ESP32 Tutorials: Chapter1 - Lesson1: Introduction, Features, and Different Types
Introduction
If you are interested to IoT, robotics, or smart devices, you've probably heard of the ESP32. But what makes this tiny microcontroller so special that most engineers and hobbyist prefer it over Arduino or Raspberry pi
In this tutorial, we’ll take a look at the ESP32 and its features, specifications, and different versions. By the end of this post, you’ll know which ESP32 module is right for your project!
What is ESP32?
The ESP32 is a high-performance microcontroller developed by Espressif Systems. It’s the successor to the ESP8266 but with massive improvements in processing power, connectivity, and functionality.
ESP8266 vs ESP32 Comparison:
The ESP32 is like a mini-computer that allows you to build smart, connected devices without needing external Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules. Best of all, it’s extremely affordable, about $5.
ESP32 Key Features
Here are the main reasons why ESP32 is so powerful:
- Dual-Core Processing Power
Unlike the ESP8266, which has a single-core processor, ESP32 comes with a dual-core Tensilica Xtensa LX6 running at up to 240 MHz. This allows multitasking—one core can handle Wi-Fi communication while the other runs application logic. - Built-in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
With both Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth (Classic + BLE), ESP32 is perfect for IoT applications that require wireless connectivity. - GPIOs: 34+ Pins for Customization
ESP32 has over 34 General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins, allowing flexibility for connecting sensors, motors, displays, and more.
4.Low Power Modes for Battery-Powered Projects
ESP32 has multiple low-power modes, such as Deep Sleep, where it consumes as little as 10µA, making it ideal for battery-powered applications.
5.ADC, DAC, and PWM Support
ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) – Reads sensor values
DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) – Outputs analog signals
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) – Controls brightness, motor speed, etc.
ESP32 vs Other Microcontrollers
While the Arduino Uno R4 WiFi does have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it still lacks the dual-core power, multiple ADC channels, and low-power modes of ESP32. Raspberry Pi, on the other hand, is more of a mini-computer, while ESP32 is a microcontroller.
Different Types of ESP32
Not all ESP32s are the same! Here are some of the most common variants:
ESP32-WROOM-32
Most common version
Ideal for general IoT and DIY projectsESP32-WROVER
Comes with additional PSRAM
Perfect for AI, image processing, and complex applicationsESP32-CAM
Has a built-in camera
Used for security cameras, face recognition, and QR code scannersESP32-S2 & ESP32-S3
Newer models with built-in USB support
Ideal for AI vision projectsESP32-C3
Based on RISC-V architecture instead of Xtensa
Optimized for ultra-low power and Bluetooth 5.0
There are also other types and variations but here we named the most common ones.
Real-World Applications of ESP32
Here are some common use cases for ESP32:
🏠 Home Automation – Smart lights, IoT switches
🤖 Robotics – ESP32-powered robots
📶 IoT Sensors – Weather stations, remote monitoring
📷 Security Cameras – ESP32-CAM for face recognition
That’s it for this introduction, In the next tutorial, we’ll set up ESP32 with Arduino IDE,PlatformIO and ESP-IDF so you can start programming. thanks for following and reading my content.
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Great
Looking forward to it
Great video friend. Very well explained. Might need to do extra research lol.
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Sure! Since the content style on DIYHub is focused on practicality, I started with a brief introduction, and my upcoming videos will feature hands-on examples and walkthroughs. Thanks for the helpful advice!
That's Great.
Thank you for always sharing.
Just a tip for consideration. If you could also do a "200" words brief summary of the video. That would be great, a most people would prefer to read.
Nevertheless, fine work.
This is my first video on 3speak, I didn't know it is also going to be shared on peakd, and right now I am working on writing the whole text here as well
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Yeah it's great. Your gets published on the hive blockchain also so everyone can seem regardless, mine is just a suggestion, it's not mandatory.
Don't hesitate to ask me anything you found confusing on here. Can be a bit overwhelming a times, even for an experience author.
I've been around seven years and a still get confused and ask lots of questions sometimes, lol
Thanks again for the help, sure I will try to ask first in the future and also now I edited the post and fixed it.
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