1.8-inch Knob Display features ESP32-S3 and ESP32 SoC

The Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.8-inch Knob display is a compact, CNC metal-cased display development board which comes with dual MCUs: an ESP32-S3 and an ESP32. Designed for smart control interfaces, multimedia playback, and PC peripheral applications, it supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, capacitive touch, and knob-based UI, making it ideal for desktop gadgets, DIY productivity tools, and secondary displays.

The board features a 1.8-inch 360×360 capacitive touch IPS display, 16MB Flash, 8MB PSRAM, dual encoders, and an audio DAC (PCM5100A) with a 3.5mm jack. It includes a digital microphone, vibration motor (DRV2605), TF card slot, and battery charging circuitry (with optional 3.7V LiPo). It supports real-time audio visualization, Pomodoro timer themes, photo/video swiping, TXT reading, and Bluetooth-based PC volume control. Type-C USB handles programming and switching between MCUs.

Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.8-inch Knob display specifications

• Main Controller:
  • ESP32-S3R8 dual-core LX7 MCU @ 240MHz with 8MB PSRAM
  • ESP32-U4WDH MCU @ 240MHz with 4MB Flash
• Memory & Storage:
  • 16MB Flash memory
  • 8MB PSRAM (for ESP32-S3)
  • SD card slot for external storage
• Display:
  • 1.8-inch IPS round display
  • 360 × 360 resolution, 262K color
  • Capacitive touch panel (CST816 touch controller)
  • QSPI interface
  • ST77916 display driver
• Audio:
  • PCM5100A stereo DAC (I2S interface)
  • Digital MEMS microphone
  • 3.5mm audio jack (external speaker required)
  • Real-time audio spectrum display
• User Interface:
  • Dual rotary encoders (one for each MCU)
  • Vibration motor (DRV2605 driver)
  • Power button
  • BOOT button for firmware download
  • Backlight brightness control via knob
• Connectivity:
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)
  • Bluetooth 5 (LE) and Classic Bluetooth
  • USB Type-C for programming/power
  • Automatic switch between ESP32-S3 USB and ESP32 UART via Type-C orientation
• Battery & Power:
  • Optional 3.7V 800mAh 102035 Lithium battery
  • Battery charging management onboard
  • PH1.25 lithium battery header
• Misc:
  • CNC aluminum alloy enclosure
  • Onboard ceramic antenna
  • PH1.27 10P SMD connector
  • CH445P analog switch IC
  • Dual encoder for ESP32-S3 and ESP32
  • Vibration motor (DRV2605 driver over I²C)
  • Power button
• Dimensions: 66 x 22 mm
• Enclosure: CNC-machined metal case

This compact Knob Display development board can be programmed with both  Arduino IDE and ESP-IDF, with example code and setup instructions available on Waveshare’s wiki page. Thhe company mentiosn that the baord uses LVGL library to make custom UI so you can design your own from that.

What’s interesting about this board is the dual ESP32 and the implementation of H445P 4-SPDT analog switch IC, with the support of this IC, Waveshare is using a single USB to program both the ESP32s. As mentioned earlier, there are two ESP32s: one SP32-S3R8, which probably handles the main application logic, GUI rendering, touchscreen, and rotary knob input, audio spectrum visualization, and communication. The other one should be used to handle low-level IOs

The ESP32-S3-Knob-Touch-LCD-1.8 includes the device and back cover. It’s available for $46.99 on Waveshare, $48.75 on AliExpress, and $52.99 on Amazon. Prices vary by taxes and shipping.