Key Takeaways
1. The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is a 13.3-inch six-color e-paper display designed for low-power IoT and smart home projects.
2. It features an ESP32-S3-WROOM-2-N32R16V module with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, 32 MB flash memory, and 16 MB PSRAM.
3. The board has a long battery life, consuming only 14 µA in deep sleep mode, allowing for 40 to 50 days of backup on a single charge.
4. It is open-source, with programming support for Arduino IDE, MicroPython, and upcoming ESPHome compatibility.
5. The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is available for backing on Crowd Supply, starting at $309, with international shipping options.
This is not the first time that Soldered Electronics has introduced an e-Paper display. As we previously mentioned, they launched the Inkplate 6 in 2019, followed by the Inkplate 10 in 2021, and the Inkplate 2 in late 2022. Now, they have unveiled the Inkplate 13SPECTRA, a sizable 13.3-inch (1600 x 1200) six-color e-paper development board that utilizes E-Ink Spectra technology, tailored for low-power IoT and smart home projects.
Specifications of the Board
The board comes equipped with an ESP32-S3-WROOM-2-N32R16V module featuring a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor, 32 MB of flash memory, and 16 MB of PSRAM. This module also supports both Bluetooth and wifi connectivity. To accommodate image storage, the board has a microSD card slot, and it includes an RTC with a battery holder for accurate timekeeping. For expansion, there are three onboard Qwiic connectors and a 16-pin GPIO header, while the board’s USB Type-C port allows for power, programming, and battery charging, complete with dedicated boot and reset buttons.
Battery Life and Performance
When it comes to the battery, the company states that the display can work with a 3.7V, 3,000 mAh Li-ion battery through an onboard JST connector. It consumes only 14 µA in deep sleep mode, providing around 40 to 50 days of backup on a single charge, even with hourly display updates. Each update takes about 20 to 30 seconds to finish, which includes downloading, processing, and refreshing the image on the display.
The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is completely open-source, with hardware specifications, software resources, and product documentation accessible on Soldered’s documentation page. In terms of software, it can be programmed using the Arduino IDE along with popular libraries like LVGL and Inkplate. Additionally, MicroPython support is available through specific Python modules on the company’s GitHub repository. Soldered also mentions that ESPHome support is in progress and should be ready by the time shipments begin.
Pricing and Availability
The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is now up for backing on Crowd Supply. The Base Edition starts at US$309, while the package that includes a 3D-printed enclosure and a 3000 mAh Li-ion battery is available for US$349. International shipping is offered for $12, with orders anticipated to ship by June 30, 2026.
Source:
Link