continuous, 150A peak | 90A continuous, 215A peak |
| Servo BEC | 5V/6V, 4A continuous | 4.9V/6V/7.2V, 4.5A continuous |
| VTX supply | Battery voltage or shared 5V servo rail | Dedicated 5V/9V/12V rail, 1.8A continuous |
| Size and listed weight | 37 × 26 × 14mm, 19g | 52 × 32 × 19mm, 35g |
This is where the full board earns its space. Its dedicated VTX rail avoids making a digital video transmitter share the servo supply, while the selectable 7.2V servo output suits compatible high-voltage servos. Its PDB also has a higher published current-sensor ceiling. Those are useful margins on a larger aircraft; they are wasted mass if the wing has two modest servos and a light video system.
Our buying rule is simple: choose the Mini for space and mass; choose the full board for power distribution. Do not buy the larger controller merely because the aircraft has more control surfaces—both boards expose 12 PWM-capable outputs. Browse our fixed-wing aircraft range to judge the available fuselage space before ordering electronics.
What We Would Actually Fit
For a hand-launched wing or compact twin-servo airframe, we would start with the Mini and spend the saved mass on a properly mounted GPS or stronger control link. For a larger FPV platform, VTOL or aircraft carrying several power-hungry servos, the full WING APP is the safer foundation because its power rails are easier to budget and isolate.
Plan the complete electrical load before fitting either board. Our first fixed-wing FPV build article explains the wider airframe, motor, servo and video-system choices.
FAQ
Q: Does the F405 WING MINI have fewer UARTs or servo outputs?
A: No. Both manuals list six UARTs and 12 PWM-capable outputs. UART6 is assigned to the wireless connection on each board, so map every accessory before wiring.
Q: Can both boards run ArduPilot and INAV?
A: Yes. SpeedyBee lists the SpeedyBeeF405WING target for both. Firmware flashing still requires a computer; the wireless hardware is for configuration and telemetry, not wireless firmware flashing.
Q: Which one should I buy for a 6S wing?
A: A 6S pack falls within both boards' listed input ranges, but voltage alone does not decide it. Choose according to physical space, servo voltage, VTX supply and measured maximum current.