The Inky Frame 7.3-inch is an e-paper display powered by the Pico 2 W (Raspberry Pi’s latest MCU, RP2350), featuring a 7.3-inch E Ink screen with a resolution of 800 x 480 and supporting 7 colors. Other features include 5 LED-equipped buttons, 2 Qwiic/STEMMA QT connectors, 1 microSD card slot, and a battery connector with power-saving functionality.

The Pico 2 W-based e-paper display is ideally suited for low-power applications such as home automation dashboards, sensor data visualization panels, and image displays in low-refresh scenarios. E Ink e-paper consumes power only during screen refreshes and retains images without power loss (low power consumption). Its flexible mounting options and included metal stand make it adaptable to various settings.

Github Address:

https://github.com/pimoroni/inky-frame

https://learn.pimoroni.com/article/getting-started-with-inky-frame

Hardware Schematic:

Specifications and Features:

• Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W
• RP2350, dual Arm Cortex M33, operating at up to 150MHz with 520KB SRAM
• 4MB QSPI flash memory supporting XiP (Execute in Place)
• Powered and programmed via USB micro-B
• 2.4GHz wireless connectivity
• 7.3-inch EPD display (800 x 480 pixels)
• E Ink Gallery Palette® ePaper
• ACeP (Advanced Color ePaper) with 7 colors: black, white, red, green, blue, yellow, and orange
• Ultra-wide viewing angles
• Ultra-low power consumption
• Dot pitch – 0.2 x 0.2mm
• 5 tactile buttons with LED indicators
• Two Qw/ST connectors for connecting breakout boards
• microSD card slot *
• 8MB PSRAM memory
• Dedicated RTC chip (PCF85063A) for deep sleep/wake-up
• Fully assembled
• No soldering required
• Programmable using C/C++ or MicroPython

The multicolor EPD display relies on electrophoresis to move colored particles that reflect light, offering excellent visibility in bright conditions. These ePaper displays are highly energy-efficient, using power only during refresh cycles while retaining images when unpowered, making them ideal for battery-powered applications. Optimal performance is achieved at ambient temperatures between 15°C and 35°C, as lower temperatures can reduce color vibrancy and display brightness.