ESP32-S2 WiFi SoC Sells for $1, ESP32-S2-WROOM & ESP32-S2-WROVER Modules for $2 and Up

Espressif Systems ESP32-S2 was announced in May 2019, before the release of the datasheet and first internal development boards a few months later.  Mass production was delayed due to COVID-19, but earlier this month we reported ESP32-S2 mass production had started and the company has a new ESP32-S2-Kaluga-1 multimedia development board in the works.

So it was just a question of time before the processor, modules, and boards become available. Unexpected Maker recently got a development kit with ESP32-S2 final silicon, so I thought maybe I could find ESP32-S2 hardware on Aliexpress.

I had no luck finding modules or boards at this time, but one seller is currently selling ESP32-S2 for just $1 per piece, but the trick is that you’d have to purchase 2,000. It’s also about the same price on Digikey.

As a reminder, ESP32-S2 SoC is based on a single Xtensa LX7 core clocked at 240 MHz, supports Wi-Fi HT40 @ 2.4 GHz, and provides up to 43 GPIOs. It does not support Bluetooth like other ESP32 models but does come with a built-in USB interface, support for LCD and camera, as well as enhanced security. You can read ESP32-S2 specifications for details.

ESP32-S2-WROOM & ESP32-S2-WROVER Modules

While I did not find any ESP32-S2 module on Aliexpress, ESP32-S2-WROVER and ESP32-S2-WROOM modules are sold on Digikey for as low as $1.99.

Both modules look the same, and do share many of the same specifications:

• SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S2 embedded, Xtensa single-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor, up to 240 MHz with  128 KB ROM, 320 KB SRAM, 16 KB SRAM in RTC
• Wi-Fi
  • 802.11 b/g/n WiFI 4
  • Bit rate: 802.11n up to 150 Mbps
  • A-MPDU and A-MSDU aggregation
  • 0.4us guard interval support
  • Center frequency range of operating channel: 2412~2484 MHz
• Hardware
  • Interfaces: GPIO, SPI, LCD, UART, I2C, I2S, Camera interface, IR, pulse counter, LED PWM, USB 1.1 OTG, ADC, DAC, touch sensor, temperature sensor
  • 40 MHz crystal oscillator
  • 4 MB SPI flash
  • ESP32-S2-WROVER only – 2 MB PSRAM
• Supply Voltage – 3.0 to 3.6 V
• Temperature Range – -40 to 85°C
• Dimensions – 31 x 18 x 3.3mm
• Certifications
  • Green certifications: RoHS/REACH
  • RF certifications: FCC/CE-RED/SRRC
• Tests – HTOL/HTSL/uHAST/TCT/ESD

So the only difference that I could find is the presence of PSRAM in the WROVER module, everything else is the same, and both modules offer variants with PCB antenna or IPEX connector. You’ll find the full technical details on Espressif Systems’ website.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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