CoreS3

SKU: K128

Description

CoreS3 is the third-generation host in the M5Stack development-kit series. It is powered by an ESP32-S3 solution featuring a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor running at 240 MHz, built-in Wi-Fi, 16 MB Flash and 8 MB PSRAM. Programs are downloaded via the Type-C port, which supports OTG and CDC, making it easy to connect USB peripherals and flash firmware.

On the front, a 2.0-inch capacitive-touch IPS display is protected by high-strength glass, and a 0.3 MP GC0308 camera is embedded beneath the screen together with an LTR-553ALS-WA proximity sensor. Power is managed by the AXP2101 PMIC and four independent power-path control circuits, delivering an overall low-power design. The board integrates a BMI270 six-axis IMU and a BMM150 magnetometer, a TF-card (microSD) slot, and a BM8563 RTC that provides precise timekeeping plus sleep–timer wake-up.

For audio output, a 16-bit I²S Hi-Fi amplifier AW88298 drives the built-in 1 W speaker. Audio input is handled by an ES7210 encoder with dual-microphone input. Independent Power and Reset (RST) buttons are located on the side; a dedicated delay circuit allows entry into download mode by long-pressing the reset button.

The CoreS3 kit ships with a DinBase, enabling DIN-rail, wall-mount or screw mounting. It can be powered by an external 12 V DC supply (9 – 24 V supported) or the internal 500 mAh Li-ion battery. Multiple proto areas on DinBase are reserved for user DIY.

This product is suited for IoT development, various DIY projects, smart-home control systems and industrial automation control systems.

Tutorial

Arduino IDE

This tutorial introduces how to program and control the CoreS3 device using the Arduino IDE.

UiFlow2

This tutorial introduces how to control the CoreS3 device via the UiFlow2 graphical programming platform.

Home Assistant

This tutorial introduces how to connect the CoreS3 to Home Assistant.

Features

Based on ESP32 development, supports WiFi @16M Flash, 8M PSRAM
Built-in camera, proximity sensor, speaker, power indicator, RTC, I2S amplifier, dual microphones, capacitive touch screen, power button, reset button, gyroscope
TF card slot
High-strength glass material
Supports OTG and CDC functions
Uses AXP2101 power management, low power consumption design
Development Platform
- UiFlow2
- Arduino IDE
- ESP-IDF
- PlatformIO

Includes

1 × CoreS3
1 × DinBase
1 x Hex Key L-Shape 2.5mm (For M3 Screw)
4 x Screw Clips
1 x Rail Base Clip

Applications

IoT development
Various DIY projects
Smart home control systems
Industrial automation control systems

Specifications

Specification	Parameters
SoC	ESP32-S3@Xtensa LX7, 16M Flash and 8M PSRAM, WiFi, OTG CDC functions
Touch IPS LCD Screen	2.0"@320 x 240 ILI9342C
Camera	GC0308@0.3MP
Proximity Sensor	LTR-553ALS-WA
Power Management Chip	AXP2101
Six-Axis Motion Sensor	BMI270
Three-Axis Magnetometer	BMM150
RTC	BM8563
Speaker	16-bit I2S amplifier chip AW88298@1W
Audio Encoder Chip	ES7210, dual microphone input
Product Size	Full kit (CoreS3 + DinBase): 69.0 x 54.0 x 31.5mm Main unit (CoreS3): 54.0 x 54.0 x 15.5mm
Product Weight	72.7g
Packaging Dimensions	105.6 x 66.0 x 35.3mm
Packaging Weight	101.8g

Learn

BMM150 Magnetic Field Interference

Products with magnets may interfere with the BMM150 magnetic field sensor, causing abnormal readings. When used with an M5 master control device containing a magnet, the magnet needs to be removed, and at the same time, the BMM150 sensor should be kept away from strong magnetic fields.

Download Mode

Before downloading the program, hold the reset button for 3 seconds (green light on) to enter download mode.

Power On/Off Operation

Power On/Off Operation:
Power On: Click the power button on the left
Power Off: Hold the power button on the left for 6 seconds
Reset: Click the RST button on the bottom
Download Mode: Hold the reset button for 3 seconds (green light on)

Power Management Mode

CoreS3 uses the AXP2101 power management chip. Users can set the power input and output direction according to the diagram below. For specific setup code, refer to M5Unified.

Certifications

CE/MIC/FCC/SAR

Schematics

1/8

PinMap

LCD Screen

LCD Resolution: 320x240

ESP32-S3	GPIO37	GPIO36	GPIO3	GPIO35
ILI9342C	MOSI	SCK	CS	DC

AW9523B	P1_1
ILI9342C	RST

AXP2101	DLDO	LX1
ILI9342C	BL	PWR

TF Card

TF Card supports up to 16GB

ESP32-S3	GPIO35	GPIO37	GPIO36	GPIO4
TF Card	MISO	MOSI	SCK	CS

Camera & Proximity Sensor LTR-553ALS-WA

ESP32-S3	GPIO12	GPIO11	GPIO45	GPIO46	GPIO38
GC0308	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL	CAM_PCLK	CAM_VSYNC	CAM_HREF
LTR-553ALS-WA	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL

AW9523B	P1_0
GC0308	CAM_RST

The LTR-553ALS-WA proximity sensor and camera are integrated on a single cable, using I2C for communication. For detailed communication addresses, refer to the table above.

CAP.TOUCH (I2C Addr: 0x38)

ESP32-S3	GPIO12	GPIO11
FT6336U	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL

AW9523B	P0_0	P1_2
FT6336U	TOUCH_RST	TOUCH_INT

Microphone & Amplifier

ESP32-S3	GPIO12	GPIO11	GPIO34	GPIO33	GPIO13	GPIO14	GPIO0
ES7210(0x40)	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL	I2S_BCK	I2S_WCK	I2S_DATO		I2S_MCLK
AW88298(0x36)	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL	I2S_BCK	I2S_WCK		I2S_DAT1

AW9523B	P0_2	P1_3
AW88298	AW_RST	AW_INT

AXP Power Indicator

AXP2101	AXP_CHG_LED
Red LED	RTC_VDD

RTC

ESP32-S3	GPIO12	GPIO11
BM8563	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL

AXP2101	IRQ
BM8563	AXP_WAKEUP

IMU (3-Axis Gyroscope + 3-Axis Accelerometer + 3-Axis Magnetometer)

ESP32-S3	GPIO12	GPIO11
BMI270	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL

Internal I2C Connections

ESP32-S3	GPIO12	GPIO11
BMI270	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL
AXP2101	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL
BM8563	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL
ES7210	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL
AW88298	I2C_SYS_SDA	I2C_SYS_SCL

BMM150

BMI270	BMI270_ASDx	BMI270_ASCx
BMM150	BMM_SDA	BMM_SCL

BMM150 Mounted on BMI270

Integrating BMM150 via BMI270’s Sensor Hub auxiliary I2C interface for unified 9‑axis sensor data collection

HY2.0-4P

HY2.0-4P	Black	Red	Yellow	White
PORT.A	GND	5V	G2	G1
PORT.B	GND	5V	G9	G8
PORT.C	GND	5V	G17	G18

M5-Bus

Model Size

Cores3 Model Dimensions DXF

Datasheets

Softwares

Quick Start

Arduino

UiFlow2

PlatformIO

CoreS3 Factory Firmware

[env:m5stack-cores3]
platform = espressif32@6.3.2
board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
framework = arduino
upload_speed = 1500000
monitor_speed = 115200
build_flags =
    -DESP32S3
    -DBOARD_HAS_PSRAM
    -mfix-esp32-psram-cache-issue
    -DCORE_DEBUG_LEVEL=5
    -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
    -DARDUINO_USB_MODE=1
lib_deps =
    M5Unified=https://github.com/m5stack/M5Unified

ESP-IDF

Easyloader

Easyloader	Download	Note
CoreS3 Touch Screen Repair Firmware Easyloader	download	/
CoreS3 Factory Firmware Easyloader	download	/

Other

CoreS3 Restore Factory Firmware Tutorial
I2C Communication Address

Chip	ADDRESS
AW88298 ADDR	0x36
AW9523 ADDR	0x58
AXP2101 ADDR	0x34
BM8563 ADDR	0x51
BMI270 ADDR	0x69
BMM150 ADDR	0x10
ES7210 ADDR	0x40
FT6336 ADDR	0x38
GC0308 ADDR	0X21
LTR553 ADDR	0x23

Video

How to use USB port execute code on UiFlow2

Burning UIFLow2 to CoreS3