Overview

The original micro:bit V1 was released in 2016 and in October 2020 a newer micro:bit V2 was released. The micro:bit V2 added new features without removing anything so as not to disrupt the existing micro:bit experience.


The easiest way to tell if a micro:bit is a V1 or V2 is the edge connector along the bottom of the micro:bit; a V1 is flat and a V2 is bumpy (or notched), as seen in the illustrations below.


Picture showing the micro:bit V1 with the bottom edge as flat Picture showing the micro:bit V1 with the bottom edge as bumpy



The new V2 features included an onboard speaker and microphone, the original micro:bit V1 required you to attach an additional device, such as a speaker to produce sounds. 


How to identify the other differences between micro:bit versions


When hardware is updated, it is often identified by a revision number, the micro:bit V1 and V2 are no different. Hardware revision numbers indicate new features added, different time periods of production, or modifications due to a hardware change or problem.


A principal element of the micro:bit experience is to ensure the latest micro:bit will work with your existing lessons and materials and all the existing MakeCode blocks and MicroPython code will work in the same way as they do on the original micro:bit. 


Previous micro:bit revisions, will also continue to work just as they did before. 


The latest revision built upon the current micro:bit experience by refining the board and adding widely requested sound-making and sensing capabilities.


There are five further ways to identify if you have the latest micro:bit board revision; this can be especially helpful if you need to raise a support ticket with us.


1) The version number (V2.x) is printed clearly in the bottom right-hand corner on the back of the board. 


Picture showing the micro:bit version printed on the back of the micro:bit


2) On the back of the board you will see the labels for MICROPHONE and SPEAKER.


Picture showing the microphone on the back of a micro:bit V2Picture showing the speaker on the back of a micro:bit V2


3) The Antenna is in the top left-hand corner on the back of the board and is now gold-coloured. 


Picture showing the gold coloured antenna on the back of a micro:bit V2


4) On the back of the micro:bit you will see that RESET also has a power off or sleep mode label. The newer micro:bit V2, extends the uses of the reset button further. You can reset your program and power down your micro:bit to conserve battery power, for example, if you are using your micro:bit for data gathering. To restart your program, press the reset button or to power down (put your micro:bit into sleep mode) press and hold the reset button until the red power LED fades; press the reset button again to awaken your micro:bit. The red power LED on the rear of the micro:bit will blink when it is in sleep mode. As with all refinements or new features, the micro:bit experience is maintained, and the reset button continues to be used as part of the method to switch the micro:bit to MAINTENANCE mode to upgrade your firmware and part of the method to enable Bluetooth mode for iOS and Android devices.


Picture showing the reset and power down label on the back of a micro:bit V2

 

5) On the front of the board the micro:bit logo is now gold-coloured. This means it can be used as a touch-sensitive input pin. The microphone can also be seen just to the bottom right of the logo, this will light up when the micro:bit is powered.

Picture showing the touch logo and microphone on the front of a micro:bit V2

  

For a more in-depth description of the differences between the micro:bit V2 and micro:bit V1 features, refinements, and hardware specification please see the following getting started features overview page and article details of micro:bit V2.