# XIAO SAMD21 Plus and RP2040 Plus USB-C boards get additional GPIO pins, integrated Li-ion battery management

DevFeed: [XIAO SAMD21 Plus and RP2040 Plus USB-C boards get additional GPIO pins, integrated Li-ion battery management](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/xiao-samd21-plus-and-rp2040-plus-usb-c-boards-get-additional-gpio-pins-integrated-li-ion-battery-management-14032.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.cnx-software.com/2026/09/07/xiao-samd21-plus-and-rp2040-plus-usb-c-boards-get-additional-gpio-pins-integrated-li-ion-battery-management/>)

Author: Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Published: 2026-09-07T01:07:22Z

Content type: news

Language: en

Sources: [CNX Software - Embedded Systems News](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/cnx-software-embedded-systems-news.md>)

Topics: [Embedded Systems](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/embedded-systems.md>), [Microcontroller](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/microcontroller.md>), [USB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/usb.md>), [Raspberry Pi](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/raspberry-pi.md>)

Tags: [arm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/arm.md>), [atmel-samd](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/atmel-samd.md>), [battery](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/battery.md>), [boot](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/boot.md>), [circuitpython](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/circuitpython.md>), [development-board](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development-board.md>), [embedded-systems](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/embedded-systems.md>), [gpio](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gpio.md>), [hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hardware.md>), [i2c](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/i2c.md>), [led](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/led.md>), [mcu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mcu.md>), [micropython](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/micropython.md>), [raspberry-pi](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/raspberry-pi.md>), [rust](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/rust.md>), [seeed-studio](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/seeed-studio.md>), [software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software.md>), [usb](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/usb.md>), [zephyr](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/zephyr.md>), [zephyr-os](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/zephyr-os.md>)

## AI overview

Seeed Studio has expanded its XIAO Plus Series with the XIAO SAMD21 Plus and XIAO RP2040 Plus USB-C boards. The boards retain the existing form factor while adding GPIO pins and integrated Li-ion battery management, and support several embedded development platforms.

## Source excerpt

Seeed Studio has expanded its XIAO Plus Series introduced in 2025, with the XIAO SAMD21 Plus and XIAO RP2040 Plus USB-C boards adding several GPIOs and integrated Li-ion battery management to the XIAO (SAMD21) and XIAO RP2040, launched in 2020 and 2021, respectively, while keeping the same form factor. XIAO SAMD21 Plus Specifications: MCU - Microchip SAMD21G18 Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller at up to 48MHz with 256KB Flash,32KB SRAM USB - 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming Expansion I/Os 2x 7-pin "legacy" headers with 11x analog inputs, 11x digital I/Os, 1x DAC, SPI, UART, and I2C Castellated holes and pads with 16x digital I/Os, I2C,and I2S 3.3V I/O voltage (not 5V tolerant) Misc Reset and Boot buttons RGB LED Charge LED Power Supply 5V via USB-C port Pads for battery On-board PMIC Dimensions - 23.5x17.5 mm Temperature Range - -40°C ~ 85°C The upgraded variant of the XIAO SAMD21 [...] The post XIAO SAMD21 Plus and RP2040 Plus USB-C boards get additional GPIO pins, integrated Li-ion battery management appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.