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You can build a portable music player around an ESP32-S3, but the design described here is a custom-board project—not a ready-to-assemble kit or a verified commercial player. Its author’s parts list and pin map pair a PCM5102A digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a 2.8-inch display, microSD storage and five-way controls. The notes are a useful starting point, not proof that a completed build works or that its battery circuit is safe.
What this ESP32-S3 player design includes
The project repository describes a digital audio player built around an ESP32-S3. It specifies a PCM5102A DAC for analog audio output, a 2.8-inch ILI9341 display, a microSD slot and five-way navigation buttons. The parts list and wiring are the project author’s design notes; they do not establish tested playback, supported audio formats, sound quality, runtime or total build cost.
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The component list points to a custom board rather than a simple assembly of plug-in modules. In particular, it includes bare-chip support parts, an FPC connector for the display, and wiring for USB-C, battery charging and monitoring. Builders should treat the pin assignments below as specific to this design, not as universal ESP32-S3 recommendations.
Parts named in the project
- ESP32-S3 chip and support components, including 10 kΩ pull-ups on EN and GPIO0, a 1 µF capacitor from EN to ground, and reset and boot buttons.
- PCM5102A DAC with a 3.5 mm jack.
- 2.8-inch ILI9341 display without a PCB, plus an FPC display connector.
- SDIO microSD slot and a 128 GB microSD card.
- Five-way button and small indicator LEDs.
- Li-Po battery and charging regulator; the README also lists a 1.2 kΩ resistor.
- USB-C header with a 5.1 kΩ resistor.
- 10 kΩ and 1 kΩ resistors, plus 1 µF and 0.1 µF capacitors. The battery monitor uses two 100 kΩ resistors as a divider and a 0.1 µF filter capacitor.
These are the items the repository names, not a complete procurement specification. It does not establish exact component variants, connector compatibility, battery capacity, charger limits or whether particular parts are currently available.
#1 Best Overall
- 🔥【Dual Mode & High Performance】 The ESP32-S3 development board features integrated dual-core xtensa 32-bit LX7 microprocessor, clock speed up to 240 MHz, with 16MB Flash and 8 MB PSRAM. Perfect for Arduino IoT projects requiring stable wireless communication with ultra-low power consumption.
- 🔧【Easy Programming & Debugging】 Equipped with dual USB Type-C ports, this ESP32-S3 board supports both USB and UART modes for effortless programming, firmware flashing, and debugging.
- 🌐【Versatile Wireless Connectivity】 Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0 (LE) dual-mode ensure seamless connectivity with a wide range of smart devices, making it ideal for IoT, smart homes projects.
- 🚀【Flexible Download Options】 Supports dual download methods — USB direct download or USB-to-serial download — offering flexibility and convenience for different development needs.Ideal for beginners and developers working with ESP32-S3.
- 🔋【Advanced Power-Saving Modes】 Designed for energy-efficient applications, with 3.3V SPI voltage, the ESP32-S3 board supports multiple low-power modes, allowing you to extend battery life based on different usage scenarios.
How the repository assigns the ESP32-S3 pins
The table summarizes the project’s wiring notes. Confirm every connection against the exact chip or module package, board layout and peripheral documentation before adapting the design. Espressif explains the chip’s GPIO multiplexing and peripheral routing in its ESP32-S3 Series Datasheet, version 2.2; that chip-level information does not validate this player’s board wiring.
| Function | Project connection |
|---|---|
| Display SPI | Clock GPIO12; MOSI GPIO11; chip select GPIO10; data/command GPIO9; reset GPIO48 |
| PCM5102A DAC | BCK GPIO1; DIN GPIO41; LRCK GPIO42; SCK to ground, as the project notes specify |
| microSD, SDIO | CLK GPIO14; CMD GPIO15; D0 GPIO2; D1 GPIO4; D2 GPIO47; D3 GPIO21 |
| Five-way controls | Up GPIO6; down GPIO7; previous/back GPIO16; next GPIO13; play/pause/shutdown GPIO40 |
| Battery-level monitor | Divider midpoint to an ADC-capable input; GPIO5 is given as an example |
Pin availability and peripheral routing can depend on the exact ESP32-S3 package and the way a board is wired. A pin number copied from this table is not, by itself, evidence that a different module or custom board will support the same connection.
Rank #2
- ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1-N16R8 SPI voltage: 3.3v, ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is an entry-level development board equipped with Wi-Fi + Bluetooth module ESP32-S3
- Most of the I/O pins on the module are broken out to the pin headers on both sides of this board for easy interfacing. Developers can either connect peripherals with jumper wires or mount ESP32-S3-DevKitC on a breadboard.
- The ESP32-S3-DevKitC development board equipped with ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1-N16R8, a general-purpose Wi-Fi + Bluetooth LE MCU module that integrates complete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE functions.
- ESP32-S3-N16R8 cable can be used: USB Type A to Type-C cable or CC cable Note the distinction between the commonly used USB A port to Type-C cable that can only be charged, which cannot be used for communication between YD-ESP32-S3 and the host.
- USB-to-UART Port and ESP32-S3 USB Port (either one or both), default power supply (recommended)
What to verify before building
Check the schematic and board design
Because the project uses an ESP32-S3 chip with support components, confirm the chip package, power connections, pull-ups, EN capacitor, reset and boot-button wiring, and the display’s FPC connection against the actual design files and component documentation. The README’s parts list alone is not a substitute for checking a schematic, footprints or electrical limits.
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The repository’s charging and USB-C notes are terse; they do not establish the battery chemistry details, protection arrangement, charging current limits, thermal behavior or safe operation of the proposed assembly. Before connecting a Li-Po cell, check the documentation for the exact battery, charger or regulator, protection circuit and board. Do not infer a validated charging circuit from the listed resistor or the project’s brief wiring notes.
Rank #3
- 【Low-power performance】: The AYWHP ESP32-S3 Core development board integrates a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE) dual-mode communication module, perfect for Arduino Internet of Things (IoT) projects.
- 【Simple programming and debugging】: The ESP32-S3 module makes it easy to program and burn in your ESP32-S3 board via dual USB Type-C ports, with a choice of USB or UART modes.
- 【Multiple Power Saving Modes】: The ESP S3 development board supports multiple low-power modes, which can be configured according to different application scenarios to provide longer battery life.
- 【Dual download modes】: The ESP S3-1 module supports both USB direct connection download and USB to serial port download, providing more flexibility and convenience.
- 【Diverse connectivity options】: The ESP32-S3-1 supports dual-mode Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 (LE) connectivity for a wide range of smart devices, making it ideal for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Plan for unknown playback behavior
The repository identifies an audio DAC and its signal connections, but the available project information does not establish which formats the firmware plays, whether the player supports headphones of a particular impedance, or how long it runs on a charge. Those are firmware and completed-hardware questions, not conclusions that can be drawn from the parts list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How this design differs from another ESP32-S3 player
A separate project, ESP32-S3-player, describes a different architecture. Its documented components and setup are not interchangeable with the design above.
Rank #4
- 【ESP32-S3 PERFORMANCE】Dual-core 240MHz processor with 16MB Flash and 8MB PSRAM for IoT, AI, and machine learning projects.
- 【WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY】Onboard antenna for 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 LE — for smart home devices, no external antenna needed.
- 【LEAD-FREE GOLD EDITION DESIGN】Immersion gold (ENIG) plating for durability and conductivity. Lead-free, RoHS-compliant — for long-term prototyping.
- 【PRE-SOLDERED, PLUG-IN DESIGN】ESP32-S3 boards come with pre-soldered headers and plug directly into the included expansion and terminal boards — no soldering required.
- 【MULTI-PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY】Works with C++, MicroPython, ESP-IDF, Raspberry Pi, and STM32 — with online tutorials for quick start. Power via USB-C (5V) or VIN pin (5–12V); do not exceed 5V on the USB-C ports.
| Design element | nellahonusova/esp32-dap | SaltyFishPro ESP32-S3-player |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 2.8-inch ILI9341, with an FPC connector | 1.14-inch TFT |
| Audio stage | PCM5102A DAC and 3.5 mm jack | WM8978 codec and NS4150B amplifier |
| Other named hardware | SDIO microSD slot; five-way button; battery-level divider | RTC; USB Type-C; microSD/TF expansion |
| Firmware/build notes | The README provides parts and wiring notes; a specific firmware setup is not established here | Instructions specify an ESP32S3 development-module configuration and Arduino environment |
| Measured cost, runtime or sound results | Not stated in the project information | Not stated in the project information |
The component differences can help you compare design approaches: a DAC and headphone-oriented output versus a codec plus an amplifier, for example. The available descriptions do not provide controlled measurements of audio quality, battery life, cost or ease of assembly, so they cannot establish which design performs better.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【GOLD EDITION — IMMERSION GOLD PCB】The Lonely Binary Gold Edition features a black PCB with lead-free immersion gold (ENIG) plating and clear silkscreen — the signature finish of the Lonely Binary Gold Edition line. RoHS-compliant.
- 【16MB FLASH + 8MB PSRAM】Large memory capacity for OTA updates, large programs, and AI/ML tasks — more headroom than 4MB boards for data-intensive IoT and automation projects.
- 【EXTERNAL IPEX ANTENNA】External IPEX antenna can be positioned for extended WiFi and Bluetooth signal coverage — for remote applications like weather stations, robots, or enclosed builds.
- 【DUAL USB TYPE-C PORTS】Separate power and data ports for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Power via USB-C (5V) or VIN pin (5–12V); do not exceed 5V on the USB-C ports.
- 【FLEXIBLE PROTOTYPING PINS】2x40-pin GPIO headers compatible with breadboards and sensors. Supports external ToF sensors via I2C for distance sensing.
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