After nearly a decade, Raspberry Pi has finally introduced a successor to its original 7-inch touchscreen display: the Touch Display 2. Featuring a 720×1280 resolution, the new display brings welcome improvements for both makers and general users. While it retains the same form factor and ease of use, it’s not without a few compromises.

Touch Display 2: What’s New?

Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2
The Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2

The biggest upgrade is the resolution. Jumping from 480×800 to 720×1280, the Touch Display 2 delivers a sharper image and better readability, whether used for dashboards, interactive kiosks, or DIY tablet projects. It also packs a slimmer profile, thanks to the integration of the driver board into the display itself. This simplifies installation and reduces clutter.

Connecting the display remains straightforward. A ribbon cable links to the DSI port, and power is drawn via the GPIO pins. Setup using the latest Raspberry Pi OS is seamless, with full support for five-finger touch and the new on-screen keyboard.

 

Rear view of Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 with Raspberry Pi 5 mounted.
Raspberry Pi 5 mounted to the rear of the Touch Display 2. The screws, ribbon cable, and GPIO power cable are all included.

Specifications

Resolution: 720×1280, 24-bit RGB
Diagonal Size: 7 inches
Active Area: 155×88 mm
Touch Input: Capacitive multi-touch, supporting up to 5 simultaneous points
Display Type: TFT LCD, anti-glare surface
Power: Drawn directly from the GPIO pins (5V, GND) of the host Raspberry Pi
Connector: DSI (Display Serial Interface)
Orientation: Defaults to portrait mode, adjustable in 90° increments (via Raindrop tool or cmdline.txt)
Compatibility: Works with all Raspberry Pi models from the Raspberry Pi 1 B+ onward
Not compatible with the Raspberry Pi Zero and Raspberry Pi 400/500

Parts Included:
Touch Display 2
15-way to 15-way FFC (for older models)
22-way to 15-way FFC (for Raspberry Pi 5 — the one I used here)
GPIO connector cable (just a red and a black wire for its power)
Eight M2.5 screws for mounting
Drivers: Fully supported in Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm or later
Long-Term Availability: In production until at least 2030
Dimensions: 189.32×120.24×8.55 mm (excluding the Raspberry Pi)
Weight: Approx. 280 g


Real-World Use

For makers and tinkerers, the Touch Display 2 is an excellent fit for projects such as home automation systems, 3D printer interfaces, or compact lab setups. Its integrated design allows you to mount your Raspberry Pi securely to the back, creating a clean, single-unit solution.

The included Flat Flexible Cables (FFCs) make it easy to connect, with separate options for Raspberry Pi 5 and earlier models. The GPIO power connection remains convenient, though it limits GPIO availability—a consideration for projects requiring HATs or peripherals. The on-screen keyboard, which uses Squeekboard in Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm, works well once manually launched, but it can be inconsistent in appearing automatically.

Similarly, while the display performs well for its size, it’s not ideal for prolonged desktop use—the 7-inch screen feels cramped for multitasking. Users relying on portrait mode or specific rotations will find the new Raindrop screen configuration tool helpful for adjusting orientation.
 

Pros

Improved Resolution: The jump to 720×1280 makes a significant difference in image clarity.

Slimmer Design: Integration of the driver board reduces bulk and simplifies assembly.

Multi-Touch Support: True five-point capacitive touch is responsive and reliable.

Long-Term Availability: Raspberry Pi Ltd guarantees production until at least 2030, ensuring longevity for industrial and commercial use.

Ease of Use: It “just works” with the latest Raspberry Pi OS—no driver headaches or extra configuration.

Cons

GPIO Power Limitation: Drawing power from the GPIO pins blocks access to them, which could frustrate makers needing additional peripherals or HATs.

Fragile Bezel: While sleek, the thin bezel demands careful handling to avoid damage.

Scrolling Issues: In some applications, like Chromium and Firefox, scrolling isn’t as smooth as on a smartphone.

Keyboard Quirks: The on-screen keyboard, while functional, doesn’t always appear automatically as expected.

Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 being connected.

The Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 is a solid upgrade that addresses many of the limitations of its predecessor. It offers better resolution, improved design, and a hassle-free setup. While quirks like limited GPIO access and keyboard inconsistencies may deter some makers, for most users, this is a versatile and reliable touchscreen solution.

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Available now, the Touch Display 2 gives Raspberry Pi fans a sleek and capable new way to interact with their projects.