What is the difference between M5StickC PLUS and PLUS2?

Rapid classification M5StickC, M5StickC PLUS, M5StickC PLUS2

M5StickC

The M5StickC is a compact M5Stack controller powered by ESP32. It is a portable, easy-to-use, open-source IoT development board suitable for various IoT projects. This small device can turn your ideas into reality, fuel your creativity, and assist in quickly prototyping your IoT project. It simplifies the development process and serves as a key component of the M5Stack product series.

Note： This product is EOL now.

M5StickC PLUS

The M5StickC PLUS is the larger-screen version of the M5StickC, with the ESP32-PICO-D4 module featuring WiFi as the main control. Despite its compact size, it packs various hardware resources, such as infrared, RTC, microphone, LEDs, IMU, buttons, buzzer, and PMU. The 1.14-inch TFT screen with a 135 * 240 resolution represents an 18.7% increase in display area compared to the previous 0.96-inch screen. Additionally, it now boasts a 120mAh battery capacity and supports HAT and Unit series products.

M5StickC PLUS

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M5StickC PLUS2

The M5StickC PLUS2 is an enhanced version of the M5StickC PLUS. It is powered by the ESP32-PICO-V3-02 chip with built-in WIFI functionality. This compact device is equipped with various hardware resources such as infrared, RTC, microphone, LED, and IMU. The buttons and buzzer are controlled by the ST7789V2, which also drives the 1.14-inch TFT screen with a resolution of 135*240. The battery capacity has been increased to 200mAh, and the interface supports HAT and Unit series products. This small and compact development tool is designed to inspire creativity.

M5StickC PLUS2

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M5StickC PLUS VS M5StickC PLUS2

The M5StickC PLUS2 has been upgraded in several aspects compared to the M5StickC PLUS.

The adoption of a more powerful ESP32-PICO-V3-02 chip with 2MB PSRAM and larger 8MB Flash memory enhances overall performance and scalability, enabling the PLUS2 to handle more complex applications, especially those requiring additional memory, such as real-time data processing or image buffering.
The M5Stack PLUS2 has been upgraded with the CH9102 USB-to-serial converter to provide more reliable USB serial communication, especially in scenarios where high-speed data transfer and low-latency communication are in high demand.
The device's battery capacity has been enhanced to 200mAh, effectively prolonging the operational lifespan of the device.
In addition, the power management unit and LED indicators have been improved for a more rational overall layout and a better operating experience. These upgrades make PLUS2 more suitable for handling complex tasks and demanding application scenarios.

Resources	M5StickC Plus	M5StickC PLUS2
ESP32	ESP32-PICO-D4, 240MHz dual core	ESP32-PICO-V3-02, 240MHz dual core
ESP32	600 DMIPS, 520KB SRAM, Wi-Fi	support wifi, 2 MB SPI PSRAM, 8 MB SPI flash
PSRAM	-	2 MB
Flash Memory	4MB	8MB
Power Input	5V @ 500mA
Port	TypeC x 1, GROVE(I2C+I/O+UART) x 1	TypeC x 1, GROVE(I2C+I/O+UART) x 1
LCD screen	1.14 inch, 135*240 Colorful TFT LCD, ST7789v2
Button	Custom button x 2	Custom button x 3
LED	RED LED	GREEN LED
MEMS	MPU6886
Buzzer	built-in buzzer
IR	Infrared transmission
MIC	SPM1423
RTC	BM8563
PMU	AXP192	TIMER POWER
Battery	120 mAh @ 3.7V	200mAh @ 3.7V
Antenna	2.4G 3D Antenna
PIN port	G0, G25/G36, G26, G32, G33	G0, G25/G26, G36, G32, G33
Operating Temperature	0°C to 60°C	0°C to 40°C
Case Material	Plastic ( PC )

Basic Function Comparison

LED Difference

The difference between turning on and off

Product Name	Power on	Power off
M5STICKC PLUS	Press the reset BUTTON (BUTTON C) for at least 2 seconds	Press the reset BUTTON (BUTTON C) for at least 6 seconds
M5STICKC PLUS2	It can be started by pressing 'BUTTON C' for more than 2 seconds, or IRQ signal triggered by RTC regularly. After triggering the wake up signal, it is necessary to set the hold(G4) pin to high level (1) in program initialization to maintain the power supply, otherwise the device will enter the shutdown state again.	When no USB external power supply is available, press BUTTON C for more than 6 seconds. Or when there is no USB external power supply, set HOLD(GPIO4)=0 in the program operation, that is, to achieve power off. When the USB is connected, press the 'BUTTON C' button for more than 6 seconds to turn off the screen and enter the hibernation state, but not power off.

Since the M5StickC PLUS2 no longer includes the AXP192 PMIC power management chip, the power switching mode has changed. While the operation remains the same, the program’s supported library files will differ. Both the Wi-Fi and infrared signals have been enhanced compared to previous versions.

Software support and ecosystem

The M5StickC Plus is a powerful and versatile tool that excels in both hardware and software. It offers a comprehensive library of files and sample code, providing developers with everything they need to get started and quickly bring their creative ideas to life. Furthermore, the Plus is compatible with the Arduino IDE, allowing developers to tap into the extensive resources of the Arduino community to expand their applications.

The M5StickC PLUS2 offers unparalleled software support. The PLUS2 not only inherits the software ecosystem of the Plus but also adds support for MicroPython. This lightweight implementation of Python allows developers to program in the simple and easy-to-understand Python language, greatly lowering the threshold for programming. For beginners, this is a significant advantage. Furthermore, PLUS2 supports the ESP-IDF development framework, which provides professional developers with more control.

In terms of ecosystem, both M5StickC PLUS2 and Plus can access the ecosystem of M5Stack, which provides a tool called M5Burner that allows users to burn firmware and update programs with ease.

Advantages of M5StickC PLUS2 over M5StickC Plus

Category	M5StickC PLUS2	M5StickC Plus
Microcontroller	Upgraded microcontroller with improved performance	Standard performance with ESP32 core
USB-to-Serial Converter	CH9102 (More stable and faster data transfer)	CP2104
Programming Support	Supports MicroPython and ESP-IDF	Limited to Arduino IDE
Power Management	Simplified design without AXP192 PMIC	Uses AXP192 PMIC for power management
Wi-Fi Signal	Stronger Wi-Fi signal for better connectivity	Standard Wi-Fi performance
Infrared Signal	Enhanced infrared signal strength	Standard infrared performance
Flexibility for Developers	Offers more control with ESP-IDF and MicroPython	Arduino-based development only
Ease of Use for Beginners	MicroPython lowers the entry barrier for new developers	Requires more C/C++ knowledge for Arduino programming
Library and Ecosystem	Inherits M5StickC Plus ecosystem with added MicroPython libraries	Standard library support for Arduino IDE
Power Consumption	Lower overall power consumption	Higher power consumption with AXP192 PMIC

The M5StickC PLUS2 offers several improvements over the M5StickC Plus, including stronger Wi-Fi and infrared signals, a more stable USB-to-serial converter (CH9102), and support for both MicroPython and ESP-IDF. These upgrades provide developers with more flexibility and better performance. The removal of the AXP192 power management chip results in simpler power management and lower power consumption. Additionally, the MicroPython support in the PLUS2 makes it more accessible for beginners, while professionals benefit from the ESP-IDF framework for more advanced control.

FAQ

Comparison of ESP32-PICO-D4 vs. ESP32-PICO-V3

Category	ESP32-PICO-D4	ESP32-PICO-V3
Microcontroller Core	Dual-core Xtensa LX6	Dual-core Xtensa LX6
Clock Speed	Up to 240 MHz	Up to 240 MHz
RAM	520 KB SRAM	520 KB SRAM
Flash Memory	4 MB embedded flash	4 MB embedded flash
Wi-Fi Standard	802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)	802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2 BR/EDR and BLE	Bluetooth 4.2 BR/EDR and BLE
Integrated Components	RF balun, power amplifier, filters, crystal oscillators	Same components, with improved performance
Key Improvement	Initial version	Improved power management and RF performance
Chip Revision	ESP32 (original)	ESP32 ECO V3 (improved silicon revision)
Power Consumption	Higher than ESP32-PICO-V3	Lower power consumption, especially in deep sleep
Security Features	Basic security features	Enhanced security with improved hardware encryption
Operating Temperature	-40°C to 85°C	-40°C to 85°C
Target Use Case	General IoT applications	Optimized for IoT with better efficiency and performance

What is the difference between PRAM and SRAM?

Category	PRAM (Phase-Change RAM)	SRAM (Static RAM)
Working Principle	Uses phase-change materials (e.g., GST - Germanium-Antimony-Tellurium) to switch between crystalline and amorphous states to store data	Utilizes flip-flop circuits (6 transistors) to maintain data stability
Storage Type	Non-volatile (Data is retained after power loss)	Volatile (Data is lost when power is off)
Read/Write Speed	Moderate speed, faster than NAND Flash	High-speed read/write, ideal for real-time access
Power Consumption	Low power consumption, suitable for long-term operation	High power consumption, requires continuous power to retain data
Storage Capacity	Higher capacity, suitable for large data storage	Lower capacity, mainly used for caching
Latency	Low latency but not as fast as SRAM	Ultra-low latency, fast response time
Durability	Limited write cycles but more stable than NAND Flash	Highly reliable, suitable for critical tasks
Typical Applications	Embedded systems, IoT devices, smart devices	CPU/GPU caches, networking equipment, real-time data processing
Cost	Moderate cost, cheaper than SRAM but more expensive than DRAM	High cost, more expensive than PRAM and DRAM

Benefits of PRAM and SRAM

Category	PRAM (Phase-Change RAM)	SRAM (Static RAM)
Non-Volatile	Retains data after power loss	Data is lost when power is off
High Speed	Moderate speed, faster than NAND Flash	Extremely fast, ideal for CPU/GPU caches
Power Consumption	Low power consumption, suitable for long-term operation	High power consumption, requires constant power
Storage Density	Higher capacity, suitable for large data storage	Lower capacity, mainly used for caching
Write Speed	Faster write speed than NAND Flash	N/A
Reliability	More stable with better write endurance	Highly reliable, suitable for critical systems
Circuit Design	N/A	Simple design with flip-flop circuits
Latency	Low latency, but not as fast as SRAM	Ultra-low latency, perfect for real-time processing

PLUS2 Driver Installation

Click the link below to download the driver that matches the operating system. There are currently two driver chip versions, CP34X (for CH9102) driver compressed package. After decompressing the compressed package, select the installation package corresponding to the number of operating systems to install. If the program cannot be downloaded normally (the prompt is overtime or Failed to write to target RAM), you can try to reinstall the device driver.

Driver name	Applicable driver chip	Download link
CH9102_VCP_SER_Windows	CH9102	Download
CH9102_VCP_SER_MacOS v1.7	CH9102	Download

Benefits of Larger Flash Memory

More Program Storage: Larger flash memory allows the storage of more complex programs, libraries, and multiple firmware versions, enabling the device to run sophisticated applications.
Data Logging and Buffering: Devices with larger flash memory can store more data logs locally, which is useful for IoT applications that collect data over time without needing constant network access.
Firmware Updates and Over-the-Air (OTA) Support: Larger flash allows for OTA firmware updates, where multiple versions of firmware can be stored simultaneously, reducing downtime during updates.
Multiple Libraries and Frameworks: Developers can store and use multiple libraries and frameworks (e.g., MicroPython, ESP-IDF) without running out of space, improving flexibility and compatibility.
Media Storage: Enables the storage of images, audio, and other media files, which is useful for multimedia projects like IoT displays or interactive devices.
Bootloader and Redundancy: Supports more advanced bootloaders and redundant firmware storage, ensuring safer firmware upgrades and reducing the risk of system crashes.
Secure Data Storage: Larger flash allows for the storage of encryption keys, certificates, and sensitive data, improving security, especially in IoT and industrial applications.
Extended Application Features: Developers can build applications with more features and larger codebases that require significant memory, avoiding compromises in functionality.