Espressif makes 3 categories of ESP32-S2: - IC: Just the bare chip. Costs 99c as you say. - Module: The chip on a PCB with castellated edges and a PCB antenna

Espressif makes 3 categories of ESP32-S2: - IC: Just the bare chip. Costs 99c as you say. - Module: The chip on a PCB with castellated edges and a PCB antenna (normal) or IPEX connector (the "-I" variants). These cost ~$2. - Devkit: The module but on a PCB with 2.56mm pitch pins installed, a USB/serial converter and 3.3V power supply. These cost ~$8. You can buy all of these at the prices I listed from the standard electronics distributors like Digikey and Mouser, you don't have to be special or anything.