dev.to Article - English
Title: ESP32-S31: The New Espressif IoT Chip That Changes Everything
Hey makers! Got some exciting news — Espressif just dropped the ESP32-S31, their most capable IoT chip yet. And it's a pretty big deal.
What's Inside
- CPU: RISC-V dual-core @ 320 MHz with SIMD instructions
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 5.4 (LE Audio + Classic), IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread + Zigbee)
- Wired: Built-in Gigabit Ethernet
- Memory: 512 KB SRAM + up to 250 MHz PSRAM support
- Security: Secure boot, memory encryption, cryptographic acceleration, TEE
- Protocol: Full Matter protocol support
Why This Matters
1. RISC-V Architecture
For the first time, Espressif chose RISC-V over Xtensa for a high-end ESP32 chip. RISC-V is an open ISA — meaning anyone can build toolchains, compilers, and libraries without vendor restrictions. The community can innovate freely.
2. All the Protocols in One Chip
Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 + Thread + Zigbee + Ethernet — all in one package. If you've ever wired up multiple modules just to get all these protocols, you know how game-changing this is.
3. Matter-Ready
Matter is the unified smart home standard backed by Amazon, Google, Apple, and Samsung. ESP32-S31 has full Matter support, meaning devices you build will work across all major ecosystems out of the box.
Perfect For
- Smart Home Hub: Multi-protocol in one board, Matter-ready
- Industrial IoT Gateway: Ethernet + Wi-Fi 6 for reliability-critical applications
- Edge AI Device: Dual-core 320 MHz + SIMD is enough for small AI workloads
- Smart Speaker / HMI: DVP camera interface and LCD support built in
Price & Availability
No official pricing yet, but expect it to land in the ESP32-S3 price range — which means industrial-grade IoT at hobbyist prices.
The Big Picture
The shift to RISC-V is the most interesting move here. It signals Espressif is opening up, letting the community build beyond what the company can do alone. For makers, this means more flexibility, more community-driven development, and ultimately more powerful projects.
If you're planning a smart home or IoT gateway project for late 2026, the ESP32-S31 should be on your radar.
Tags: #ESP32 #IoT #RISCV #SmartHome #Maker #WiFi6 #Bluetooth #Thread #Zigbee #Matter
