Makerfabs · ESP32-S3 · 1.28" · 240×240
Makerfabs MaTouch ESP32-S3 Rotary IPS Display 1.28" specifications
The MaTouch ESP32-S3 Rotary IPS Display 1.28-inch (model MTRO128G) is Makerfabs' compact knob-and-touch controller: a round 240×240 IPS display driven by a GC9A01 over SPI, a capacitive touch layer with a CST816D controller, and a rotary encoder around it that can also be pressed.
Makerfabs reworked the design after customer feedback: the current version has a square base that is easier to mount and three expansion ports — I2C, UART and GPIO. An ESP32-S3 with 16 MB of flash and 8 MB of PSRAM, a microSD slot, native USB-C and Flash/Reset buttons complete the board, which is rated for −40 to +85 °C.
It is the smaller sibling of the 2.1-inch Rotary display: the same idea of a dial you can turn, press and touch, in a size that fits a light switch box or a desk gadget.
- Screen
- 1.28" · 240×240
- Chip
- ESP32-S3
- Memory
- 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM
- Input
- capacitive touch
Key features
- Round 1.28-inch IPS, 240×240, GC9A01
- Capacitive touch (CST816D)
- Rotary encoder with press function
- ESP32-S3: 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM
- microSD slot, I2C, UART and GPIO ports
- Square base for easy mounting, −40 to +85 °C
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Makerfabs |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 1.28" |
| Resolution | 240×240 px |
| Colour depth | 16-bit |
| Display controller | GC9A01 (SPI) |
| Display interface | SPI |
| Touch | CST816D (capacitive, I2C) + rotary encoder + push button |
| Microcontroller | ESP32-S3 |
| Module | ESP32-S3 |
| CPU clock | 240 MHz |
| Internal SRAM | 512 KB |
| PSRAM | 8 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Model | MTRO128G |
| Display type | IPS, round, SPI |
| Touch | Capacitive, CST816D |
| Input | Rotary encoder with push |
| Expansion | 1 × GPIO, 1 × I2C, 1 × UART port |
| Storage | microSD |
| Power | 5 V via USB-C (native USB) |
| Operating temperature | −40 °C to +85 °C |
| Development platforms (manufacturer) | Arduino, MicroPython |
Free GPIOs and connectors
These GPIOs are not used by the display, touch or on-board peripherals, so you can wire your own sensors, buttons or relays to them.
| Pin | Capabilities | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GPIO 0 | GPIO, BOOT | Boot button |
| GPIO 3 | GPIO, ADC | Free |
| GPIO 4 | GPIO, ADC | Free |
| GPIO 5 | GPIO, ADC | Free |
| GPIO 8 | GPIO, PWM | Free |
| GPIO 17 | GPIO, PWM | Free |
| GPIO 18 | GPIO, PWM | Free |
| GPIO 43/TX | GPIO, UART_TX | UART0 TX |
| GPIO 44/RX | GPIO, UART_RX | UART0 RX |
Good to know before you start
- Free GPIOs: 3, 4, 5, 8, 17 and 18, plus BOOT and UART0.
- Makerfabs recommends ESP32 board package 2.0.8 or 2.0.10 for their own examples; the LCD Ultra Pro export README lists the settings it compiles with.
- Keep widgets inside the circle — the corners of the 240×240 frame are hidden.
- The touch-only version without knob is the MaTouch ESP32-S3 Round SPI TFT 1.28-inch.
What it is good for
- •Smart dials for lights and fans
- •Compact thermostats
- •Volume and parameter controllers
- •Desk gadgets with knob navigation
LVGL support in LCD Ultra Pro
| Driver status | Matched to the manufacturer’s official demo, compile-tested |
|---|---|
| Arduino export | Complete LVGL 8.4 project with the display driver |
| USB Live preview | No |
| Orientations | 0° |
| Brightness control | Hardware backlight dimming |
Pick this board in the editor and the canvas matches its exact resolution and shape. Build the interface with widgets, add events without code, try it in Live Preview, then export it as a ready-to-compile Arduino project. See the documentation for the workflow.
Frequently asked questions
What touch controller does the MaTouch Rotary 1.28-inch use?
A CST816D capacitive touch controller.
Can the knob be pressed?
Yes, the rotary encoder also has a press function.
What changed in the new version?
Makerfabs added a square base for easier installation and three expansion ports for I2C, UART and GPIO.
How much memory does it have?
16 MB of flash and 8 MB of PSRAM.
Sources
Specifications cross-checked against the manufacturer’s documentation (last checked 2026-10-04):
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