Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B: A Compact Round Touchscreen Display Built for Makers
Waveshare has introduced the ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B, a compact development device that combines a round AMOLED touchscreen, wireless connectivity, sensors, audio features, and battery support in a small enclosure. Designed for makers, developers, and DIY electronics enthusiasts, this tiny system opens the door to a wide range of creative projects, from smart home control panels to portable dashboards and custom wearable-style displays.
At first glance, the ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B looks like a small smart display. In practice, it is more than just a screen. It can be viewed either as a development board with an integrated display or as a display module powered by a capable microcontroller. Either way, it is aimed at users who are comfortable experimenting with code and building their own applications.
The device is built around a 1.85-inch round AMOLED display with a 360 × 360 pixel resolution. According to the manufacturer, the screen reaches up to 450 cd/m² of brightness, making it suitable for clear visual output in many indoor use cases. The touchscreen adds another layer of flexibility, allowing users to create interactive menus, controls, widgets, or dashboards.
Its compact dimensions make it especially interesting. The unit measures 61.6 millimeters in diameter and 14.6 millimeters thick, so it can fit into small projects where a traditional rectangular screen may not be ideal. The round display shape also makes it attractive for smartwatch-inspired projects, compact monitoring tools, smart home interfaces, and decorative data displays.
The ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B is not just about visuals. It includes two microphones, allowing developers to experiment with voice input or audio-related features. It also has an accelerometer and gyroscope, making motion detection possible. These sensors could be useful for handheld controls, orientation-based interfaces, simple gesture detection, or movement-aware applications.
A programmable button is also included, giving users a simple physical input option alongside the touchscreen. Audio output is supported as well, which adds more possibilities for alerts, feedback sounds, notifications, or small interactive projects.
Wireless connectivity is another major advantage. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, the device can connect to networks, communicate with other smart devices, send or receive data, or act as part of an Internet of Things setup. This makes it suitable for smart home dashboards, sensor displays, wireless control panels, weather stations, network monitors, and other connected projects.
For development, users can work with familiar tools such as the Arduino IDE and ESP-IDF. AI-assisted coding tools may also help speed up the process for those who want to build custom interfaces or experiment with new functions. However, this product is best suited for people who are willing to program and customize it. It is not a plug-and-play consumer smart display out of the box.
Power and programming are handled through USB Type-C, which keeps setup convenient. Battery operation is also supported, making the device practical for portable projects. This is especially useful for handheld gadgets, mobile dashboards, wearable-style experiments, or compact displays that do not need to stay permanently connected to a cable.
The ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B is listed at a starting price of around $26, positioning it as an affordable option for makers who want a small touchscreen development platform with built-in wireless features and sensors. Availability may vary, and similar alternatives exist, including compact development boards with larger square displays.
Overall, the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B is a versatile little platform with plenty of potential. Its round AMOLED touchscreen, ESP32-S3 foundation, wireless connectivity, onboard sensors, microphones, audio support, and battery compatibility make it a compelling choice for DIY electronics projects. For developers who enjoy building custom smart displays, IoT controllers, compact dashboards, or experimental portable devices, this small board offers a lot of functionality in a surprisingly tiny package.
