DIY enthusiasts have something new to look up to – the Pimoroni Inky Frame 7.3-inch, a large color e-paper display aimed at desktops, dashboards, and visual projects, Hackster.io reported. This new display uses E Ink’s Spectra 6 technology, bringing better color, sharper images, and lower power usage.
Key features at a glance
- Screen size & resolution: 7.3 inches, 800 × 480 pixels.
- Colors: Supports six colors (black, white, red, green, blue, yellow).
- Refresh time: Around 20–25 seconds for a full refresh.
- Controller: Comes with a Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W aboard (RP2350 chip).
- Buttons & connectors: Five tactile buttons with LED indicators, two Qw/ST connectors, microSD slot.
- Power and flexibility: Has a battery connector, power-saving modes, and can run on batteries for long periods.
- Preloaded software: Ships with MicroPython and example projects.
What’s new with Spectra 6
Pimoroni says Inky Frames produced after August 2025 will incorporate the Spectra 6 panel.
Spectra 6 brings a few improvements over prior panels:
- Shorter refresh time
- More saturated colors
- Improved contrast and clarity
Because e-paper only consumes power when refreshing, the display can hold images without draining the battery. This makes it extremely power-efficient, with the ability to last several weeks on a single charge.
Pimoroni Inky Frame 7.3-inch – Use cases & appeal
Pimoroni suggests some possible uses:
- A home dashboard or automation display
- Displaying stylish photos or art
- Visualizing sensor data or graphs
- Showing data from online APIs (weather, calendar, etc.)
Because of its slow refresh speed, it’s best suited for displays that change infrequently.
What others say & comparisons
- Hackster calls it a “sizable desktop e-paper display” using Spectra 6.
- CNX Software notes the Pico 2 W, the 7-color panel, low power draw, and useful connectors.
- Adafruit’s spec page describes seven-color capability in some versions (though Pimoroni’s product page lists six).
- Tom’s Hardware has praised earlier Inky Frame models for their image quality, ease of use with MicroPython, and the solid form factor.
What it means for makers and hobbyists
- For DIY and maker projects, the Inky Frame 7.3 offers a powerful platform: you get a large e-paper display already wired with computing hardware.
- For low-power applications, its energy efficiency is a huge plus.
- But the slow refresh rate means it’s not suitable for animations or video.
- Because it’s plug-and-play (no soldering needed in many cases), it’s accessible even for less technical users.
