The S7-1200 G2 has been out for a while now, and the questions are picking up. Should we migrate? When do we have to? What actually changes? Here's a straight answer to all of it.
The bottom line up front:
The G2 is the future of the S7-1200 platform. Siemens has announced that the first-generation S7-1200 will be phased out, with the transition timeline running through 2027. If you're specifying new machines or planning a hardware refresh, the G2 is where you should be starting. That said — not everyone should migrate right now. More on that below.
What's New in the G2
Smaller DIN RAIL Space
CPU 1212C drops from 90 mm to 70 mm. CPU 1214C drops from 110 mm to 80 mm. Overall station footprint is roughly 25% smaller. There is DIN rail width space savings but its slightly deeper and longer than the 1200 G1.
2x Faster Processing
Bit performance goes from 85 ns to 40 ns. Communication runs on a dedicated channel — PROFINET traffic no longer competes with your scan cycle. Supports up to 31 PROFINET devices with PROFINET IRT.
More Memory
CPU 1214C: 250 kB program / 750 kB data RAM. CPU 1214FC: 300 kB / 750 kB. The first-gen 1214C had 150 kB program memory. The 1215C topped out at 200 kB.
Integrated Motion Control
Single axis positioning, speed control, torque limiting, coordinated axes (gearing & camming), and simple kinematics — built into every G2 CPU. Up to 4 positioning axes per CPU.
Safety Without Extra License
Starting with TIA Portal V21, fail-safe engineering is included in STEP 7 Basic. No separate Safety Basic license needed. See Q&A below before planning a safety migration.
NFC Built In
Read diagnostics, set IP addresses, and check cycle times from a mobile device using the SIMATIC NFC App — no laptop required. App available only in iOS.
Technical Advantages at a Glance
Here's how the G2 stacks up against the first-generation S7-1200 across key specs:
| Feature |
S7-1200 |
S7-1200 G2 |
| NFC Functionality | No | Yes |
|---|
| Web API | Subset | Full support |
|---|
| DHCP / DNS | No | Yes |
|---|
| Motion Control | Basic (single axes only) | Enhanced (coordinated axes & kinematics) |
|---|
| PROFINET IRT | No | Yes |
|---|
| Max PROFINET Devices | 16 | 31 |
|---|
| Processing Unit | Single-core (serial) | Multi-core (parallel processing) |
|---|
| Wiring Concept | Screw terminals | Push-in terminals |
|---|
| DIN Rail Space | 90–150 mm (CPU 1211–1217) | 70 mm / 80 mm (CPU 1212 / 1214) |
|---|
| Signal Board Slots | 1 for all CPUs | 1 (CPU 1212) • 2 (CPU 1214) |
|---|
| Memory — CPU 1212 | 75–150 kB RAM program & data | 150/200 kB program • 500 kB data |
|---|
| Memory — CPU 1214 | 150–250 kB RAM program & data | 250/300 kB program • 750 kB data |
|---|
CPU Migration Mapping
The G2 consolidates the original lineup into two platforms:
| If you have... |
→ |
Migrate to... |
Key Specs |
CPU 1211C
CPU 1212C
CPU 1212FC |
→ |
G2 CPU 1212C
or 1212FC |
150 kB prog / 500 kB data
8 DI / 6 DO • 8 HSCs
Dual PROFINET • 70 mm wide |
CPU 1214C
CPU 1214FC
CPU 1215C
CPU 1215FC
CPU 1217C |
→ |
G2 CPU 1214C
or 1214FC |
250 kB prog / 750 kB data
14 DI / 10 DO • 8 HSCs
Dual PROFINET • 80 mm wide |
Important: The G2 CPUs do not have integrated analog I/O. The first-gen 1215C and 1217C had onboard 2 AI / 2 AO. On the G2, analog I/O moves to signal boards. Plan for this in your hardware order and review I/O address assignments before starting.
Migration Steps: What to Work Through Before You Start
The G2 migration is straightforward — but there are three areas to work through before you touch anything in TIA Portal. Miss any of these and you'll find out the hard way during installation.
1. Check Your Installation
The G2 is physically smaller in width - but is taller and deeper than the first-gen S7-1200. Verify your panel clearance configuration.
Physical Form Factor: CPU 1212C (70x125x100mm) / 1214C (80x125x100mm).
Connector Positions: Feature dual PROFINET ports and single unified bus connector layouts.
Push-in Terminals: Uses push-in connectors instead of screw configurations. May require re-termination or re-ferrule wire prep changes.
2. Check Hardware Availability
Confirm specific structural variants map to your integration roadmap dependencies.
Available now: CPU 1212C / 1212FC, CPU 1214C / 1214FC, digital/analog SMs and SBs, RTD and TC boards.
Coming: Fail-safe I/O signal modules (F-DI / F-DQ), high density modules. Re-route missing analog I/O via dedicated signal boards.
3. Check Software Compatibility
The software migration uses the specific TIA architecture toolkits.
TIA Portal V21 required: G2 is not supported in V19 or earlier.
Motion Control: PTO/PWM updates over to Technology Objects (TOs) execution packages.
Fail-safe: Engineering is integrated directly inside STEP 7 Basic for V21 environments.
SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 Migration Tool Download Platform
Watch the S7-1200 G2 Migration Tool video guide here.
How Migration Works in TIA Portal
The process is built around TIA Portal's Change Device function. Your existing program is the starting point — you're not rebuilding from scratch.
- Install S7-1200G2 TIA Migration Tool Add-in
- Open your existing TIA project
- Right click, select S7-1200 G2 Migration Tool
- Click Check Migration
- Review the report it generates, checking for flagged incompatibilities
- Right click again on S7-1200 G2 migration tool
- Select migrate
- Resolve any issues, recompile, and download
Program blocks, data blocks, tag tables, and network configuration all carry over. Signal modules from the first generation are NOT mechanically compatible with the G2 station.
Questions We're Hearing — Answered
Not yet. Safety I/O cards (F-DI/F-DQ signal modules) are not available in the initial G2 release. The F-CPU is available, but if you need fail-safe I/O modules, hold off until that portfolio is released. Keep an eye on the roadmap — this is coming.
The latest firmware update for the S7-1200 G2, FW v4.1 using TIA v21, adds OPC UA Server functionality.
You need TIA Portal V21. If you're currently on V18 or V19, a software update is required. Your existing Safety Basic license remains valid for your current hardware — it just won't be needed for new G2 F-projects going forward.
No, first-gen S7-1200 I/O Cards are not compatible with the G2 station. The G2 uses a different form factor, so existing I/O cards cannot be reused and will need to be replaced as part of the CPU migration.
Pre-Migration Checklist
- TIA Portal V20 or 21 installed — G2 is not supported in earlier versions
- Analog I/O mapped — identify channels needing signal board coverage (1215C / 1217C migrations)
- OPC UA client dependency checked
- Safety I/O requirements confirmed
- Motion control programming reviewed
- Memory card compatibility verified
The Price Makes It an Easy Decision
One thing that often surprises engineers when they start looking at the G2 seriously: the pricing. For a platform with meaningfully better processing speed, more memory, integrated motion control, and a smaller footprint, the G2 is competitively priced — in many cases comparable to what you were already paying for first-gen hardware.
G2 CPU Starting At $395!
If you've been assuming a new generation means a significant price jump, it's worth getting an actual quote. You may find the business case is easier to make than expected.
Why Work with EandM on Your G2 Migration
EandM is a Platinum Siemens Distributor — the highest tier in Siemens' distribution program. We have dedicated Siemens product specialists who work hands-on with these platforms every day and can help you think through your specific configuration before you order anything. We also offer TIA Portal training, hands-on workshops, and free local tech support across the West Coast. No voicemail, no waiting — just a straight answer from someone who knows the product.