ESP32-S2 vs. ESP32 - Which Microcontroller is Better for Your IoT Project
Are you planning an IoT project and confused between ESP32-S2 and ESP32? With several similarities and a few differences, it's easy to get confused between the two. In this blog post, we'll provide a factual, unbiased comparison of the two microcontrollers with numbers wherever possible, and help you decide which is better for your IoT project.
Brief Introduction of ESP32-S2 and ESP32
Both ESP32-S2 and ESP32 are microcontrollers with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. They are popular choices for IoT projects due to their power and features. Let's take a brief look at both microcontrollers.
ESP32-S2
ESP32-S2 is a highly integrated, low-power, and secure microcontroller with a built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. It comes with up to 320 KB of SRAM, up to 128 KB of ROM, and up to 1 MB of embedded flash. The chip supports a maximum clock speed of 240 MHz and has a built-in USB 1.1 OTG interface for data transfer.
ESP32
ESP32 is a highly integrated, low-power, and secure microcontroller with a built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. It comes with up to 520 KB of SRAM, up to 4 MB of embedded flash, and up to 8 MB of external flash. The chip supports a maximum clock speed of 240 MHz and has a built-in USB 2.0 OTG interface for data transfer.
Comparison: ESP32-S2 vs. ESP32
Let's compare ESP32-S2 and ESP32 microcontrollers to help you decide which one is better for your IoT project.
Processing Power
The clock speed of both microcontrollers is the same, with the ESP32-S2 supporting a maximum of 240 MHz, just like the ESP32. However, the ESP32 has more processing power due to its dual-core processor, while the ESP32-S2 has a single-core processor. Therefore, the ESP32 is a better choice for computationally intensive projects.
Memory
The ESP32 has more memory than the ESP32-S2. It comes with up to 520 KB of SRAM and up to 8 MB of external flash, while the ESP32-S2 has up to 320 KB of SRAM and up to 1 MB of embedded flash. Therefore, if your IoT project needs more memory, the ESP32 would be a better choice.
Number of Input-Output Pins
Both microcontrollers have a similar number of input-output pins, with the ESP32-S2 having 34 GPIO pins and the ESP32 having 36 GPIO pins. However, the ESP32 has more PWM pins (16) than the ESP32-S2 (10). Therefore, if your IoT project requires more PWM pins, the ESP32 is the better choice.
Peripherals
Both microcontrollers have several peripherals, including I2C, SPI, UART, and ADC. However, the ESP32-S2 has a built-in capacitive touch sensor, which is not available in the ESP32. Therefore, if your IoT project needs a built-in capacitive touch sensor, the ESP32-S2 is the better choice.
Power Consumption
The ESP32-S2 is more power-efficient than the ESP32, with a maximum power consumption of 140 mA, compared to the ESP32's maximum power consumption of 240 mA. Therefore, if your IoT project needs lower power consumption, the ESP32-S2 is the better choice.
Conclusion
Both ESP32-S2 and ESP32 are impressive microcontrollers with several similarities and differences. Choosing one over the other depends on your IoT project's requirements. If you need more processing power, memory, or PWM Pins, the ESP32 is the better choice. If your IoT project requires a built-in capacitive touch sensor or lower power consumption, the ESP32-S2 is the better choice.
We hope this blog post helps you make an informed decision on which microcontroller to use in your next IoT project.