LILYGO Launches T-Dongle S3 Plus Dev Board
The USB flash-drive-style ESP32-S3 board adds a color display, microSD storage, a microphone and an infrared transmitter.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Semiconductors
LILYGO has released the T-Dongle S3 Plus, an ESP32-S3 development board housed in a USB flash-drive enclosure. It follows the company's earlier ESP32-C5-based T-Dongle C5 and is listed at $16.71 through LILYGO's official store.
Why it matters
The board packs display, storage, audio input and infrared hardware into a compact form factor for developers building connected devices. Its optional Microchip ATECC508A security chip gives builders a hardware route to cryptographic key handling.
The board pairs a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor with 16MB of Quad-SPI flash, 8MB of OPI PSRAM and 512KB of internal SRAM, plus 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5 LE. An optional ATECC508A chip provides ECDSA, ECDH and random-number generation, but it ships without its application configuration programmed.
The players
LILYGO
LILYGO is a Chinese electronics company known for its ESP32-based development boards and open-hardware modules sold to hobbyists and engineers worldwide.
Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology is a US semiconductor manufacturer whose ATECC508A cryptographic authentication chip is widely used in embedded security applications.
The details
The T-Dongle S3 Plus integrates a 0.96-inch color display, microSD storage, a PDM microphone connected through GPIO8 and GPIO9, and an infrared transmitter on GPIO7. Selected configurations support the Microchip ATECC508A security chip, which must be configured by the developer before use.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: LILYGO introduced the ESP32-C5-based T-Dongle C5, preceding the S3 Plus release.
The Tech Race
The T-Dongle S3 Plus extends Espressif's ESP32-S3 platform into a portable USB-stick form factor, a niche that competes with compact boards from other development-kit makers. LILYGO's pairing of the S3 with the earlier C5 release shows the company spreading its ESP32 line across successive chip generations.
Developers can use the T-Dongle S3 Plus as a self-contained prototyping tool with built-in display, microphone and infrared output, without assembling separate modules. Those planning to use the ATECC508A must write their own security configuration before relying on its cryptographic functions.
The takeaway
A single compact board now combines processing, wireless connectivity, display, storage, audio input and infrared output, lowering the barrier to building connected prototypes. Anyone using its security chip should plan their key configuration before deployment rather than assuming it is ready out of the box.
Further reading
Browse more coverage in Semiconductors for context on chip platforms like the ESP32-S3.
