diff --git a/esphome/analyze_memory/__init__.py b/esphome/analyze_memory/__init__.py
index 9c935c78fa..63ef0e74ed 100644
--- a/esphome/analyze_memory/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/analyze_memory/__init__.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from .helpers import (
     map_section_name,
     parse_symbol_line,
 )
-from .toolchain import find_tool, run_tool
+from .toolchain import find_tool, resolve_tool_path, run_tool
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from esphome.platformio_api import IDEData
@@ -132,6 +132,12 @@ class MemoryAnalyzer:
             readelf_path = readelf_path or idedata.readelf_path
             _LOGGER.debug("Using toolchain paths from PlatformIO idedata")
 
+        # Validate paths exist, fall back to find_tool if they don't
+        # This handles cases like Zephyr where cc_path doesn't include full path
+        # and the toolchain prefix may differ (e.g., arm-zephyr-eabi- vs arm-none-eabi-)
+        objdump_path = resolve_tool_path("objdump", objdump_path, objdump_path)
+        readelf_path = resolve_tool_path("readelf", readelf_path, objdump_path)
+
         self.objdump_path = objdump_path or "objdump"
         self.readelf_path = readelf_path or "readelf"
         self.external_components = external_components or set()
diff --git a/esphome/analyze_memory/const.py b/esphome/analyze_memory/const.py
index aadc6a231c..83547b1eb5 100644
--- a/esphome/analyze_memory/const.py
+++ b/esphome/analyze_memory/const.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ ESPHOME_COMPONENT_PATTERN = re.compile(r"esphome::([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)::")
 # - LibreTiny RTL87xx: .xip.code_* (flash), .ram.code_* (RAM)
 # - LibreTiny BK7231: .itcm.code (fast RAM), .vectors (interrupt vectors)
 # - LibreTiny LN882X: .flash_text, .flash_copy* (flash code)
+# - Zephyr/nRF52: text, rodata, datas, bss (no leading dots)
 SECTION_MAPPING = {
     ".text": frozenset(
         [
@@ -30,6 +31,9 @@ SECTION_MAPPING = {
             # LibreTiny LN882X flash code
             ".flash_text",
             ".flash_copy",
+            # Zephyr/nRF52 sections (no leading dots)
+            "text",
+            "rom_start",
         ]
     ),
     ".rodata": frozenset(
@@ -37,6 +41,8 @@ SECTION_MAPPING = {
             ".rodata",
             # LibreTiny RTL87xx read-only data in RAM
             ".ram.code_rodata",
+            # Zephyr/nRF52 sections (no leading dots)
+            "rodata",
         ]
     ),
     # .bss patterns - must be before .data to catch ".dram0.bss"
@@ -45,9 +51,19 @@ SECTION_MAPPING = {
             ".bss",
             # LibreTiny LN882X BSS
             ".bss_ram",
+            # Zephyr/nRF52 sections (no leading dots)
+            "bss",
+            "noinit",
+        ]
+    ),
+    ".data": frozenset(
+        [
+            ".data",
+            ".dram",
+            # Zephyr/nRF52 sections (no leading dots)
+            "datas",
         ]
     ),
-    ".data": frozenset([".data", ".dram"]),
 }
 
 # Section to ComponentMemory attribute mapping
diff --git a/esphome/analyze_memory/helpers.py b/esphome/analyze_memory/helpers.py
index cb503b37c5..a6ca7e7f0d 100644
--- a/esphome/analyze_memory/helpers.py
+++ b/esphome/analyze_memory/helpers.py
@@ -94,13 +94,13 @@ def parse_symbol_line(line: str) -> tuple[str, str, int, str] | None:
         return None
 
     # Find section, size, and name
+    # Try each part as a potential section name
     for i, part in enumerate(parts):
-        if not part.startswith("."):
-            continue
-
+        # Skip parts that are clearly flags, addresses, or other metadata
+        # Sections start with '.' (standard ELF) or are known section names (Zephyr)
         section = map_section_name(part)
         if not section:
-            break
+            continue
 
         # Need at least size field after section
         if i + 1 >= len(parts):
diff --git a/esphome/analyze_memory/toolchain.py b/esphome/analyze_memory/toolchain.py
index 23d85e9700..3a8a5f7be4 100644
--- a/esphome/analyze_memory/toolchain.py
+++ b/esphome/analyze_memory/toolchain.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
 import subprocess
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
@@ -17,10 +18,82 @@ TOOLCHAIN_PREFIXES = [
     "xtensa-lx106-elf-",  # ESP8266
     "xtensa-esp32-elf-",  # ESP32
     "xtensa-esp-elf-",  # ESP32 (newer IDF)
+    "arm-zephyr-eabi-",  # nRF52/Zephyr SDK
+    "arm-none-eabi-",  # Generic ARM (RP2040, etc.)
     "",  # System default (no prefix)
 ]
 
 
+def _find_in_platformio_packages(tool_name: str) -> str | None:
+    """Search for a tool in PlatformIO package directories.
+
+    This handles cases like Zephyr SDK where tools are installed in nested
+    directories that aren't in PATH.
+
+    Args:
+        tool_name: Name of the tool (e.g., "readelf", "objdump")
+
+    Returns:
+        Full path to the tool or None if not found
+    """
+    # Get PlatformIO packages directory
+    platformio_home = Path(os.path.expanduser("~/.platformio/packages"))
+    if not platformio_home.exists():
+        return None
+
+    # Search patterns for toolchains that might contain the tool
+    # Order matters - more specific patterns first
+    search_patterns = [
+        # Zephyr SDK deeply nested structure (4 levels)
+        # e.g., toolchain-gccarmnoneeabi/zephyr-sdk-0.17.4/arm-zephyr-eabi/bin/arm-zephyr-eabi-objdump
+        f"toolchain-*/*/*/bin/*-{tool_name}",
+        # Zephyr SDK nested structure (3 levels)
+        f"toolchain-*/*/bin/*-{tool_name}",
+        f"toolchain-*/bin/*-{tool_name}",
+        # Standard PlatformIO toolchain structure
+        f"toolchain-*/bin/*{tool_name}",
+    ]
+
+    for pattern in search_patterns:
+        matches = list(platformio_home.glob(pattern))
+        if matches:
+            # Sort to get consistent results, prefer arm-zephyr-eabi over arm-none-eabi
+            matches.sort(key=lambda p: ("zephyr" not in str(p), str(p)))
+            tool_path = str(matches[0])
+            _LOGGER.debug("Found %s in PlatformIO packages: %s", tool_name, tool_path)
+            return tool_path
+
+    return None
+
+
+def resolve_tool_path(
+    tool_name: str,
+    derived_path: str | None,
+    objdump_path: str | None = None,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Resolve a tool path, falling back to find_tool if derived path doesn't exist.
+
+    Args:
+        tool_name: Name of the tool (e.g., "objdump", "readelf")
+        derived_path: Path derived from idedata (may not exist for some platforms)
+        objdump_path: Path to objdump binary to derive other tool paths from
+
+    Returns:
+        Resolved path to the tool, or the original derived_path if it exists
+    """
+    if derived_path and not Path(derived_path).exists():
+        found = find_tool(tool_name, objdump_path)
+        if found:
+            _LOGGER.debug(
+                "Derived %s path %s not found, using %s",
+                tool_name,
+                derived_path,
+                found,
+            )
+            return found
+    return derived_path
+
+
 def find_tool(
     tool_name: str,
     objdump_path: str | None = None,
@@ -28,7 +101,8 @@ def find_tool(
     """Find a toolchain tool by name.
 
     First tries to derive the tool path from objdump_path (if provided),
-    then falls back to searching for platform-specific tools.
+    then searches PlatformIO package directories (for cross-compile toolchains),
+    and finally falls back to searching for platform-specific tools in PATH.
 
     Args:
         tool_name: Name of the tool (e.g., "objdump", "nm", "c++filt")
@@ -47,7 +121,13 @@ def find_tool(
             _LOGGER.debug("Found %s at: %s", tool_name, potential_path)
             return potential_path
 
-    # Try platform-specific tools
+    # Search in PlatformIO packages directory first (handles Zephyr SDK, etc.)
+    # This must come before PATH search because system tools (e.g., /usr/bin/objdump)
+    # are for the host architecture, not the target (ARM, Xtensa, etc.)
+    if found := _find_in_platformio_packages(tool_name):
+        return found
+
+    # Try platform-specific tools in PATH (fallback for when tools are installed globally)
     for prefix in TOOLCHAIN_PREFIXES:
         cmd = f"{prefix}{tool_name}"
         try:
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
index a63d33f73b..ed97c3b9a2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
@@ -558,8 +558,10 @@ bool APIServer::clear_noise_psk(bool make_active) {
 #ifdef USE_HOMEASSISTANT_TIME
 void APIServer::request_time() {
   for (auto &client : this->clients_) {
-    if (!client->flags_.remove && client->is_authenticated())
+    if (!client->flags_.remove && client->is_authenticated()) {
       client->send_time_request();
+      return;  // Only request from one client to avoid clock conflicts
+    }
   }
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/dallas_temp/dallas_temp.cpp b/esphome/components/dallas_temp/dallas_temp.cpp
index a1b684abbf..13f2fa59bd 100644
--- a/esphome/components/dallas_temp/dallas_temp.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/dallas_temp/dallas_temp.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ void DallasTemperatureSensor::update() {
 
   this->send_command_(DALLAS_COMMAND_START_CONVERSION);
 
-  this->set_timeout(this->get_address_name(), this->millis_to_wait_for_conversion_(), [this] {
+  this->set_timeout(this->get_address_name().c_str(), this->millis_to_wait_for_conversion_(), [this] {
     if (!this->read_scratch_pad_() || !this->check_scratch_pad_()) {
       this->publish_state(NAN);
       return;
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.cpp
index 149fcc79d5..01f79156a9 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.cpp
@@ -193,10 +193,18 @@ void BLEClientBase::log_event_(const char *name) {
   ESP_LOGD(TAG, "[%d] [%s] %s", this->connection_index_, this->address_str_, name);
 }
 
-void BLEClientBase::log_gattc_event_(const char *name) {
+void BLEClientBase::log_gattc_lifecycle_event_(const char *name) {
   ESP_LOGD(TAG, "[%d] [%s] ESP_GATTC_%s_EVT", this->connection_index_, this->address_str_, name);
 }
 
+void BLEClientBase::log_gattc_data_event_(const char *name) {
+  // Data transfer events are logged at VERBOSE level because logging to UART creates
+  // delays that cause timing issues during time-sensitive BLE operations. This is
+  // especially problematic during pairing or firmware updates which require rapid
+  // writes to many characteristics - the log spam can cause these operations to fail.
+  ESP_LOGV(TAG, "[%d] [%s] ESP_GATTC_%s_EVT", this->connection_index_, this->address_str_, name);
+}
+
 void BLEClientBase::log_gattc_warning_(const char *operation, esp_gatt_status_t status) {
   ESP_LOGW(TAG, "[%d] [%s] %s error, status=%d", this->connection_index_, this->address_str_, operation, status);
 }
@@ -280,7 +288,7 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
     case ESP_GATTC_OPEN_EVT: {
       if (!this->check_addr(param->open.remote_bda))
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("OPEN");
+      this->log_gattc_lifecycle_event_("OPEN");
       // conn_id was already set in ESP_GATTC_CONNECT_EVT
       this->service_count_ = 0;
 
@@ -331,7 +339,7 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
     case ESP_GATTC_CONNECT_EVT: {
       if (!this->check_addr(param->connect.remote_bda))
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("CONNECT");
+      this->log_gattc_lifecycle_event_("CONNECT");
       this->conn_id_ = param->connect.conn_id;
       // Start MTU negotiation immediately as recommended by ESP-IDF examples
       // (gatt_client, ble_throughput) which call esp_ble_gattc_send_mtu_req in
@@ -376,7 +384,7 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
     case ESP_GATTC_CLOSE_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->close.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("CLOSE");
+      this->log_gattc_lifecycle_event_("CLOSE");
       this->release_services();
       this->set_state(espbt::ClientState::IDLE);
       this->conn_id_ = UNSET_CONN_ID;
@@ -404,7 +412,7 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
     case ESP_GATTC_SEARCH_CMPL_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->search_cmpl.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("SEARCH_CMPL");
+      this->log_gattc_lifecycle_event_("SEARCH_CMPL");
       // For V3_WITHOUT_CACHE, switch back to medium connection parameters after service discovery
       // This balances performance with bandwidth usage after the critical discovery phase
       if (this->connection_type_ == espbt::ConnectionType::V3_WITHOUT_CACHE) {
@@ -431,35 +439,35 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
     case ESP_GATTC_READ_DESCR_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->write.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("READ_DESCR");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("READ_DESCR");
       break;
     }
     case ESP_GATTC_WRITE_DESCR_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->write.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("WRITE_DESCR");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("WRITE_DESCR");
       break;
     }
     case ESP_GATTC_WRITE_CHAR_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->write.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("WRITE_CHAR");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("WRITE_CHAR");
       break;
     }
     case ESP_GATTC_READ_CHAR_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->read.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("READ_CHAR");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("READ_CHAR");
       break;
     }
     case ESP_GATTC_NOTIFY_EVT: {
       if (this->conn_id_ != param->notify.conn_id)
         return false;
-      this->log_gattc_event_("NOTIFY");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("NOTIFY");
       break;
     }
     case ESP_GATTC_REG_FOR_NOTIFY_EVT: {
-      this->log_gattc_event_("REG_FOR_NOTIFY");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("REG_FOR_NOTIFY");
       if (this->connection_type_ == espbt::ConnectionType::V3_WITH_CACHE ||
           this->connection_type_ == espbt::ConnectionType::V3_WITHOUT_CACHE) {
         // Client is responsible for flipping the descriptor value
@@ -491,7 +499,7 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
       esp_err_t status =
           esp_ble_gattc_write_char_descr(this->gattc_if_, this->conn_id_, desc_result.handle, sizeof(notify_en),
                                          (uint8_t *) &notify_en, ESP_GATT_WRITE_TYPE_RSP, ESP_GATT_AUTH_REQ_NONE);
-      ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Wrote notify descriptor %d, properties=%d", notify_en, char_result.properties);
+      ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Wrote notify descriptor %d, properties=%d", notify_en, char_result.properties);
       if (status) {
         this->log_gattc_warning_("esp_ble_gattc_write_char_descr", status);
       }
@@ -499,13 +507,13 @@ bool BLEClientBase::gattc_event_handler(esp_gattc_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_
     }
 
     case ESP_GATTC_UNREG_FOR_NOTIFY_EVT: {
-      this->log_gattc_event_("UNREG_FOR_NOTIFY");
+      this->log_gattc_data_event_("UNREG_FOR_NOTIFY");
       break;
     }
 
     default:
-      // ideally would check all other events for matching conn_id
-      ESP_LOGD(TAG, "[%d] [%s] Event %d", this->connection_index_, this->address_str_, event);
+      // Unknown events logged at VERBOSE to avoid UART delays during time-sensitive operations
+      ESP_LOGV(TAG, "[%d] [%s] Event %d", this->connection_index_, this->address_str_, event);
       break;
   }
   return true;
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.h b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.h
index 92c7444ee1..c52f0e5d2d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_client/ble_client_base.h
@@ -127,7 +127,8 @@ class BLEClientBase : public espbt::ESPBTClient, public Component {
   // 6 bytes used, 2 bytes padding
 
   void log_event_(const char *name);
-  void log_gattc_event_(const char *name);
+  void log_gattc_lifecycle_event_(const char *name);
+  void log_gattc_data_event_(const char *name);
   void update_conn_params_(uint16_t min_interval, uint16_t max_interval, uint16_t latency, uint16_t timeout,
                            const char *param_type);
   void set_conn_params_(uint16_t min_interval, uint16_t max_interval, uint16_t latency, uint16_t timeout,
diff --git a/esphome/components/time/real_time_clock.cpp b/esphome/components/time/real_time_clock.cpp
index 639af4457f..f217d14c55 100644
--- a/esphome/components/time/real_time_clock.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/time/real_time_clock.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,18 @@ void RealTimeClock::dump_config() {
 
 void RealTimeClock::synchronize_epoch_(uint32_t epoch) {
   ESP_LOGVV(TAG, "Got epoch %" PRIu32, epoch);
+  // Skip if time is already synchronized to avoid unnecessary writes, log spam,
+  // and prevent clock jumping backwards due to network latency
+  constexpr time_t min_valid_epoch = 1546300800;  // January 1, 2019
+  time_t current_time = this->timestamp_now();
+  // Check if time is valid (year >= 2019) before comparing
+  if (current_time >= min_valid_epoch) {
+    // Unsigned subtraction handles wraparound correctly, then cast to signed
+    int32_t diff = static_cast<int32_t>(epoch - static_cast<uint32_t>(current_time));
+    if (diff >= -1 && diff <= 1) {
+      return;
+    }
+  }
   // Update UTC epoch time.
 #ifdef USE_ZEPHYR
   struct timespec ts;
diff --git a/esphome/core/helpers.cpp b/esphome/core/helpers.cpp
index 309407fbec..b5bf849c30 100644
--- a/esphome/core/helpers.cpp
+++ b/esphome/core/helpers.cpp
@@ -617,6 +617,55 @@ std::vector<uint8_t> base64_decode(const std::string &encoded_string) {
   return ret;
 }
 
+/// Encode int32 to 5 base85 characters + null terminator
+/// Standard ASCII85 alphabet: '!' (33) = 0 through 'u' (117) = 84
+inline void base85_encode_int32(int32_t value, std::span<char, BASE85_INT32_ENCODED_SIZE> output) {
+  uint32_t v = static_cast<uint32_t>(value);
+  // Encode least significant digit first, then reverse
+  for (int i = 4; i >= 0; i--) {
+    output[i] = static_cast<char>('!' + (v % 85));
+    v /= 85;
+  }
+  output[5] = '\0';
+}
+
+/// Decode 5 base85 characters to int32
+inline bool base85_decode_int32(const char *input, int32_t &out) {
+  uint8_t c0 = static_cast<uint8_t>(input[0] - '!');
+  uint8_t c1 = static_cast<uint8_t>(input[1] - '!');
+  uint8_t c2 = static_cast<uint8_t>(input[2] - '!');
+  uint8_t c3 = static_cast<uint8_t>(input[3] - '!');
+  uint8_t c4 = static_cast<uint8_t>(input[4] - '!');
+
+  // Each digit must be 0-84. Since uint8_t wraps, chars below '!' become > 84
+  if (c0 > 84 || c1 > 84 || c2 > 84 || c3 > 84 || c4 > 84)
+    return false;
+
+  // 85^4 = 52200625, 85^3 = 614125, 85^2 = 7225, 85^1 = 85
+  out = static_cast<int32_t>(c0 * 52200625u + c1 * 614125u + c2 * 7225u + c3 * 85u + c4);
+  return true;
+}
+
+/// Decode base85 string directly into vector (no intermediate buffer)
+bool base85_decode_int32_vector(const std::string &base85, std::vector<int32_t> &out) {
+  size_t len = base85.size();
+  if (len % 5 != 0)
+    return false;
+
+  out.clear();
+  const char *ptr = base85.data();
+  const char *end = ptr + len;
+
+  while (ptr < end) {
+    int32_t value;
+    if (!base85_decode_int32(ptr, value))
+      return false;
+    out.push_back(value);
+    ptr += 5;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
 // Colors
 
 float gamma_correct(float value, float gamma) {
diff --git a/esphome/core/helpers.h b/esphome/core/helpers.h
index 4decc19657..9dc289c743 100644
--- a/esphome/core/helpers.h
+++ b/esphome/core/helpers.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 
 #ifdef USE_ESP8266
 #include <Esp.h>
+#include <pgmspace.h>
 #endif
 
 #ifdef USE_RP2040
@@ -1136,6 +1137,14 @@ std::vector<uint8_t> base64_decode(const std::string &encoded_string);
 size_t base64_decode(std::string const &encoded_string, uint8_t *buf, size_t buf_len);
 size_t base64_decode(const uint8_t *encoded_data, size_t encoded_len, uint8_t *buf, size_t buf_len);
 
+/// Size of buffer needed for base85 encoded int32 (5 chars + null terminator)
+static constexpr size_t BASE85_INT32_ENCODED_SIZE = 6;
+
+void base85_encode_int32(int32_t value, std::span<char, BASE85_INT32_ENCODED_SIZE> output);
+
+bool base85_decode_int32(const char *input, int32_t &out);
+bool base85_decode_int32_vector(const std::string &base85, std::vector<int32_t> &out);
+
 ///@}
 
 /// @name Colors
diff --git a/script/determine-jobs.py b/script/determine-jobs.py
index 7ecbfb225e..318ac04a7d 100755
--- a/script/determine-jobs.py
+++ b/script/determine-jobs.py
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ class Platform(StrEnum):
     RTL87XX_ARD = "rtl87xx-ard"  # LibreTiny RTL8720x
     LN882X_ARD = "ln882x-ard"  # LibreTiny LN882x
     RP2040_ARD = "rp2040-ard"  # Raspberry Pi Pico
+    NRF52_ZEPHYR = "nrf52-adafruit"  # Nordic nRF52 (Zephyr)
 
 
 # Memory impact analysis constants
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ PLATFORM_SPECIFIC_COMPONENTS = frozenset(
         "rtl87xx",  # Realtek RTL87xx platform implementation (uses LibreTiny)
         "ln882x",  # Winner Micro LN882x platform implementation (uses LibreTiny)
         "host",  # Host platform (for testing on development machine)
-        "nrf52",  # Nordic nRF52 platform implementation
+        "nrf52",  # Nordic nRF52 platform implementation (uses Zephyr)
     }
 )
 
@@ -126,6 +127,7 @@ PLATFORM_SPECIFIC_COMPONENTS = frozenset(
 # 4-6. Other ESP32 variants - Less commonly used but still supported
 # 7-9. LibreTiny platforms (BK72XX, RTL87XX, LN882X) - good for detecting LibreTiny-specific changes
 # 10. RP2040 - Raspberry Pi Pico platform
+# 11. nRF52 - Nordic nRF52 with Zephyr (good for detecting Zephyr-specific changes)
 MEMORY_IMPACT_PLATFORM_PREFERENCE = [
     Platform.ESP32_C6_IDF,  # ESP32-C6 IDF (newest, supports Thread/Zigbee)
     Platform.ESP8266_ARD,  # ESP8266 Arduino (most memory constrained, fastest builds)
@@ -137,6 +139,7 @@ MEMORY_IMPACT_PLATFORM_PREFERENCE = [
     Platform.RTL87XX_ARD,  # LibreTiny RTL8720x
     Platform.LN882X_ARD,  # LibreTiny LN882x
     Platform.RP2040_ARD,  # Raspberry Pi Pico
+    Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR,  # Nordic nRF52 (Zephyr)
 ]
 
 
@@ -463,6 +466,10 @@ def _detect_platform_hint_from_filename(filename: str) -> Platform | None:
     if "pico" in filename_lower or "rp2040" in filename_lower:
         return Platform.RP2040_ARD
 
+    # nRF52 / Zephyr
+    if "nrf52" in filename_lower or "zephyr" in filename_lower:
+        return Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR
+
     return None
 
 
diff --git a/tests/script/test_determine_jobs.py b/tests/script/test_determine_jobs.py
index 52025513a8..61ef8985df 100644
--- a/tests/script/test_determine_jobs.py
+++ b/tests/script/test_determine_jobs.py
@@ -1499,6 +1499,23 @@ def test_detect_memory_impact_config_runs_at_component_limit(tmp_path: Path) ->
             "tests/components/rp2040/test.rp2040-ard.yaml",
             determine_jobs.Platform.RP2040_ARD,
         ),
+        # nRF52 / Zephyr detection
+        (
+            "tests/components/logger/test.nrf52-adafruit.yaml",
+            determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR,
+        ),
+        (
+            "esphome/components/nrf52/gpio.cpp",
+            determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR,
+        ),
+        (
+            "esphome/components/zephyr/core.cpp",
+            determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR,
+        ),
+        (
+            "esphome/components/zephyr_ble_server/ble_server.cpp",
+            determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR,
+        ),
         # No platform hint (generic files)
         ("esphome/components/wifi/wifi.cpp", None),
         ("esphome/components/sensor/sensor.h", None),
@@ -1528,6 +1545,10 @@ def test_detect_memory_impact_config_runs_at_component_limit(tmp_path: Path) ->
         "pico_i2c",
         "pico_spi",
         "rp2040_test_yaml",
+        "nrf52_test_yaml",
+        "nrf52_gpio",
+        "zephyr_core",
+        "zephyr_ble_server",
         "generic_wifi_no_hint",
         "generic_sensor_no_hint",
         "core_helpers_no_hint",
@@ -1554,6 +1575,11 @@ def test_detect_platform_hint_from_filename(
         ("file_ESP8266.cpp", determine_jobs.Platform.ESP8266_ARD),
         # ESP32 with different cases
         ("file_ESP32.cpp", determine_jobs.Platform.ESP32_IDF),
+        # nRF52/Zephyr with different cases
+        ("file_NRF52.cpp", determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR),
+        ("file_Nrf52.cpp", determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR),
+        ("file_ZEPHYR.cpp", determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR),
+        ("file_Zephyr.cpp", determine_jobs.Platform.NRF52_ZEPHYR),
     ],
     ids=[
         "rp2040_uppercase",
@@ -1562,6 +1588,10 @@ def test_detect_platform_hint_from_filename(
         "pico_titlecase",
         "esp8266_uppercase",
         "esp32_uppercase",
+        "nrf52_uppercase",
+        "nrf52_mixedcase",
+        "zephyr_uppercase",
+        "zephyr_titlecase",
     ],
 )
 def test_detect_platform_hint_from_filename_case_insensitive(