Waveshare: New 4.2-inch smart display sports built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and innovative screen

The new ESP32-S3 supposedly combines the advantages of e-ink and LCDs (Image source: Waveshare)

This new display is esigned to combine the advantages of an e-ink panel with higher responsiveness. The Waveshare ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 also comes with an integrated processing chipset and can be connected wirelessly and controlled via voice commands.

Silvio Werner (translated by Enrico Frahn), Published 01/07/2026 🇩🇪

DIY Launch

The ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 is a new display with an attached development board and a reflective LCD panel. This means that ambient light is used for illumination rather than LEDs built into the display itself. According to the manufacturer Waveshare, this makes the smart display easily readable in sunlight, similar to an e-ink display, but without the comparatively long response times of these panels. Power can be supplied via an 18650 battery.

The screen has a size of 4.2 inches and a resolution of 300 x 400 pixels. This device can be used as a smart display that shows the current time, weather or custom content. The emphasis is on custom, because buyers will have to tinker around a bit to get this gadget to work. ESP-IDF and the widely used Arduino IDE are supported, while a temperature and humidity sensor are already integrated and can be useful for measuring comfort levels in a room. Two microphones are also onboard and can be used to interact with virtual assistants, in which case users might also want to connect a speaker, which is sometimes included in the box depending on the retailer.

Wireless connectivity via WiFi and Bluetooth is supported thanks to an integrated ESP32-S3 chipset, so showing current weather data does not require a wired Ethernet connection. Either way, external sensors and actuators can be hooked up via GPIO. On AliExpress, the new smart home display from Waveshare retails for €29 plus shipping. This price increases to €32 with an included battery.

Additional sensors and actuators can be connected (Image source: Waveshare)

Source(s)

AliExpress, Waveshare

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Editor of the original article: Silvio Werner - Senior Tech Writer - 16257 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2017

I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.

contact me via: silvio39191, LinkedIn

Translator: Enrico Frahn - Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer - 6045 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021

My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.

contact me via: LinkedIn

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