Raspberry Pi has unveiled a more compact and affordable option for its popular Touch Display line with the release of the new 5-inch Touch Display 2. This smaller variant offers the same high resolution and multi-touch capabilities as its 7-inch predecessor but comes at a reduced price point, making it an attractive choice for a wider range of projects where space and budget are key considerations.
Key Takeaways:
- Compact Size: A 5-inch diagonal display ideal for space-constrained projects.
- High Resolution: Retains the 720 x 1280 pixel resolution for clear visuals.
- Multi-Touch: Supports five-finger capacitive touch for enhanced interactivity.
- Affordable Price: Available for $40, making it more accessible.
- Easy Integration: Plug-and-play setup with Raspberry Pi OS and powered via GPIO.
A More Compact Touchscreen Experience
The new 5-inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 maintains the impressive 720 x 1280 pixel resolution found in the 7-inch model. This ensures sharp visuals and detailed interfaces, even on a smaller screen. The display features a true five-finger capacitive multi-touch panel, allowing for intuitive interaction and gesture support. It connects seamlessly to all Raspberry Pi boards (excluding the Zero line) via a MIPI DSI connector and is powered directly from the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins, simplifying setup and integration.
Key Specifications Compared
| Feature | 5-inch Touch Display 2 | 7-inch Touch Display 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 5-inch | 7-inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels | 720 x 1280 pixels |
| Multi-touch | 5-finger capacitive | 5-finger capacitive |
| Viewing Angle | 80 degrees | 85 degrees |
| Price | $40 | $60 |
| Compatibility | All Pi boards (excl. Zero) | All Pi boards (excl. Zero) |
| Power | 5V via GPIO | 5V via GPIO |
Seamless Integration and Ease of Use
One of the standout features of the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 series is its plug-and-play nature. Unlike many third-party displays that require complex driver installations or manual calibration, these displays are designed to work out of the box with Raspberry Pi OS. This means users can focus on their projects rather than troubleshooting hardware compatibility. The display comes bundled with all necessary cables and mounting hardware, further streamlining the setup process.
AI-Assisted Development Showcase
To highlight the capabilities of the new 5-inch display, Raspberry Pi engineers demonstrated the creation of a slideshow application using AI-assisted coding tools. This project showcased how the display’s multi-touch features could be leveraged for interactive applications. While the process involved some trial-and-error, it illustrated the potential of AI in accelerating software development for embedded projects, emphasizing the need for careful supervision of AI-generated code.
A Versatile Option for Makers
The introduction of the 5-inch Touch Display 2 expands the options for makers, hobbyists, and developers. Whether for embedded systems, custom control panels, educational projects, or portable builds, this more compact and budget-friendly display offers a compelling solution. Both the 5-inch and 7-inch models are slated for continued production until at least January 2030, ensuring long-term availability for projects.
