What has changed on the new micro:bit? Specifications, Hardware, and Software.
BBC micro:bit and The Micro:bit Educational Foundation announced the latest version of micro:bit, comes with the new nRF52833 based chip, added touch-sensitive logo, microphone, speaker, LED indicator, and power indicator. Let’s take a look in details what are the changes from the new version of micro:bit!
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Compare the current version and the latest version of micro:bit
What’s New?
| Features | Current Version | Latest Version |
| Processor | Nordic nRF51822-QFAA-R rev 3 | Nordic nRF52833 |
| Flash ROM | 256KB | 512KB |
| RAM | 16KB | 128KB |
| Interface | NXP KL26Z, 16kB RAM | NXP KL27Z, 32kB RAM |
| Microphone | N/A | MEMS microphone and LED indicator |
| Speaker | N/A | onboard speaker |
| Logo Touch | N/A | Touch-sensitive logo pin |
| Edge connector | 25 pins, 3 dedicated GPIO, PWM, I2C, SPI and ext.power. 3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/ banana plugs | 25 pins, 4 dedicated GPIO, PWM, I2C, SPI and ext.power. 3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/ banana plugs. Notched bottom for easier connection. |
| I2C | Shared I2C BUS | Dedicated I2C BUS for peripherals |
| Wireless | 2.4 Ghz micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 4.0 | 2.4 Ghz micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Power | 5V via micro USB, 3V via edge connector or battery pack | 5V via micro USB, 3V via edge connector or battery pack, LED power indicator, Power off(push and hold power button) |
| Current available | 90 mA available for accessories | 200 mA available for accessories |
| Motion sensor | ST LSM 303 | ST LSM 303 |
| Software | C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch | C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch |
Board Changes
Speaker
Addition of a speaker at the back of the board, but you need to carefully check when accessories are mounted closer to the board than the depth of the current JST connector. By default, the micro:bit will output sound to both the edge connector pins and the on-board speaker. If your accessory makes use of a speaker, you may wish to disable the onboard speaker. This will need to be done in software.
Microphone
Addition of a rear-mounted MEMS microphone with a sound input hole on the front of the board, with a microphone activity LED. Make sure not to cover the microphone and the microphone LED when mounting on accessories.
Touch sensitive logo
Addition of capacitive touch support to the micro:bit logo which is made of gold plated copper. Capacitive touch is used for the large pins on the micro:bit v2 as opposed to the resistive touch present in the micro:bit v1.5.
Antenna
Change of position of the antenna with an angle and coating it with copper to make it more visible. If your accessory makes use of radio or Bluetooth, it’s better to test your software packages with both board revisions.
Hardware Changes
I2C Bus
Addition of dedicated external I2C lines from the nRF52 of micro:bit v2 to use with accessories as opposed to the shared I2C bus on the micro:bit v1.5
Power
micro:bit v2 can be powered from the two lozenge-shaped pads on the rear of the board and the 3V/GND pins. The nRF52 supplies 300mA to drive the board. 100mA is reserved for powering onboard components. 200mA is then available for accessories.
Software Changes
MakeCode extensions
If your MakeCode extension makes use of Mbed or the DAL, you may need to revise them to be compatible with CODAL and both revisions of the board. The latest revision no longer makes use of Mbed.
Python modules
Additional memory helps to have more space to create Python modules to work with your accessories and the micro:bit.
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