Rounded displays are becoming a trend in the maker and IoT world, and LILYGO has just dropped a new one — the T-Circle-S3. Think of it as a compact yet powerful\ devkit built around the ESP32-S3, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and a bright little 0.75-inch circular touch screen. Perfect for smart gadgets, wearables, or even quirky IoT projects.
What’s inside the LILYGO T-Circle-S3?
At first glance, the T-Circle-S3 looks like a tiny smartwatch dev board, but it’s more versatile than that. Here’s the quick spec rundown:
- MCU: ESP32-S3R8 (Dual-core Tensilica LX7 @ 240 MHz)
- Memory: 512KB SRAM + 8MB PSRAM
- Flash: 16MB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 4 + Bluetooth 5.0
- Display: 0.75” round TFT LCD (160×160, 262K colors) with capacitive touch
- Audio: MEMS mic + 3W Class-D speaker amplifier (MAX98357A)
- RGB LED: APA102 for fun visual cues
- Expansion: 6 GPIOs + Qwiic I²C connector
- Power: USB-C (5V / 500mA max)
- Size: ~32 mm base diameter, super compact
It’s programmable with Arduino, PlatformIO, and ESP-IDF, and LILYGO provides example code and docs on GitHub. That means you can go from unboxing to blinking LEDs and streaming audio pretty quickly.
How does it compare to other round display boards?
The T-Circle-S3 isn’t the first round display dev board, but it definitely brings some unique features. Let’s stack it up against two popular options:
Waveshare RP2040-LCD-0.99-B
This one is built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip instead of an ESP32. It comes with a 0.99-inch LCD (128×115 pixels), a QMI8658C IMU, and even a metal CNC case for protection.
- Pros: Sturdy build, comes with an IMU for motion sensing, affordable (~$12).
- Cons: No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, no built-in mic or speaker, smaller display resolution.
So, while the Waveshare board feels more like a sensor/display devkit, the T-Circle-S3 leans into IoT + multimedia with wireless connectivity and audio support.
SB Components Dual Roundy / Dual Squary
SB Components took a different route — instead of one display, you get two displays per module. The Dual Roundy has two 1.28” round screens (240×240), while the Dual Squary goes with two 1.54” square displays. Both can run on RP2040 or ESP32-S3, giving you flexibility between wired and wireless options.
- Pros: Larger displays, dual-screen setups, wireless option with ESP32-S3, includes IMU + microSD.
- Cons: Bigger and pricier (~$58+), not as compact, no onboard mic/speaker.
The Dual Roundy and Squary are great if you want more screen real estate or creative dual-display projects. But if your goal is something small, wearable, and all-in-one, the T-Circle-S3 wins on compactness and multimedia features.
Pricing and Availability
- LILYGO T-Circle-S3: ~$29 (AliExpress, Amazon)
- LILYGO T-Circle (no MCU, display only): ~$13
- Waveshare RP2040-LCD-0.99-B: ~$12–23 depending on store
- SB Components Dual Roundy/Squary: ~$56
So, if you’re on a budget and just want a cool little round display, the Waveshare board is the cheapest bet. If you want dual displays and don’t mind paying more, SB Components’ options are worth it. But for an all-in-one IoT wearable-style devkit, the LILYGO T-Circle-S3 is the sweet spot.
Rounded displays are no longer a novelty — they’re becoming a mini maker trend, and it’s exciting to see companies experimenting with them. The LILYGO T-Circle-S3 packs a surprising punch for its size with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mic, speaker, and touch display support.
If you’ve ever wanted to build a tiny smartwatch-like device, an interactive IoT gadget, or just a fun desk toy with sound and lights, this devkit is definitely worth a look.
👉 So, what would you build with a round touch screen dev board? A mini music player? A smartwatch? Or maybe a funky IoT notifier?
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