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FULL TECHNICAL REVIEW LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3 2.1 inch Round Display Development Board

Product Introduction

The LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3 development board addresses the growing demand for compact, aesthetically pleasing, and highly functional display solutions in the IoT and embedded systems market. This unique device stands out with its 2.1-inch circular touch display, offering a fresh alternative to traditional rectangular screens for projects requiring intuitive user interfaces and modern design. It is ideally suited for applications such as smart home control panels, wearable devices, custom dashboards, and compact industrial interfaces where space and visual appeal are paramount. Check out our other technical reviews for more hardware testing.

Technical Support & Resources

Sample Code For Reference:

  • Official Documentation (Please refer to LILYGO’s official GitHub or product page for specific links)
Hardware specifications

Core Specifications: LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3

  • MCU: ESP32-S3R8 Tensilica Xtensa Dual Core LX7 Microprocessor
  • Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5 + BT mesh
  • Programming Platform: Arduino-ide, VS Code
  • PSRAM: 16MB
  • Flash: 8MB
  • TF-Card Slot: Yes
  • Buttons: Boot Button, Reset Button
  • Battery Voltage Detection: 1004
  • Screen Type: 2.1 inch IPS TFT LCD Round Touch Display Screen
  • Screen Resolution: 480(H) x 480(V) RGB Full Color
  • Screen Driver IC: ST7701S
  • Screen Interface: 3-wire SPI + 18bit RGB interface
Available Versions

Available Versions & Selection Guide

The LILYGO T-RGB is available in several configurations, primarily differing in appearance and touch chip:

  • — CST820 Full Circle: Features a full circular display with CST820 touch controller.
  • — FT3267 Half Circle: Offers a half-circle display with FT3267 touch controller.
  • — 2.8 Inch Full Circle: A larger full circular display option with GT911 touch controller.
Function2.1 Inch Half Circle2.1 Inch Full Circle2.8 Inch Full Circle
MCUESP32-S3R8ESP32-S3R8ESP32-S3R8
Screen Specifications2.1 Inch Round2.1 Inch Round2.8 Inch Round
Screen DriversST7701SST7701SST7701S
AppearanceHalf CircleFull CircleFull Circle
Touch ChipFT3267CST820GT911
Package Contents

What’s in the Box?

The package contents are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. Typically, LILYGO development boards include the main board itself and possibly pin headers or a USB cable.

Features and benefits

Why I love LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3

  • Powerful ESP32-S3R8 MCU: The integrated Tensilica Xtensa Dual Core LX7 Microprocessor, coupled with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 5, provides robust processing power and versatile connectivity. This enables complex IoT applications, real-time data processing, and seamless integration into existing wireless networks, making it ideal for interactive displays and connected devices.
  • High-Resolution 2.1-inch Circular IPS TFT LCD: With a 480×480 pixel resolution and ST7701S driver, this display offers crisp, vibrant visuals and wide viewing angles. The unique circular form factor opens up new design possibilities for wearables, custom gauges, and stylish smart home interfaces, moving beyond conventional rectangular screens.
  • Integrated Capacitive Touch Screen: The inclusion of touch chips like CST820, FT3267, or GT911 (depending on version) provides an intuitive user interface. This eliminates the need for external buttons in many applications, simplifying hardware design and enhancing user experience for interactive menus, controls, and data input.
  • Ample Memory (16MB PSRAM & 8MB Flash): The generous 16MB PSRAM allows for buffering large graphical assets and complex application states, while 8MB Flash provides sufficient space for firmware, multiple application partitions, and user data. This combination supports more sophisticated and feature-rich projects.
  • TF-Card Slot for Expanded Storage: The onboard TF-Card slot offers flexible storage expansion, crucial for logging sensor data, storing multimedia files (images, fonts for UI), or even hosting small embedded file systems. This significantly enhances the device’s utility for data-intensive or asset-rich applications.
Pros and Cons

Strengths & Weaknesses:

What I Like

  • — Integrated 2.1-inch circular touch display
  • Powerful ESP32-S3R8 MCU with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5
  • High-resolution 480×480 IPS TFT LCD
  • Generous 16MB PSRAM and 8MB Flash
  • Onboard TF-Card slot for storage expansion
  • Unique form factor ideal for creative projects

Points to Consider

  • Battery not included (requires external power management for portable use)
  • Some users reported issues with LCD layers coming apart
  • Potential for defective units (as per one review)
  • No explicit pinout diagram provided in the source data
  • Limited official documentation links in the provided data
Price and Availability

Where to Buy & Customer Reviews

Check Price on AliExpress (Best Value)

Find on eBay (New & Used)

As an Amazon Associate, eBay Partner, and AliExpress affiliate, I may receive compensation if you make a purchase through the links on this page at no extra cost to you. This supports my technical reviews and independent hardware testing.

Store info

STORE

96.7% Positive Feedback ⭐ | 30.6K Followers

Name:lilygo Official Store
Store no.:2090076
Location:China
Open since:Mar 16, 2016

Detailed seller ratings

Item as Described4.8 Above Average
Communication4.8 Above Average
Shipping Speed4.8 Above Average

OTHER GOODS

User reviews

User Reviews & Feedback Analysis ⭐ 4.1 (7) | Sold (322)

Reviews LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3

5 Stars 4.8

Authentic Feedback Analysis:

⭐ 5.0/5 | AliExpress Shopper: Great. Quick shipping. Just bought to my Gaggimate project.
⭐ 5.0/5 | T***r: I broke my Gaggimate screen. This is the identical part.
⭐ 5.0/5 | B***r: (No text provided)
⭐ 5.0/5 | AliExpress Shopper: (No text provided)
⭐ 5.0/5 | AliExpress Shopper: (No text provided)
⭐ 3.0/5 | AliExpress Shopper: Was defective, Support was a great help and sent a new one
⭐ 1.0/5 | J***k: looks ok overall except that the LCD layers came apart just from handling it … disappointed. now I need to take a pic just to file for a return.

Pinout and Interface Map

Pinout LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3

LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3 PINMAP 2.1″ ST7701S IPS LCD + ESP32-S3 + TF CARD

Final summary

Final Verdict: LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3

The LILYGO T-RGB ESP32-S3 is a compelling development board that successfully merges powerful processing with a unique, interactive display. While the absence of an included battery and some reported quality control issues are points to consider, its innovative circular touch screen, robust ESP32-S3R8 MCU, and ample memory make it an excellent value for its price. This board is an ideal choice for hobbyists and professionals looking to create distinctive smart home interfaces, custom wearables, or compact IoT devices that demand both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The standout feature — its integrated circular touch display — easily outweighs the minor drawbacks, offering unparalleled creative freedom for UI design. For more in-depth analyses, visit andibond.com.

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