Waveshare ESP32-S3: New board launches for under US$30 with integrated display for smart home usage

Waveshare has started offering a new development board based around Espressif Systems' ESP32-S3 microcontroller. Thus, the board features a dual-core Tensilica LX7 processor clocked at 240 MHz, as well as 512 KB of SRAM, 8 MB of PSRAM, a 384 KB ROM and 8 MB of flash storage. Additionally, the ESP32-S3 integrates Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy (BLE 5.0) and Wi-Fi 4 connectivity (802.11 b/g/n).

Like the BPI-Centi-S3, the Waveshare includes a display that it advertises for development and smart home implementation purposes. However, while Banana Pi included a small (1.9-inches) and low resolution panel on the BPI-Centi-S3, Waveshare's display measures 4.3-inches across, outputs at 800 x 480 pixels with 65K colours and supports five-point capacitive touch inputs. For reference, the latter is possible thanks to an I2C interface.

As the image below shows, Waveshare has included various ports too, including an RS485 header, a MicroSD card slot and a pair of USB Type-C ports. Moreover, the board can be powered by a 3.7V lithium battery header for deployment away from a power source or one of its USB Type-C ports. Currently, the board is available for US$29.99 when purchased as a single unit. Please see Waveshare's wiki for more information.

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