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Freedom251 › Blog › ESP32

ESP32-S31 Brings Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet to the ESP32 Family

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

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The ESP32-S31 is the ESP32 chip that matches the headline’s combination: Espressif lists 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 and a 1000 Mbps Ethernet peripheral, alongside Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee and multimedia interfaces. It is a capable embedded system-on-chip, not a ready-to-use consumer device—and its current documentation says it is supported only on the ESP-IDF master branch v6.1 and later.

What makes the ESP32-S31 different?

Espressif describes the ESP32-S31 as a dual-core, 32-bit RISC-V system-on-chip. Its high-performance core is specified to run at up to 320 MHz, and the chip includes 512 KB of RAM. The standout change is not simply a faster processor: the feature set combines newer wireless networking with wired gigabit Ethernet and interfaces for multimedia applications.

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The ESP32 family spans chips with different processors, radios and peripherals, so “the ESP32 that used to blink LEDs” is a shorthand for the family’s maker-project roots, not a description of every earlier model. The S31’s listed capabilities point toward more demanding connected devices and gateways as well as conventional embedded projects.

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ESP32-S31 specifications

Feature ESP32-S31 specification
Processor Dual-core, 32-bit RISC-V; high-performance core up to 320 MHz
On-chip RAM 512 KB
Memory expansion Supports 250 MHz, 8-bit DDR PSRAM
Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth and mesh-related radios BLE 5.4, Bluetooth Classic, Thread 1.4 and Zigbee 3.0
Ethernet 1000 Mbps peripheral
USB and display-related interfaces USB OTG 2.0 High Speed, 16-bit DVP and 24-bit RGB
Other multimedia features PPA and JPEG codec

These are manufacturer-listed specifications in Espressif’s ESP32-S31 documentation; the documentation page does not state a publication date. They are not independent measurements of real-world performance.

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Does the ESP32-S31 have 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Espressif’s accessible feature list specifies 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6. It does not establish 5 GHz operation, so do not assume that “Wi-Fi 6” means this chip can connect on the 5 GHz band. Check the exact radio requirements of a design against the chip documentation before choosing it.

What does gigabit Ethernet mean in practice?

The listed 1000 Mbps figure describes the Ethernet peripheral’s nominal link rate, not guaranteed application throughput. Actual performance depends on the full design, including the network path, board implementation, software and workload. No independent throughput benchmark is established here, so the specification should not be read as a measured speed for a finished product.

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  • Flexible Power-Saving Modes: ESP32 power-management features support dynamic clock scaling and low-power operating modes, helping developers reduce energy use in compatible sensing, monitoring and connected-device applications, suitable for battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
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The combination is useful when a device needs both wireless connectivity and a wired network option—for example, a gateway or fixed smart-home device. The chip’s USB, display and JPEG capabilities also make it relevant to multimedia-oriented embedded designs. Espressif identifies multimedia, edge AI, gateways, smart-home hubs, video doorbells and voice-control devices as application categories; those are vendor use cases, not proof of a particular performance level.

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How it compares with ESP32-C6 and ESP32-E22

Part What the cited Espressif information establishes How it differs from the S31
ESP32-S31 Dual-core RISC-V, high-performance core up to 320 MHz, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, 1000 Mbps Ethernet, BLE 5.4, Bluetooth Classic, Thread 1.4, Zigbee 3.0 and multimedia interfaces The chip matching the combination of Wi-Fi 6 and listed gigabit Ethernet
ESP32-C6 Espressif’s first Wi-Fi 6 SoC, with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE and IEEE 802.15.4 for Thread and Zigbee applications Its product page does not describe the S31’s listed 1000 Mbps Ethernet and multimedia feature set. See Espressif’s ESP32-C6 page.
ESP32-E22 A tri-band Wi-Fi 6E connectivity co-processor announced January 19, 2026; Espressif announced Wi-Fi 6E certification and an open-source Linux driver on June 12, 2026 A separate connectivity co-processor, not an S31-style MCU. See the announcement and certification and driver update.

The comparison is about the capabilities established on the cited product pages; it does not imply that unlisted features are impossible. The E22’s 6E radio role is distinct from the S31’s integrated embedded-computing focus.

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Developer support: check the ESP-IDF branch first

Espressif’s current S31 documentation says the chip is supported only on the ESP-IDF master branch v6.1 and later. That is a significant toolchain consideration: do not assume that a released stable ESP-IDF version supports the S31 unless the relevant release documentation confirms it.

  • For evaluation, verify that your required ESP-IDF branch and project dependencies support the S31 before committing to a firmware design.
  • For a production product, account for the implications of relying on master-branch support, including the need to validate the exact toolchain and maintain a known-good development environment.
  • Confirm that the software supports the specific radios and peripherals your design needs; the chip’s hardware feature list alone does not establish software readiness for every use.

Should you start with a board, module or bare chip?

For first evaluation, a development board is generally the most direct route. Espressif describes development boards as complete printed circuit boards with power and download circuitry, intended for testing, debugging and firmware flashing. The cited documentation does not establish a named S31 board model.

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No official S31 launch date, price, mass-production status or retail availability is established by the cited documentation. Check current manufacturer and distributor information before planning a purchase or product schedule.

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Who should consider the ESP32-S31?

The S31 is worth evaluating when a design can use its particular mix of a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 radio, wired 1000 Mbps Ethernet, other listed connectivity standards and multimedia interfaces—and when its current ESP-IDF support status fits the project. It is not automatically the best choice for a simple GPIO project, nor does its Wi-Fi label make it suitable where 5 GHz is a requirement. Selecting it should start with the application’s network bands, wired-link needs, peripherals and software constraints.

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  • Ultra-Low power consumption, works perfectly with the Arduino IDE
  • Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

ESP32ESP32-S31Espressifgigabit EthernetIoTWi-Fi 6

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