ESP32-P4NRW16X - Dual-Core RISC-V MCU, 16MB PSRAM | Espressif
MPN: ESP32-P4NRW16X ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.9 | $4.90 |
| 10 | $4.45 | $44.50 |
| 100 | $3.95 | $395.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.2 | $3,200.00 |
ESP32-P4NRW16X Overview
A microcontroller SoC integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals on a single chip, sitting at the top of the embedded hierarchy: MCU -> system-on-chip (SoC) -> embedded system. The ESP32-P4 family extends the ESP32 product line by removing on-chip Wi-Fi/Bluetooth radio and instead focusing on compute, memory, and display/vision peripherals, pairing naturally with Espressif companion connectivity chips such as the ESP32-C6.
Key features include the HP/LP dual-system architecture, where the LP single-core RISC-V processor keeps monitoring and wake-up tasks running while the HP cores sleep; 16 MB of in-package OPI/HPI PSRAM with a 1.8 V VDD_PSRAM rail; dedicated MIPI CSI and MIPI DSI interfaces for camera input and display output; and an industrial ambient temperature range of -40 to +85 C.
Technically, the ESP32-P4 is built for rich HMI, edge computing, image processing, and voice processing. The HP system contains the dual-core RISC-V microprocessor with access to large internal memory, while hardware accelerated image and voice paths offload the CPU. Espressif recommends the v3.0-or-later reference schematic and at least a 4-layer PCB for new designs, and the series is currently supplied at chip revision v3.x.
Typical applications include smart display HMI panels with MIPI DSI screens, camera/vision nodes using MIPI CSI image sensors, and voice-assistant endpoints with on-device audio processing. Paired with an ESP32-C6 for Wi-Fi 6 and 802.15.4, the P4 forms the compute engine of a modern connected HMI.
Design consideration: because the in-package PSRAM operates at 1.8 V (VDD_PSRAM_0/1), power-rail sequencing and the recommended 4-layer stackup with solid ground planes are critical for signal integrity on the OPI PSRAM and MIPI buses.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the ESP32-P4 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ESP32-P4NRW16X — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ESP32-P4NRW16X (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core (HP System), In-Package PSRAM, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ESP32-P4NRW32X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →ESP32-P4NRW16X Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core (HP System) | RISC-V 32-bit dual-core high-performance microprocessor |
| Core (LP System) | RISC-V single-core low-power microprocessor |
| In-Package PSRAM | 16 MB (OPI/HPI) |
| VDD_PSRAM_0/1 Voltage | 1.8 V |
| Ambient Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C |
| Chip Revision | v3.x |
| Package | QFN104, 10 x 10 mm |
| Product Type | High-performance MCU SoC (no on-chip Wi-Fi/Bluetooth radio) |
| Display Interface | MIPI DSI |
| Camera Interface | MIPI CSI (dedicated digital pins 42-48) |
| Target Applications | Rich HMI, edge computing, image processing, voice processing |
| Recommended PCB | At least 4-layer (Espressif recommendation) |
| Recommended Reference Schematic | v3.0 or later |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
ESP32-P4NRW16X qfn104, 10 x 10 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ESP32-P4NRW16X (qfn104, 10 x 10 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for ESP32-P4NRW16X.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ESP32-P4NRW16X is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Display HMI Panels, Camera and Vision Edge Nodes, Voice Processing Endpoints, Industrial HMI and Automation Interfaces, Smart Home Connected Hubs, Portable and Battery-Powered Multimedia Devices.
Smart Display HMI Panels
The ESP32-P4NRW16X fits rich HMI panels because its MIPI DSI display interface drives high-resolution touchscreens directly, while 16 MB of in-package OPI/HPI PSRAM holds frame buffers and UI assets without external graphics memory. The dual-core RISC-V HP processor renders responsive UIs and the LP single-core processor keeps the touch/wake subsystem alive in standby, cutting idle power. In a typical topology the P4 drives the DSI panel, reads touch over I2C, and communicates with an ESP32-C6 companion over SDIO for Wi-Fi connectivity. The main trade-off versus an ESP32-S3 is the need for a separate radio chip and a 4-layer PCB, but the payoff is display bandwidth and UI fluidity that the S3 cannot achieve.
Recommended
Camera and Vision Edge Nodes
For vision applications, the ESP32-P4NRW16X offers a MIPI CSI interface on dedicated pins 42-48, enabling direct attachment of MIPI camera sensors, and the 16 MB in-package PSRAM buffers image frames at high resolution. The dual-core HP processor runs image pipelines and lightweight inference, an edge-computing capability the ESP32-P4 was specifically designed for per the Espressif datasheet. Typical designs connect a MIPI sensor to CSI, stream frames into PSRAM, process them on the HP cores, and upload results via an ESP32-C6 companion radio. Engineers should budget PSRAM bandwidth between camera input and display output when both are active, since the OPI/HPI PSRAM interface is shared, and follow the 4-layer PCB recommendation for MIPI signal integrity.
Recommended
Voice Processing Endpoints
The ESP32-P4NRW16X is one of Espressif's designated voice-processing platforms: its HP system provides the compute for audio front-end processing, keyword spotting, and on-device speech pipelines, while 16 MB of in-package PSRAM stores acoustic models and audio buffers. The LP processor can monitor voice-wake activity so the HP cores remain in light sleep until triggered, significantly reducing standby current in always-listening products such as smart speakers and control panels. Audio codecs connect over standard I2S, and processed commands reach the cloud or local devices through a paired ESP32-C6 over SDIO/SPI. The key performance consideration is reserving PSRAM and CPU headroom if the same unit also drives a display.
Recommended
Industrial HMI and Automation Interfaces
In industrial settings, the ESP32-P4NRW16X's -40 to +85 C ambient rating and HP/LP dual-system architecture make it suitable for control-panel HMIs and machine interfaces that must survive harsh temperatures while providing modern touch graphics. The MIPI DSI interface drives industrial touch panels, and the LP processor handles watchdog and sensor-polling tasks during HP-core sleep. Designs typically pair the P4 with RS-485/CAN transceivers for fieldbus communication and an ESP32-C6 for wireless commissioning. Espressif's recommendation of a 4-layer PCB and the v3.0-or-later reference schematic aligns with industrial EMC practice; the v3.x chip revision should be verified against the ESP32-P4 Series SoC Errata before production release.
Recommended
Smart Home Connected Hubs
For smart home hubs and Matter-class controllers, the ESP32-P4NRW16X supplies the application compute and HMI output while an ESP32-C6 companion provides Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE, and IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread/Zigbee) radios. This two-chip topology, common in Espressif's ESP32-P4 reference designs, lets the P4's dual-core HP processor run the hub application, local UI, and edge logic, while 16 MB of in-package PSRAM supports device tables and TLS session data. The LP processor maintains low-power listening for wireless wake events. Compared with single-chip wireless SoCs, this split costs one more chip but delivers far more compute, memory, and display capability, which is exactly why Espressif positions the P4 for premium connected-home products.
Recommended
Portable and Battery-Powered Multimedia Devices
Battery-powered handheld devices benefit from the ESP32-P4NRW16X's LP single-core processor, which keeps clocks, touch sensing, and wake logic running at microamp-scale budgets while the HP dual-core cores sleep between bursts of screen or audio activity. When the user interacts, the HP system wakes and drives the MIPI DSI display or voice pipeline from 16 MB of in-package PSRAM. The 1.8 V VDD_PSRAM rail is compatible with efficient buck converters, extending battery life versus 3.3 V-only memory architectures. Designers should sequence the 1.8 V PSRAM rail correctly at power-up per Espressif's hardware guidelines and use the v3.0-or-later reference schematic to avoid PSRAM init issues in low-power designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ESP32-P4NRW16X — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ESP32-P4NRW32X |
|---|---|---|
| Package | QFN104, 10 x 10 mm | QFN104, 10 x 10 mm - same |
| Brand | Espressif Systems | Espressif Systems - same |
| In-Package PSRAM | 16 MB (OPI/HPI) | 32 MB (OPI/HPI) |
| HP Core Architecture | RISC-V 32-bit dual-core HP | RISC-V 32-bit dual-core HP - same |
| LP Core | RISC-V single-core LP | RISC-V single-core LP - same |
| Ambient Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C - same |
| VDD_PSRAM Voltage | 1.8 V | 1.8 V - same |
| Chip Revision | v3.x | v3.x - same |
| MIPI CSI / DSI | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes - same |
Key Differentiators
- Balanced PSRAM capacity at lowest family cost (vs ESP32-P4NRW32X)
- Full MIPI CSI/DSI I/O in an MCU-class SoC (vs ESP32-P4NRW32X)
- Dual-system HP/LP architecture for low standby power (vs ESP32-P4NRW32X)
Design Notes
Espressif explicitly recommends at least a 4-layer PCB and the v3.0-or-later reference schematic for new ESP32-P4 designs. Use dedicated inner layers for a solid ground plane and a power plane, and route the OPI PSRAM, MIPI CSI/DSI, and SDIO buses as controlled-impedance length-matched traces on outer layers with continuous ground reference. Per the ESP32-P4 Series datasheet, MIPI CSI uses dedicated pins 42-48, so reserve that pin group for the camera flex routing early in placement.
The in-package PSRAM of the ESP32-P4NRW16X operates at 1.8 V on the VDD_PSRAM_0/1 pins. Generate this rail with a low-noise buck converter or LDO rated for the PSRAM burst current, and follow Espressif's power sequencing requirements from the Hardware Design Guidelines before releasing the 1.8 V rail to the chip. Adding bulk and high-frequency decoupling (10 uF bulk plus 100 nF per power pin group) close to the QFN104 supply pins reduces rail droop during PSRAM and MIPI traffic bursts.
Multiple ESP32-P4 chip revisions circulate under the same part number; current supply is v3.x. Before production, verify your delivered chips against the chip-marking procedure in Section 6 of the ESP32-P4 Series datasheet and cross-check fixed errors in the ESP32-P4 Series SoC Errata against your firmware's ESP-IDF release. Firmware built for an older revision may behave unexpectedly on newer silicon, so pin the ESP-IDF version in your build system and re-test after any chip revision change.
Do not assume Wi-Fi is available: the ESP32-P4 has no on-chip radio. If your BOM originally used an ESP32-S3 footprint, a P4 migration requires both a board redesign and a connectivity companion such as an ESP32-C6 connected via SDIO/SPI, plus a software stack that manages two processors. Budget for the companion antenna layout and certification testing as well, since adding a radio triggers regulatory compliance even though the P4 itself is radio-free.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not stated in the provided verified data; confirm via the official Espressif product page or distributor material declarations before production release.
