What Is the Difference Between M5StickC PLUS and PLUS2?

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.

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 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.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The device's battery capacity has been enhanced to 200mAh, effectively prolonging the operational lifespan of the device.
4. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CH9102_VCP_SER_Windows - Download

CH9102_VCP_SER_MacOS v1.7 - Download

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Media Storage: Enables the storage of images, audio, and other media files, which is useful for multimedia projects like IoT displays or interactive devices.
6. Bootloader and Redundancy: Supports more advanced bootloaders and redundant firmware storage, ensuring safer firmware upgrades and reducing the risk of system crashes.
7. Secure Data Storage: Larger flash allows for the storage of encryption keys, certificates, and sensitive data, improving security, especially in IoT and industrial applications.
8. Extended Application Features: Developers can build applications with more features and larger codebases that require significant memory, avoiding compromises in functionality.