Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display

The Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 is the ultimate plug-and-play solution for creating powerful, Internet-connected LED displays with minimal effort. Forget about soldering, wiring, and complicated setups—this add-on makes it easier than ever to connect to RGB matrices. Simply plug it directly into the back of any HUB-75 compatible display (16x32 to 64x64), and you’re good to go!

Designed for convenience, the Matrix Portal S3 uses USB-C for both power and data, so all you need is a USB-C power supply (sold separately) to get started. You can easily chain multiple displays or panelize them in a grid for larger projects. For more extensive setups, you can also use a separate 5V power adapter to power the matrices. It’s that simple—no soldering, no complicated wiring.

At the heart of the Matrix Portal S3 is the ESP32-S3 processor, equipped with 8MB Flash and 2MB SRAM, supporting both Arduino and CircuitPython programming. The ESP32-S3 brings WiFi and Bluetooth LE capabilities, so you can create dynamic, networked displays. Note that CircuitPython currently supports WiFi but not BLE on the S3 chip.

The board includes multiple convenient features for easy expansion and control:

• I2C STEMMA QT connector for easy integration with compatible devices and sensors.
• JST 3-pin connector for analog input and easy connection with other hardware.
• LIS3DH accelerometer for motion detection, taps, or orientation sensing—perfect for interactive display projects.
• GPIO breakout strip with reset, boot selection, debug output, and 6 GPIO pins (including 4 analog inputs with PWM, SPI, or I2S support).
• User interface buttons for added functionality, plus a reset button.
• Indicator NeoPixel and red power LEDs, along with green power indicators for both 3V and 5V.
• 2x10 socket connector and 2x8 IDC plug connector for a secure fit into HUB75 ports and easy compatibility with matrix cables.

The ESP32-S3 chipset is optimized for matrix control with its parallel output drive peripheral, meaning no bit-banging is necessary. It has dual cores, allowing you to dedicate one core to WiFi or matrix control and the other for running your code, ensuring smooth performance.

With plenty of memory—8MB of Flash and 2MB of PSRAM—you can store large files like GIFs, run complex code, and manage your matrix display buffers with ease. Plus, the built-in native USB functionality lets the board act as a keyboard, mouse, or MIDI device.

Each Matrix Portal S3 comes pre-programmed with a basic 32x64 LED matrix demo, so you can get started immediately. However, please note that the board does not come with an RGB matrix or a USB-C power supply. You can use any HUB75-compatible matrix for your display needs.

Whether you're creating dynamic IoT displays, interactive art, or just experimenting with LED matrices, the Matrix Portal S3 makes it incredibly easy to bring your projects to life.