Meet SQUiXL; a powerful and versatile development device combining a high-resolution capacitive touch display with comprehensive hardware capabilities.

SQUiXL is designed specifically for makers, hardware engineers, embedded developers and home automation enthusiasts.

High-Resolution Capacitive Touch Display

Leverage a 4-inch, 480x480 RGB display (ST7701S) paired with precise capacitive touch (GT911) with up to 5 finger tracking, perfect for designing interactive UIs, data visualization, IoT dashboards, and real-time embedded applications.

ESP32-S3 Core Performance

Powered by the dual-core 32-bit ESP32-S3 processor running at 240MHz, along with 16MB QSPI Flash and 8MB Octal PSRAM, SQUiXL ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of resource-intensive firmware and software tasks.

Comprehensive Connectivity

Built-in 2.4GHz WiFi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 BLE + Mesh support provide reliable wireless communication, with an internally mounted external high-gain antenna designed for optimal signal reception and transmission in challenging environments.

Robust Power Management

SQUiXL includes advanced LiPo battery charging circuitry and management, with an included 1S 1500mAh battery. Charge the device even while powered down, and monitor battery health accurately using the integrated I2C battery fuel gauge (MAX1704X). A low-power RTC (RV-3028-C7) ensures precision timekeeping for real-time applications, even when your SQUiXL is in deep sleep.

Efficient Development Features

Encased in a lightweight, ergonomic enclosure, SQUiXL features a magnetic connector for simplified USB-based firmware updates and battery charging. The included magnetic USB-C adapter enables convenient desktop-based development and debugging, while the optional docking station facilitates vertical orientation for easy viewing and interaction during development. See more on the docking station below.

Hardware Protection and Reliability

Designed for real-world engineering environments, SQUiXL features robust ESD protection on USB and all physical buttons, a dedicated 5V presence detection circuit, and convenient hardware buttons (Power, IO0/Boot, Reset) essential for rapid development and troubleshooting.

Integrated Peripherals and Expansion

• Audio output via an I2S audio amplifier (MAX98357A) driving an internal 8-ohm, 2W speaker. allows for sound, music and voice playback with exceptional quality.

• Haptic feedback through the DRV2605L driver and motor offers responsive user interaction and allows for silent notifications - for those awkward moments ;)

• Built-in uSD card slot for expandable local storage solutions (shares the IO from the I2S Audio Amp, see below)

• STEMMA/QT connector allows for effortless addition of I2C sensors and peripherals.

Core Specifications

• ESP32-S3 - 32Bit Dual Core 240MHz
• 2.4GHz WiFi - 802.11b/g/n
• Bluetooth 5, BLE + Mesh
• 16MB QSPI Flash
• 8MB Extra Octal PSRAM
• Magnetic Connector + USB adapter
• ESD protection on USB and buttons
• 5V presence detection
• LiPo Battery Charging
• Battery charging while power is off
• Includes a 1S 1500mAh battery.
• External High Gain Antenna (internal)

Included Peripherals

• 4 Inch 480x480 RGB Display (ST7701S)
• Capacitive Touch (GT911)
• Power On/Off Button
• IO0/Boot Button
• Reset Button
• IO Expander (LCA9555)
• IO MUX (TMUX1574RSVR)
• uSD Card Slot **
• I2S Audio Amplifier (MAX98357A) **
• 8 Ohm, 2W Speaker
• Haptic driver and Motor (DRV2605L)
• I2C Low Power RTC (RV-3028-C7)
• I2C Battery Fuel Gauge (MAX1704X)
• STEMMA/QT for additional I2C expansion

The uSD slot and the I2S Amplifier cannot be used at the same time. They share the same IO, controlled via an included IOMUX. The SQUiXL library and FW framework includes functionality for switching between the 2 devices as needed.

Ships Fully Assembled

SQUiXL comes fully assembled, and cases are available in a range of Matte colors. Pick your favourite color or if you are feeling lucky, select the Surprise Me! option :) The USB-C magnetic adapter and the magnetic dock only ship in Matte Black.. but Matte Black goes with everything!

Your SQUiXL will be powered down when packed into the box as part of the postal requirements for shipping an item that has a battery in it, but once you open the box and take your SQUiXL out, a 1 second press of the PWR button on the back will power it right up.

Firmware and Example Code

SQUiXL ships with firmware that both showcases it's capabilities as well as offering some functionality including a clock, local weather (if you connect your Open Weather API Key), random Joke display plus more, and the shipping firmware is in active development, as it's used to expand the main SQUiXL library functionality.

The shipping firmware requires your SQUiXL to be connected to your WiFi network, and includes a WiFi manager to help you do that with initial boot onscreen help to guide you through the process.

SQUiXL firmware development is currently done via PlatformIO using the Arduino framework, and the shipping firmware and SQUiXL library are open source, and is available on GitHub. Work is being done to allow the firmware to also be developed inside the Arduino IDE if that is your preference. Stay tuned on that.

The example firmware includes support to enable OTA for wireless updates and also includes a web-server with many of the SQUiXL settings available to modify.

The list of GPIO being used, including on the ESP32-S3, the IO Expander and the IOMUX are available in the GitHub readme.

Official SQUiXL Examples Repo

There are also other example projects available including a base SQUiXL project for LVGL in PlatformIO, for those that would like to create their UI via that framework. This also opens support for using your SQUiXL with the Home Assistant platform.

I plan to provide additional example projects over time.

MicroPython and CircuitPython support

I have been working on integrating the ESP32-S3 RGB Peripheral (used to drive the display) into MicroPython with great progress so far. I am also working on a new MicroPython UI Library for SQUiXL and have some early examples almost ready. MicroPython examples and SQUiXL firmware will be available soon in GitHub.

CircuitPython already has support for the ESP32-S3 RGB Peripheral, so I plan on adding SQUiXL support to CircuitPython soon, though someone from the community might end up providing that before I get a chance to... fingers crossed!

The Dock

When I first decided to design SQUiXL, I wanted a display that sat on my desk that was at a viewable angle and that allowed for comfortable interaction. My first designs included a folding hinge and a bracket to keep it on an angle... not great ideas!

As time went by and the project evolved - portability became an important feature, but I didn't want to lose my desk based goals either, so I decided to implement a magnetic USB connector on SQUiXL and design a magnetic dock so SQUiXL could easily be inserted and removed without needing to plug-in or un-plug cables, or worry about flipping out a stand. Not only does the dock (and SQUiXL) have a magnetic connector for USB, but they both also have additional magnetic attachment points and an insertion guide to ensure SQUiXL connects into place with no risk of miss-alignment, and no chance of un-intentional disconnection.

The magnetic dock ships "mostly assembled" - It comes in 2 parts with 2 small M2.5 screws that you need to assemble. This is so it takes less space to reduce shipping costs.

The dock has compartments in the base to insert M10 sized nuts, to help add weight to it. The nuts do not come with the dock as the extra weight would more than double the shipping cost, and well, everyone can source M10 nuts very easily, for very little cost.

The bottom of the dock also comes with rubber feet to help prevent slipping/moving on your desk when you are poking at the screen :)

Alternative Docking Options?

As shown on a recent livestream, I'm also working on a wall-mountable magnetic dock for SQUiXL that will allow people to mount their SQUiXL on a wall and provide a 5V power source to it, for charging, or to just stick the mount onto a fridge or alternate location, where the SQUiXL can be mounted and run off battery.

Over time I plan to explore other mountable options.

Shipping Note:

I am unable to offer International Express Post for any packages containing a SQUiXL due to last mile delivery restrictions because of the included battery. International Standard Post is fine though. Sorry for the inconvenience.

This product page is a a work in progress.

All products purchased on this store ship directly from me here in Melbourne, Australia.

Orders are processed daily and usually go out the same day they are paid for - allowing for time zone differences of course.

Finally, postage rates suck, sorry :( I'm embarrassed by how much it costs to ship items overseas since COVID, and I do my best to improve rates where I can.

Postage delivery times, if stated, are based on current expectations from Australia Post and may vary.

Please keep in mind that there are still occasional postage delays, including flights out of Australia and inbound customs processing into many countries.