While searching AliExpress, I found the WiFi LoRa 32 (V4) shell set, another ESP32-S3-based off-grid LoRa/Meshtastic communicator designed for long-range wireless applications. Compared to devices like Blackout Comms, Wio Tracker L1 Pro, and ThinkNode M2, this device features built-in solar charging, optional GNSS, a removable battery, and a higher transmit power.
The device features a high-power SX1262 LoRa transceiver with up to 28 ± 1 dBm transmit power, along with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5/Mesh connectivity. It adds solar charging, an 8-pin GNSS connector, upgraded battery management, gold-plated 40-pin headers, and a fully protected 0.96-inch OLED, as well as a few I/Os for expansion. The USB-C port includes ESD and short-circuit protection, while dual IPEX connectors support both LoRa and 2.4 GHz antennas.
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 (V4) specifications:
SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3
CPU – Dual-core 32-bit microcontroller @ 240MHz
Memory – 512KB SRAM, 2MB PSRAM
Storage – 384KB ROM
Wireless – 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 (LE)
Storage – 16MB flash
Display
0.96-inch OLED with 128×64 resolution
Connected via onboard soldered interface + B2B connector (Protected by a full plastic bracket)
Wireless
WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 on the ESP32-S3 module
LoRa
Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver supports 433 / 470–510 / 863–928 MHz (depending on version)
TX Power
High-power version: 28 ±1 dBm
Low-power version: 21 ±1 dBm
Sensitivity – -137 dBm @ SF12, BW 125 kHz
Antenna
LoRa IPEX 1.0 connector
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi/BLE antenna (FPC side-mounted)
Optional external 2.4 GHz antenna (IPEX 1.0 pad provided; requires circuit mod)
USB – USB 2.0 Type-C port
Expansion
2x 20-pin headers, mostly compatible with V3
7-channel ADC1 + 2-channel ADC2
UART, I2C, SPI
7× touch sensor pins
PWM
28x GPIO
8-pin GNSS connector for optional GNSS module
Misc
User and Reset buttons
White LED, Orange LED
Power Supply
5V/1A via USB-C port
2-pin 1.25mm pitch lithium battery connector (3.3–4.4V)
2-pin 1.25mm pitch solar panel connector (4.7–6V input)
Consumption – <20 μA in deep sleep
PMIC for Li-ion battery charging and solar input
Dimensions – 51.7 × 25.4 × 10.7 mm (board dimension without antenna)
Differences between LoRa 32 V3 and V4
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 (V4) Pinout
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 (V4) Hardware Overview
The device can be programmed with Arduino IDE, the ESP-IDF framework, or PlatformIO, with Heltec providing an updated ESP32 board package, LoRa/LoRaWAN libraries, and example projects for rapid deployment. You can also use the native USB for easier flashing and debugging, thanks to the removal of the CP2102 bridge. More information is available on Heltec’s GitHub. Schematic, datasheet, 3D model, and other resources are attached to the docs and resources section of the product page. The company also mentions compatibility with Meshtastic on that page, but the V4 is not listed on the official website just yet. So we checked on the Flasher website, and Meshtastic (Beta) is indeed supported on the “Heltec V4”.
Heltec officially refers to the board as WiFi LoRa 32 (V4), but the “WiFi LoRa 32 V4 Shell Set” is what I found on AliExpress, and it appears to be a third-party accessory bundle rather than an official Heltec product, which explains why it doesn’t show up on the company’s website. I also want to point out some FAQ highlights that may come in handy. For instance, if you plan to use an external IPEX 2.4 GHz antenna, the onboard inductor must be removed and replaced with a 0-ohm jumper to switch the RF path correctly. Heltec also notes that the V4 is compatible with the V3, since it uses the same ESP32-S3 family, OLED interface, and similar pinout, though the V4’s higher transmit power may require minor firmware adjustments in some applications.
The WiFi LoRa 32 (V4) Shell set is available on both Amazon and AliExpress for $46 – $50. Alternatively, Heltec also provides its own “WiFi LoRa 32 (V4) expansion housing” solution for $49.90 to 58.90. It’s based on the board covered in this article, but with a different case.
Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication
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