Generic · STM32
STM32 Blue Pill (F103C8)
The legendary $4 STM32. Capable and cheap, but beset by clone chips and a missing USB bootloader — an old-timer for tinkerers who like a challenge.
No wireless3.3 V logicBreadboard
Typical price
$4
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Specifications
| Maker | Generic |
|---|---|
| Chip | STM32F103C8T6 |
| CPU | Arm Cortex-M3 |
| Clock speed | 72 MHz |
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Bluetooth | None |
| Zigbee / Thread radio | No |
| GPIO pins | 33 usable |
| ADC | 10 channels, 12-bit |
| DAC | None |
| Flash | 64 KB |
| RAM | 20 KB |
| Logic level | 3.3 V |
| Power input | 5V USB / 3.3V |
| Deep sleep (typ.) | ~2 mA |
| Active current (typ.) | ~30 mA |
| Form factor | Breadboard |
| USB | Micro-USB (needs bootloader) |
| Programming | Arduino (STM32duino), PlatformIO, STM32Cube, MicroPython (limited) |
| Released | 2014 |
Typical values. Sleep current is approximate; whole-board numbers are higher than the bare chip's datasheet figure.
Pros
- Very cheap with many timers and 12-bit ADCs
- Lots of 5 V-tolerant pins
- Huge archive of community projects
Cons
- Clones (CKS / GD32 / fake chips) are common
- No USB bootloader — you need an ST-Link or UART
- Boards often ship with an incorrect USB resistor
Best use cases
- 01Motor control and timers
- 02Cheap mass-produced controllers
- 03USB gadgets (with a bootloader)
- 04Learning STM32 from scratch
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