The ESP32 and ESP32-S3 are both popular microcontrollers developed by Espressif, but there are several key differences in their pinout and capabilities. While the basic pinout is similar between the two chips, the ESP32-S3 offers additional features and some pin differences due to the newer architecture and expanded functionality.
Key Differences in Pinout Between ESP32 and ESP32-S3
1. Core Architecture:
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ESP32: Dual-core (Xtensa LX6).
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ESP32-S3: Single-core (Xtensa LX7) with enhancements for AI, machine learning, and vector instructions.
2. Pin Count and Layout:
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ESP32 typically comes in 38-48 pins, depending on the variant (e.g., ESP32-WROOM-32).
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ESP32-S3 is available in 38-54 pins, with additional pins for new features like AI and neural network acceleration.
3. GPIO Differences:
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Both chips have GPIO pins numbered from GPIO0 to GPIO39, but not all pins are available in all variants.
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ESP32-S3 has additional features for certain GPIO pins, and some of the GPIOs in the ESP32-S3 have different capabilities, such as support for higher-speed I/O, machine learning (ML) operations, and more advanced peripherals.
4. New Features on ESP32-S3:
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GPIOs 34-39: In ESP32, these are input-only pins. In ESP32-S3, they can be used as input or output, with some supporting special features like SPI, I2S, and PWM.
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Additional pins for specific AI functions: The ESP32-S3 has additional pins that support vector extensions, useful for machine learning tasks. These are associated with the AI instructions and may use different pins from the standard ESP32.
5. USB OTG Support:
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ESP32-S3: USB OTG support on certain pins (USB data lines). ESP32 does not have native USB OTG support.
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ESP32: Does not have the hardware to support USB OTG, whereas ESP32-S3 can act as both a USB device and host.
6. SPI, I2S, and Other Peripherals:
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ESP32: Has multiple peripherals like SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, etc.
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ESP32-S3: The ESP32-S3 also has these peripherals but includes I2S with added functionalities like I2S microphone support and dedicated hardware for AI operations.
7. Capacitive Touch Pins:
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Both chips have capacitive touch capability, but the ESP32-S3 has more pins that support capacitive touch input (up to 14 pins), while the ESP32 has fewer.
8. Pin Functionality (Specific Pin Differences):
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GPIO12, GPIO13, GPIO14, GPIO15, GPIO16 on the ESP32 are common pins for SPI, UART, and PWM.
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ESP32-S3: These pins can have similar functions but with some advanced capabilities, such as AI and ML operations.
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GPIOs for JTAG: Both chips support JTAG debugging, but the exact GPIO pins used for JTAG might vary slightly in their configurations.
9. Power Supply Pins:
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ESP32: Commonly has 3.3V and GND pins.
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ESP32-S3: Has additional power management pins like VBAT and VDD3V3 that cater to low-power modes and power-efficient designs.
Table: ESP32 vs ESP32-S3 Pin Differences
| Feature | ESP32 | ESP32-S3 |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Dual-core (Xtensa LX6) | Single-core (Xtensa LX7) |
| GPIO Pin Count | 38-48 pins (depending on the variant) | 38-54 pins (more available pins) |
| USB OTG Support | Not supported | Supported (USB OTG) |
| AI Features | Not supported | Dedicated AI extensions (Vector processing) |
| Capacitive Touch Pins | Up to 10 pins | Up to 14 pins |
| GPIO Functionality | General-purpose I/O pins | Additional advanced functions (AI, USB) |
| JTAG Pins | Available, with some overlap in GPIO | JTAG support with reconfigurable pins |
| SPI/I2S | Standard SPI/I2S support | Enhanced SPI/I2S with AI support |
| PWM Channels | 16 PWM channels | 16 PWM channels with enhancements |
| UART Support | Up to 3 UARTs | Up to 3 UARTs |
Which One to Choose?
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Choose the ESP32 if:
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You are working on a general-purpose IoT project with standard microcontroller requirements like GPIO control, UART, SPI, etc.
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You don’t need specific features for machine learning, USB OTG, or advanced AI capabilities.
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Choose the ESP32-S3 if:
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You need AI-powered applications and machine learning (e.g., neural networks, vector processing).
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You are working on USB OTG projects, where you want to interface with USB devices.
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You need more capacitive touch pins or enhanced peripherals.
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Conclusion:
While the ESP32 remains a great all-around microcontroller, the ESP32-S3 offers extra features geared towards advanced applications like AI, machine learning, and USB OTG support. Depending on your project's needs, you can choose the one that best fits your requirements.
If you’re looking for general-purpose IoT applications, the ESP32 is usually sufficient. However, if you are working on advanced embedded applications, especially those that involve machine learning, the ESP32-S3 might be the better choice due to its enhanced capabilities.
Leave comment if you like more details about a specific feature about the two boards.
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