It is a compact microcontroller development board with a built-in 0.85-inch, 128 × 128-pixel TFT display, offered in RP2040 and ESP32-S3 versions. A Hackster.io project shows how to use MicroPython, SPI, and an ST7789 driver to put text on the screen and build simple games with onboard buttons. The ESP32-S3 version is the one to consider if you need the reported Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE connectivity.
What the board is designed for
The board combines a small screen and a microcontroller on one compact platform. That makes it suited to projects where a full-size display would be excessive: simple handheld games, status screens, small control panels, and other embedded prototypes. Geeky Gadgets describes the integrated TFT as 0.85 inches diagonally, with a 128 × 128 resolution and support for 65,000 RGB colors.
The screen is small, so it is best thought of as an interface for brief text, icons, and simple graphics rather than a display for detailed layouts. The Hackster.io example focuses on a greeting and game controls, illustrating the board’s intended scale.
RP2040 or ESP32-S3: which version fits?
| Variant | What the sources report | Consider it when |
|---|---|---|
| RP2040 | Dual-core Cortex-M0+ processor, according to Geeky Gadgets. | Your project does not require the wireless capabilities reported for the ESP32-S3 version. |
| ESP32-S3 | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, BLE 5.0, 4 MB flash, and 2 MB PSRAM, according to Geeky Gadgets. | You need wireless connectivity for an IoT or remotely connected display project. |
These are reported specifications and positioning, not results from a comparative test. The available descriptions do not establish relative speed, power use, or which version is best for a particular MicroPython workload. Before choosing, check the current maker documentation for the precise board revision, pinout, memory configuration, and supported firmware.
#1 Best Overall
- ESP32 S3 Controller: Dual-core 32-bit microprocessor up to 240 MHz, 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM, 512 KB SRAM, 384 KB ROM, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE), with USB-C code uploader
- Touch screen: 3.5 inch, 320x480 pixel, IPS type TFT wide viewing angle, fully laminated display (zero-air-gap screen), 4-wire SPI communication, up to 5-point capacitive touch screen
- Talk to AI (LLM): Ask anything in any field and it will chat with you like an expert (Note: Relies on free third-party AI services, requires registration and login)
- Ports and devices: Memory card slot, USB-C port, serial port, I2C port, I/O pin port, battery port, RGB LED, BOOT key, RESET key, microphone, speaker port (Comes with a speaker)
- Tutorial and code: Example projects for ESP32-S3 and LVGL GUI library, and connection with AI (The tutorial link can be found on the product box, no paper tutorial)
How the display and game example work
Hackster.io’s tutorial uses MicroPython to communicate with the screen over SPI, with an ST7789 driver. The code initializes a 128 × 128 display and prints a greeting. The project also describes onboard buttons as inputs for games, so the same basic setup can support simple interactive programs: read a button, update the game state, and redraw the relevant screen content.
The tutorial is a demonstration of a display workflow, not a complete compatibility guarantee for every board revision or firmware build. Confirm the display driver, SPI pins, and button mapping for the exact version you have before adapting the example. The Hackster project lists a USB Type-C cable among its hardware; it does not specify whether a particular cable supports data, so use a suitable data-capable cable if your setup requires USB data.
Rank #2
- High-Performance MCU Board: The ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-1.75 is powered by the ESP32-S3R8 Xtensa 32-bit LX7 dual-core processor, running at up to 240MHz. It integrates a range of features like a 1.75-inch AMOLED capacitive touch display, a 6-axis IMU (accelerometer and gyroscope), RTC chip, and more for quick development and product integration.
- Connectivity and Memory: It supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE) with an onboard antenna. The board is equipped with 512KB SRAM, 384KB ROM, 8MB PSRAM, and an external 16MB Flash memory for smooth performance and ample storage.
- Touch Display and Audio: The onboard 1.75-inch AMOLED display offers a 466×466 resolution and 16.7 million colors, with QSPI and I2C communication for efficient IO resource use. Dual digital microphones provide audio features such as noise reduction and echo cancellation for voice recognition applications.
- Motion and Power Management: Integrated 6-axis IMU (accelerometer and gyroscope) detects motion gestures and step counting. The AXP2101 power management IC ensures optimized battery life, with a rechargeable 3.7V Lithium battery and low-power operation, powered by a lithium battery with uninterrupted supply via the RTC chip.
- Expandable and Customizable: The board includes a 3 × GPIO and 1 × UART header, reserved pads for I2C and expanded IO interfaces, and an onboard TF card slot for extended storage and fast data transfer. This allows for easy peripheral connection and debugging, making it highly adaptable for various applications.
Other reported hardware and what to verify
Geeky Gadgets also reports a TF card slot and an optional development kit. The available description does not establish the kit’s exact contents, so check a current primary product listing rather than assuming it includes particular accessories.
- Confirm the pinout and button assignments for your board revision.
- Verify the screen controller and SPI wiring before installing or configuring a display driver.
- Check the available flash and PSRAM configuration for the specific variant.
- Confirm what is included in any kit, including whether a cable or other accessories are supplied.
Can you buy it now?
Geeky Gadgets’ February 2025 article describes a crowdfunding campaign, reports campaign-era early-bird pricing from roughly $18, and anticipates shipping around May 2025. Those are historical campaign details, not evidence of a current price, active campaign, fulfilled orders, or stock. The available pages do not verify present availability; check the maker’s current listing or campaign updates before making a purchase decision.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Best Value
- High-Performance Processor and Chip: Powered by the ESP32-S3R8 chip with a high-performance Xtensa 32-bit LX7 dual-core processor, operating at up to 240MHz, providing robust computational power for a wide range of applications.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE) with an onboard antenna, ensuring seamless wireless communication for IoT and other connected applications.
- Ample Memory and Storage: Features 512KB SRAM, 384KB ROM, 16MB Flash, and 8MB PSRAM, offering substantial memory and storage capacity to run complex programs and store large amounts of data.
- Vibrant Touch Display: Equipped with a 1.47-inch capacitive touch LCD display with a 172×320 resolution and 262K colors, capable of running GUI programs such as LVGL, providing a clear and responsive user interface.
- Flexible I/O and Expansion: Supports multiple I/O interfaces and full-speed USB standard, with an onboard TF card slot for external storage of pictures or files, ideal for projects that require flexibility and storage expansion.
Rank #4
- ESP32-S3 1.46 LCD Development Board: Integrates QSPI Interface Display with multiple peripheral interfaces.
- IPS Display Panel: Features 16.7M color depth with 412×412 resolution and wide viewing angle for clear visual output
- Capacitive Touch Function: Supports capacitive touch controlled via I2C interface for flexible operation and smooth UI interaction with interrupt support
- Onboard Audio Input And Output: Supports high-quality audio processing, providing clear audio input and output, equipped with an offline voice model, enabling device control via setting shortcut commands
- Multiple Peripheral Support: Supports the expansion of multiple peripherals via UART, GPIO and I2C interfaces for connectivity options
Rank #3
- Powered by a high-performance ESP32-S3R8 Xtensa 32-bit LX7 dual-core processor, boasting a maximum main frequency of 240MHz for smooth multitasking.
- Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and BLE with an onboard antenna, ensuring stable wireless connectivity.
- Equipped with 512KB SRAM, 384KB ROM, 8MB onboard PSRAM, and 32MB external Flash for ample storage and memory.
- Features a 1.75-inch AMOLED capacitive touch display (466×466 resolution, 16.7M colors) with high contrast and vivid visuals.
- Comes with Type-C port, 6-axis IMU, dual-microphone array, and AXP2101 power management IC for versatile functionality.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
