diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/colorconv.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/colorconv.h
index 7b7c48c0b0..0240aa5ccc 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/colorconv.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/colorconv.h
@@ -16,6 +16,28 @@ namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
 /** Delta for when to regard as gray */
 static constexpr uint8_t COLORCONV_GRAY_THRESHOLD = 50;
 
+/** Rec.601 luma (0.299/0.587/0.114 weights, scaled by 256) for optimum perceptual brightness */
+constexpr uint8_t rec601_luma(Color color) {
+  return (uint8_t) ((77u * color.r + 150u * color.g + 29u * color.b + 128u) >> 8);
+}
+
+/** Map RGB color to a single monochrome bit
+ *
+ * @param color RGB color to convert from
+ * @return      1 = white, 0 = black
+ */
+constexpr uint8_t color_to_mono(Color color) { return rec601_luma(color) >= 128 ? 1 : 0; }
+
+/** Map RGB color to one of 4 discrete gray levels (2 bits per pixel)
+ *
+ * @param color RGB color to convert from
+ * @return      Gray level: 0 = black, 3 = white
+ */
+constexpr uint8_t color_to_gray4(Color color) {
+  const uint8_t level = (uint8_t) ((rec601_luma(color) + 32u) >> 6);  // quantize 0..255 to 0..3, rounded
+  return level > 3 ? 3 : level;
+}
+
 /** Map RGB color to discrete BWYR hex 4 color key
  *
  * @tparam NATIVE_COLOR  Type of native hardware color values
@@ -25,7 +47,6 @@ static constexpr uint8_t COLORCONV_GRAY_THRESHOLD = 50;
  * @param hw_yellow Native value for yellow
  * @param hw_red    Native value for red
  * @return          Converted native hardware color value
- * @internal Constexpr. Does not depend on side effects ("pure").
  */
 template<typename NATIVE_COLOR>
 constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyr(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIVE_COLOR hw_white, NATIVE_COLOR hw_yellow,
@@ -38,11 +59,7 @@ constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyr(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIVE_
 
   if ((max_rgb - min_rgb) < COLORCONV_GRAY_THRESHOLD) {
     // It's a shade of gray. Map to BLACK or WHITE.
-    // We split the luminance at the halfway point (382 = (255*3)/2)
-    if ((static_cast<int>(color.r) + color.g + color.b) > 382) {
-      return hw_white;
-    }
-    return hw_black;
+    return color_to_mono(color) ? hw_white : hw_black;
   }
 
   // --- Step 2: Check for Primary/Secondary Colors ---
@@ -96,7 +113,6 @@ constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwr(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIVE_C
  * @param hw_green  Native value for green
  * @param hw_blue   Native value for blue
  * @return          Converted native hardware color value
- * @internal Constexpr. Does not depend on side effects ("pure").
  */
 template<typename NATIVE_COLOR>
 constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyrgb(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIVE_COLOR hw_white,
@@ -105,10 +121,7 @@ constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyrgb(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIV
   const auto [min_rgb, max_rgb] = std::minmax({color.r, color.g, color.b});
 
   if ((max_rgb - min_rgb) < COLORCONV_GRAY_THRESHOLD) {
-    if ((static_cast<int>(color.r) + color.g + color.b) > 382) {
-      return hw_white;
-    }
-    return hw_black;
+    return color_to_mono(color) ? hw_white : hw_black;
   }
 
   const bool r_on = (color.r > 128);
@@ -158,7 +171,6 @@ constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyrgb(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIV
  * @param hw_blue   Native value for blue
  * @param hw_orange Native value for orange
  * @return          Converted native hardware color value
- * @internal Constexpr. Does not depend on side effects ("pure").
  */
 template<typename NATIVE_COLOR>
 constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyrgbo(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATIVE_COLOR hw_white,
@@ -167,10 +179,7 @@ constexpr NATIVE_COLOR color_to_bwyrgbo(Color color, NATIVE_COLOR hw_black, NATI
   const auto [min_rgb, max_rgb] = std::minmax({color.r, color.g, color.b});
 
   if ((max_rgb - min_rgb) < COLORCONV_GRAY_THRESHOLD) {
-    if ((static_cast<int>(color.r) + color.g + color.b) > 382) {
-      return hw_white;
-    }
-    return hw_black;
+    return color_to_mono(color) ? hw_white : hw_black;
   }
 
   const bool r_on = (color.r > 128);
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/display.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/display.py
index e9da924de5..3fa504539b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/display.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/display.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+from collections.abc import Callable
 import importlib
 import pkgutil
+from typing import Any
 
-from esphome import core, pins
+from esphome import automation, core, pins
 import esphome.codegen as cg
 from esphome.components import display, spi
 from esphome.components.display import CONF_SHOW_TEST_CARD, validate_rotation
@@ -54,6 +56,12 @@ EPaperBase = epaper_spi_ns.class_(
 )
 Transform = epaper_spi_ns.enum("Transform")
 
+automation.register_apply_action(
+    "epaper_spi.full_update_next",
+    automation.maybe_simple_id({cv.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_id(EPaperBase)}),
+    automation.ApplyCall("request_full_update()"),
+)
+
 # Import all models dynamically from the models package
 for module_info in pkgutil.iter_modules(models.__path__):
     importlib.import_module(f".models.{module_info.name}", package=__package__)
@@ -70,6 +78,23 @@ DIMENSION_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
 TRANSFORM_OPTIONS = {CONF_MIRROR_X, CONF_MIRROR_Y, CONF_SWAP_XY}
 
 
+def _full_update_every_validator(
+    model: models.EpaperModel,
+) -> Callable[[Any], int]:
+    if model.get_default("partial_update"):
+        return cv.int_range(1, 255)
+
+    def validate(value: Any) -> int:
+        value = cv.int_range(1, 255)(value)
+        if value != 1:
+            raise cv.Invalid(
+                f"{model.name} does not support partial update; full_update_every must be 1"
+            )
+        return value
+
+    return validate
+
+
 def model_schema(config):
     model = MODELS[config[CONF_MODEL]]
     class_name = epaper_spi_ns.class_(model.class_name, EPaperBase)
@@ -96,7 +121,9 @@ def model_schema(config):
                     cv.Required(CONF_MIRROR_Y): cv.boolean,
                 }
             ),
-            cv.Optional(CONF_FULL_UPDATE_EVERY, default=1): cv.int_range(1, 255),
+            cv.Optional(
+                CONF_FULL_UPDATE_EVERY, default=1
+            ): _full_update_every_validator(model),
             model.option(CONF_BUSY_PIN): pins.gpio_input_pin_schema,
             model.option(CONF_CS_PIN): pins.gpio_output_pin_schema,
             model.option(CONF_DC_PIN, fallback=None): pins.gpio_output_pin_schema,
@@ -132,8 +159,15 @@ def customise_schema(config):
         extra=cv.ALLOW_EXTRA,
     )(config)
     model = MODELS[config[CONF_MODEL]]
+    model.check_requirements()
     config = model_schema(config)(config)
+    config = model.validate_config(config)
     width, height = model.get_dimensions(config)
+    if width % (width_multiple := model.get_default("width_multiple", 1)):
+        raise cv.Invalid(
+            f"{model.name} requires a width that is a multiple of {width_multiple}",
+            path=[CONF_DIMENSIONS],
+        )
     display.add_metadata(
         config[CONF_ID],
         width,
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp
index 3b3418d911..1fab038c28 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp
@@ -196,6 +196,15 @@ void EPaperBase::process_state_() {
       break;
     case EPaperState::UPDATE:
       this->do_update_();  // Calls ESPHome (current page) lambda
+      if (this->full_update_requested_) {
+        // Refresh the whole panel even if nothing was drawn
+        this->full_update_requested_ = false;
+        this->update_count_ = 0;
+        this->x_low_ = 0;
+        this->y_low_ = 0;
+        this->x_high_ = this->width_;
+        this->y_high_ = this->height_;
+      }
       if (this->x_high_ < this->x_low_ || this->y_high_ < this->y_low_) {
         this->set_state_(EPaperState::IDLE);
         return;
@@ -327,9 +336,9 @@ void HOT EPaperBase::draw_pixel_at(int x, int y, Color color) {
     return;
   const size_t byte_position = y * this->row_width_ + x / 8;
   const uint8_t bit_position = x % 8;
-  const uint8_t pixel_bit = 0x80 >> bit_position;
+  const uint8_t pixel_bit = 0x80u >> bit_position;
   const auto original = this->buffer_[byte_position];
-  if ((color_to_bit(color) == 0)) {
+  if (color_to_mono(color) == 0) {
     this->buffer_[byte_position] = original & ~pixel_bit;
   } else {
     this->buffer_[byte_position] = original | pixel_bit;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h
index 8e2fd78e62..0040c867b2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include "colorconv.h"
 #include "esphome/components/display/display.h"
 #include "esphome/components/spi/spi.h"
 #include "esphome/components/split_buffer/split_buffer.h"
@@ -80,15 +81,7 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
 
   DisplayType get_display_type() override { return this->display_type_; };
 
-  // Default implementations for monochrome displays
-  static uint8_t color_to_bit(Color color) {
-    // It's always a shade of gray. Map to BLACK or WHITE.
-    // We split the luminance at a suitable point
-    if ((color.r + color.g + color.b) >= 382) {
-      return 1;
-    }
-    return 0;
-  }
+  // Default implementation for monochrome displays
   void fill(Color color) override {
     // If clipping is active, fall back to base implementation
     if (this->get_clipping().is_set()) {
@@ -96,7 +89,7 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
       return;
     }
 
-    auto pixel_color = color_to_bit(color) ? 0xFF : 0x00;
+    auto pixel_color = color_to_mono(color) ? 0xFF : 0x00;
 
     // We store 8 pixels per byte
     this->buffer_.fill(pixel_color);
@@ -114,6 +107,8 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
   int get_width() override { return this->effective_transform_ & SWAP_XY ? this->height_ : this->width_; }
   int get_height() override { return this->effective_transform_ & SWAP_XY ? this->width_ : this->height_; }
   void draw_pixel_at(int x, int y, Color color) override;
+  // Make the next update a full one. Applied when that update starts, so one in progress is not affected.
+  void request_full_update() { this->full_update_requested_ = true; }
 
  protected:
   int get_height_internal() override { return this->height_; };
@@ -185,6 +180,7 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
   uint8_t transform_{};
   uint8_t effective_transform_{};
   uint8_t update_count_{};
+  bool full_update_requested_{};
   // these values represent the bounds of the updated buffer. Note that x_high and y_high
   // point to the pixel past the last one updated, i.e. may range up to width/height.
   uint16_t x_low_{}, y_low_{}, x_high_{}, y_high_{};
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h
index f44b59e803..d0740595fc 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
 class EPaperMono : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperMono(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
-             size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY) {
+             size_t init_sequence_length, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY)
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, display_type) {
     this->buffer_length_ = (width + 7) / 8 * height;  // 8 pixels per byte, rounded up
   }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e845a5d585
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+#include "epaper_spi_ssd1677.h"
+
+#include <algorithm>
+
+#include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
+#include "esphome/core/log.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
+static constexpr const char *const TAG = "epaper_spi.ssd1677";
+
+void EPaperSSD1677::setup() {
+  EPaperMono::setup();
+  if (!this->is_failed())
+    this->init_comparison_frame_();
+}
+
+void EPaperSSD1677::init_comparison_frame_() {
+  if (!this->is_using_partial_update_())
+    return;
+  if (!this->sent_.init(this->plane_row_length_() * this->height_)) {
+    ESP_LOGW(TAG, "No memory for the comparison frame; partial updates will degrade unchanged areas");
+  }
+}
+
+void EPaperSSD1677::plane_row(size_t y, uint8_t *out) {
+  const size_t row_length = this->plane_row_length_();
+  const size_t data_idx = y * row_length;
+  for (size_t i = 0; i != row_length; i++)
+    out[i] = this->buffer_[data_idx + i];
+}
+
+// Nothing a partial update needs is kept in controller RAM any more, so skip the reset for those.
+bool EPaperSSD1677::reset() {
+  if (this->update_count_ != 0 && this->sent_.is_valid())
+    return true;
+  return EPaperMono::reset();
+}
+
+// The window always covers the whole panel, so each plane is the frame's bytes in order. Where
+// those bytes are already stored as the plane needs them (the comparison frame, and a 1-bit
+// buffer) they are written straight from the buffer, as many at a time as the time slice allows;
+// otherwise they are built a row at a time by plane_row().
+bool HOT EPaperSSD1677::transfer_data() {
+  if (!this->sent_.is_valid())
+    return EPaperMono::transfer_data();
+
+  const auto start_time = millis();
+  if (this->current_data_index_ == 0) {
+    if (this->plane_ == 0) {
+      this->x_low_ = 0;
+      this->x_high_ = this->width_;
+      this->y_low_ = 0;
+      this->y_high_ = this->height_;
+    }
+    this->set_window();
+    this->command(this->plane_ == 0 ? 0x26 : 0x24);
+  }
+  // A full update ignores 0x26, and the copy may not hold a real frame yet (first update after
+  // boot): send the new frame to both planes.
+  const bool send_copy = this->plane_ == 0 && this->update_count_ != 0;
+  const bool direct = send_copy || this->buffer_is_plane();
+  const auto &source = send_copy ? this->sent_ : this->buffer_;
+  const size_t row_length = this->plane_row_length_();
+  const size_t plane_length = row_length * this->height_;
+  // Roughly what the bus moves in one time slice, so a slice is not overrun by much
+  const size_t max_chunk = std::max<size_t>(this->data_rate_ / 8000 * MAX_TRANSFER_TIME, MAX_TRANSFER_SIZE);
+  SmallBufferWithHeapFallback<128> row_alloc(direct ? 0 : row_length);
+  this->start_data_();
+  while (this->current_data_index_ != plane_length) {
+    size_t length;
+    const uint8_t *data;
+    if (direct) {
+      data = source.get_span(this->current_data_index_, length);
+      length = std::min(length, max_chunk);
+    } else {
+      // Always at the start of a row here, since this path sends whole rows only
+      this->plane_row(this->current_data_index_ / row_length, row_alloc.get());
+      data = row_alloc.get();
+      length = row_length;
+    }
+    this->write_array(data, length);
+    if (this->plane_ == 1)
+      this->sent_.write(this->current_data_index_, data, length);
+    this->current_data_index_ += length;
+    if (this->current_data_index_ != plane_length && millis() - start_time > MAX_TRANSFER_TIME) {
+      // Let the main loop run and come back next loop
+      this->disable();
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+  this->disable();
+  this->current_data_index_ = 0;
+  if (this->plane_ == 0) {
+    this->plane_ = 1;
+    return false;
+  }
+  this->plane_ = 0;
+  return true;
+}
+
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ddf3d4e089
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "epaper_spi_mono.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
+
+/**
+ * Monochrome SSD1677 with partial refreshes that leave unchanged pixels alone.
+ *
+ * A partial refresh drives each pixel from the pair (RAM 0x26 = the image on the panel,
+ * RAM 0x24 = the new image) across the whole panel; the RAM window only scopes a write.
+ * EPaperMono writes 0x26 once and afterwards only the changed window of 0x24, which relies on
+ * the controller's RAM being unchanged from one update to the next. On this controller it is not:
+ * the hardware reset at the start of each update loses it, and even without resets, keeping 0x26
+ * in step one window at a time left unchanged areas alternating between older frames. Either way
+ * unchanged pixels get driven on every partial and wash out.
+ *
+ * So before every refresh this class writes both planes over the whole panel: 0x26 from a copy of
+ * the frame last sent, 0x24 from the buffer. GxEPD2 likewise rewrites both planes after each
+ * partial on this controller. The copy is taken as the data goes out, not from the buffer, which
+ * may already hold the next frame by the time the refresh completes.
+ */
+class EPaperSSD1677 : public EPaperMono {
+ public:
+  EPaperSSD1677(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
+                size_t init_sequence_length, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY)
+      : EPaperMono(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, display_type) {}
+
+  void setup() override;
+
+ protected:
+  // Allocates the comparison frame when partial updates are enabled. Separate from setup() so it
+  // can run without a bus.
+  void init_comparison_frame_();
+  // Bytes in one row of a RAM plane: 8 pixels per byte, whatever the buffer holds.
+  size_t plane_row_length_() const { return (this->width_ + 7) / 8; }
+  // Whether the buffer already holds the frame as a RAM plane does, so it can be sent as it is.
+  // A subclass with a deeper buffer returns false and overrides plane_row().
+  virtual bool buffer_is_plane() const { return true; }
+  // Row y of the frame as a RAM plane holds it, 1 bit per pixel with 1 = white.
+  virtual void plane_row(size_t y, uint8_t *out);
+  bool reset() override;
+  bool transfer_data() override;
+
+  split_buffer::SplitBuffer sent_{};  // the frame last sent to 0x24, i.e. what the panel shows
+  uint8_t plane_{0};                  // 0 while sending 0x26, 1 while sending 0x24
+};
+
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.cpp b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..18fbb016f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+#include "epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h"
+
+#include "esphome/core/log.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
+
+static constexpr const char *const TAG = "epaper_spi.ssd1677_gray4";
+
+// Combine two source bytes (4 pixels each, 2 bits per pixel, most significant pixel first) into
+// one plane byte covering the same 8 pixels (1 bit per pixel), choosing high or low bit
+static uint8_t plane_byte(uint8_t first, uint8_t second, bool high_bit) {
+  uint8_t out = 0;
+  for (const uint8_t src : {first, second}) {
+    for (uint8_t shift = 6;; shift -= 2) {
+      const uint8_t level = (src >> shift) & 0x03;
+      out = (uint8_t) ((out << 1) | (high_bit ? (level >> 1) : (level & 1)));
+      if (shift == 0)
+        break;
+    }
+  }
+  return out;
+}
+
+void EPaperSSD1677Gray4::fill(Color color) {
+  if (this->get_clipping().is_set()) {
+    // Falls back to the generic per-pixel implementation for the clipped rectangle.
+    EPaperBase::fill(color);
+    return;
+  }
+  const uint8_t level = color_to_gray4(color);
+  this->buffer_.fill((uint8_t) (level | (level << 2) | (level << 4) | (level << 6)));
+  this->x_low_ = 0;
+  this->y_low_ = 0;
+  this->x_high_ = this->width_;
+  this->y_high_ = this->height_;
+}
+
+void HOT EPaperSSD1677Gray4::draw_pixel_at(int x, int y, Color color) {
+  if (!this->rotate_coordinates_(x, y))
+    return;
+  const uint8_t level = color_to_gray4(color);
+  const size_t byte_position = (size_t) y * this->row_width_ + x / 4;
+  const uint8_t shift = (uint8_t) (6 - 2 * (x % 4));  // most significant pixel first
+  const uint8_t original = this->buffer_[byte_position];
+  this->buffer_[byte_position] = (uint8_t) ((original & ~(0x03 << shift)) | (level << shift));
+}
+
+// A partial update reduces each pixel to its high bit: levels 2 and 3 are light, 0 and 1 dark.
+void EPaperSSD1677Gray4::plane_row(size_t y, uint8_t *out) {
+  const size_t src_row = y * this->row_width_;
+  for (size_t i = 0; i != this->plane_row_length_(); i++)
+    out[i] = plane_byte(this->buffer_[src_row + 2 * i], this->buffer_[src_row + 2 * i + 1], true);
+}
+
+// the high bit of every pixel's level goes to the new (bw) plane
+// (0x24), the low bit to the old (red) plane (0x26)
+bool HOT EPaperSSD1677Gray4::transfer_data() {
+  if (this->is_partial_push_())
+    return EPaperSSD1677::transfer_data();
+
+  auto start_time = millis();
+  const bool first_pass = this->send_red_;
+  if (this->current_data_index_ == 0) {
+    if (first_pass) {
+      // With partial updates enabled the window follows the changed area, but the four-level
+      // refresh drives every pixel from both planes, and the reset before it does not keep RAM.
+      this->x_low_ = 0;
+      this->x_high_ = this->width_;
+      this->y_low_ = 0;
+      this->y_high_ = this->height_;
+      this->set_window();
+    }
+    this->command(first_pass ? 0x24 : 0x26);
+    this->current_data_index_ = this->y_low_;
+  }
+  const size_t plane_row_length = (this->x_high_ - this->x_low_) / 8;
+  // Stack-backed for every panel width in practice; only a custom `dimensions:` far wider than any
+  // supported panel would fall back to the heap.
+  SmallBufferWithHeapFallback<128> bytes_to_send_alloc(plane_row_length);
+  uint8_t *bytes_to_send = bytes_to_send_alloc.get();
+  ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Writing %u bytes at line %zu at %ums", plane_row_length, this->current_data_index_,
+           (unsigned) millis());
+  this->start_data_();
+  while (this->current_data_index_ != this->y_high_) {
+    const size_t src_row = this->current_data_index_ * this->row_width_ + this->x_low_ / 4;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i != plane_row_length; i++) {
+      const uint8_t plane = plane_byte(this->buffer_[src_row + 2 * i], this->buffer_[src_row + 2 * i + 1], first_pass);
+      // The OTP grayscale waveform treats data as inverted relative to monochrome
+      bytes_to_send[i] = (uint8_t) ~plane;
+      // What the next partial update compares against: the high bits, as a black-and-white frame.
+      if (first_pass && this->sent_.is_valid())
+        this->sent_[this->current_data_index_ * plane_row_length + i] = plane;
+    }
+    ++this->current_data_index_;
+    this->write_array(bytes_to_send, plane_row_length);
+    if (millis() - start_time > MAX_TRANSFER_TIME) {
+      // Let the main loop run and come back next loop
+      this->disable();
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  this->disable();
+  this->current_data_index_ = 0;
+  if (first_pass) {
+    this->send_red_ = false;
+    return false;
+  }
+  this->send_red_ = true;
+  return true;
+}
+
+void EPaperSSD1677Gray4::refresh_screen(bool partial) {
+  if (this->is_partial_push_()) {
+    ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Black-and-white partial refresh");
+    // The border follows the LUT selected in 0x3C. The model's setting (sent with the init
+    // sequence) picks the LUT that is white under the four-level waveform's inverted data; under
+    // the black-and-white waveform that LUT drives black and the border darkens, so use LUT1.
+    this->cmd_data(0x3C, {0x01});
+    EPaperSSD1677::refresh_screen(true);
+    return;
+  }
+  ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Four-level refresh");
+  this->cmd_data(0x1A, {0x67, 0x00});  // force temperature by OTP
+  this->cmd_data(0x22, {0xD7});        // four-level update sequence, panel's OTP waveform
+  this->command(0x20);                 // master activation
+}
+
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..47436d2db1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "colorconv.h"
+#include "epaper_spi_ssd1677.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
+
+/**
+ * Four-level grayscale for SSD1677 panels.
+ *
+ * The SSD1677 has two independent 1-bit RAM planes, normally used for a
+ * black/white and a red plane. This class writes image data to both,
+ * splitting each pixel's 2-bit gray level across them, and triggers the
+ * panel's own OTP grayscale waveform instead of the normal monochrome update
+ * sequence. No custom LUT upload needed for any currently supported panel,
+ * the OTP waveform is used instead.
+ *
+ * The framebuffer therefore packs 2 bits per pixel (4 per byte, most
+ * significant pixel first) instead of EPaperMono's 1 bit.
+ *
+ * The grayscale waveform has no partial form: master activation redraws the whole panel
+ * regardless of the RAM window. So a full update is a four-level refresh, and when partial updates
+ * are enabled (full_update_every > 1, which the model only allows on explicit request) a partial
+ * update is EPaperSSD1677's black-and-white one, each pixel reduced to light or dark. The partial
+ * waveform also drives unchanged pixels towards black or white, so from the first partial update
+ * the whole panel loses its gray levels until the next full update.
+ */
+class EPaperSSD1677Gray4 : public EPaperSSD1677 {
+ public:
+  EPaperSSD1677Gray4(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
+                     size_t init_sequence_length)
+      : EPaperSSD1677(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_GRAYSCALE) {
+    this->row_width_ = (width + 3) / 4;  // 4 pixels per byte
+    this->buffer_length_ = (size_t) this->row_width_ * height;
+  }
+
+  void fill(Color color) override;
+  void draw_pixel_at(int x, int y, Color color) override;
+
+ protected:
+  // A partial update if partial updates are enabled and this is not a full one.
+  bool is_partial_push_() const { return this->update_count_ != 0 && this->sent_.is_valid(); }
+  bool buffer_is_plane() const override { return false; }
+  void plane_row(size_t y, uint8_t *out) override;
+  void refresh_screen(bool partial) override;
+  bool transfer_data() override;
+};
+
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/__init__.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/__init__.py
index 34e65061f3..fbedd6371d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/__init__.py
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ from typing import Any, Self
 
 import esphome.config_validation as cv
 from esphome.const import CONF_DIMENSIONS, CONF_HEIGHT, CONF_WIDTH
+from esphome.core import CORE
 from esphome.cpp_generator import MockObj
+from esphome.types import ConfigType
 
 
 class EpaperModel:
@@ -48,6 +50,16 @@ class EpaperModel:
         """
         return {}
 
+    def validate_config(self, config: ConfigType) -> ConfigType:
+        """
+        Validate the configuration as a whole, once the schema has been applied.
+        The base implementation accepts it unchanged; specific models override this for
+        rules that span several options.
+        :param config: The validated configuration
+        :return: The configuration, possibly updated
+        """
+        return config
+
     async def to_code(self, var: MockObj, config: dict) -> dict:
         """
         Generate model-specific code for the options added by add_options().
@@ -89,3 +101,26 @@ class EpaperModel:
         defaults = self.defaults.copy()
         defaults.update(kwargs)
         return self.__class__(name, initsequence=tuple(initsequence), **defaults)
+
+    def check_requirements(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Raise a friendly error if any component this model requires is not configured.
+
+        This runs during schema validation (before ID references are resolved) so that a
+        model whose default pins live on a pin expander reports the missing expander clearly
+        instead of a cryptic "Couldn't find ID" from the unresolved pin reference.
+        """
+        if requirements := self.get_default("requires", set()):
+            # ``raw_config`` is populated before any component schema runs during a real
+            # validation, so presence of a required component is simply a top-level key.
+            # When it is absent (e.g. a unit test that invokes the schema directly) there
+            # is no config to check against, so skip.
+            global_config = CORE.raw_config
+            if global_config is None:
+                return
+            missing = {x for x in requirements if x not in global_config}
+            if missing:
+                reqstr = ", ".join(f"'{x}'" for x in sorted(missing))
+                raise cv.Invalid(
+                    f"{self.name} requires component{'s' if len(missing) > 1 else ''} {reqstr} to be configured"
+                )
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/jd79660.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/jd79660.py
index a0457c5812..ca824dccd4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/jd79660.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/jd79660.py
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ from . import EpaperModel
 
 class JD79660(EpaperModel):
     def __init__(self, name, class_name="EPaperJD79660", fast_update=None, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(name, class_name, **kwargs)
+        # Only a fast_update sequence lets the driver do anything but a full refresh
+        kwargs.setdefault("partial_update", fast_update is not None)
+        super().__init__(name, class_name=class_name, **kwargs)
         self.fast_update = fast_update
 
     def option(self, name, fallback=cv.UNDEFINED) -> cv.Optional | cv.Required:
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1677.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1677.py
index 13f1035045..2249529611 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1677.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1677.py
@@ -1,12 +1,56 @@
-from esphome.const import CONF_DATA_RATE
+from typing import Any
+
+import esphome.config_validation as cv
+from esphome.const import CONF_DATA_RATE, CONF_FULL_UPDATE_EVERY
+from esphome.types import ConfigType
 
 from . import EpaperModel
 
+CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM = "border_waveform"
+CONF_MONOCHROME_PARTIAL_UPDATES = "monochrome_partial_updates"
+
+# partial_update value for models whose partial updates are black and white only
+MONOCHROME = "monochrome"
+
 
 class SSD1677(EpaperModel):
-    def __init__(self, name, class_name="EPaperMono", data_rate="20MHz", **defaults):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        class_name: str = "EPaperSSD1677",
+        data_rate: str = "20MHz",
+        border_waveform: int = 0x01,
+        **defaults: Any,
+    ) -> None:
         defaults[CONF_DATA_RATE] = data_rate
-        super().__init__(name, class_name, **defaults)
+        defaults[CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM] = border_waveform
+        defaults.setdefault("partial_update", True)
+        super().__init__(name, class_name=class_name, **defaults)
+
+    def get_config_options(self) -> dict:
+        options = {
+            self.option(CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM): cv.hex_uint8_t,
+        }
+        if self.get_default("partial_update") == MONOCHROME:
+            options[cv.Optional(CONF_MONOCHROME_PARTIAL_UPDATES, default=False)] = (
+                cv.boolean
+            )
+        return options
+
+    def validate_config(self, config: ConfigType) -> ConfigType:
+        if (
+            self.get_default("partial_update") == MONOCHROME
+            and config[CONF_FULL_UPDATE_EVERY] > 1
+            and not config[CONF_MONOCHROME_PARTIAL_UPDATES]
+        ):
+            raise cv.Invalid(
+                f"{self.name} can only update partially in black and white, and a partial "
+                "update reduces the whole panel to black and white until the next full "
+                f"update. Set '{CONF_MONOCHROME_PARTIAL_UPDATES}: true' to accept this, "
+                "or leave full_update_every at 1",
+                path=[CONF_FULL_UPDATE_EVERY],
+            )
+        return config
 
     # fmt: off
     def get_init_sequence(self, config: dict):
@@ -15,13 +59,14 @@ class SSD1677(EpaperModel):
             (0x18, 0x80),    # Select internal Temp sensor
             (0x0C, 0xAE, 0xC7, 0xC3, 0xC0, 0x80),  # inrush current level 2
             (0x01, (height - 1) % 256, (height - 1) // 256, 0x02),    # Set gate limit (number of rows-1)
-            (0x3C, 0x01),    # Set border waveform
+            (0x3C, config[CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM]),    # Set border waveform
             (0x11, 3),      # Set transform
         )
 
 
 ssd1677 = SSD1677("ssd1677")
 
+
 wave_4_26 = ssd1677.extend(
     "waveshare-4.26in",
     width=800,
@@ -52,7 +97,8 @@ ssd1677.extend(
     mirror_x=True,
 )
 
-ssd1677.extend(
+# Sticky - monochrome version
+seeed_sticky = ssd1677.extend(
     "seeed-reterminal-sticky",
     width=800,
     height=480,
@@ -63,4 +109,15 @@ ssd1677.extend(
     reset_pin=17,
     busy_pin=18,
     data_rate="10MHz",
+    requires={"psram"},
+)
+
+# Sticky - 4 level grayscale; partial updates only in black and white, on request
+seeed_sticky.extend(
+    "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4",
+    class_name="EPaperSSD1677Gray4",
+    border_waveform=0x00,
+    partial_update=MONOCHROME,
+    # each plane byte is built from two whole buffer bytes
+    width_multiple=8,
 )
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1683.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1683.py
index 983f5bb382..b43168a336 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1683.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/ssd1683.py
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ from . import EpaperModel
 class SSD1683(EpaperModel):
     def __init__(self, name, class_name="EPaperSSD1683", data_rate="20MHz", **defaults):
         defaults[CONF_DATA_RATE] = data_rate
-        super().__init__(name, class_name, **defaults)
+        defaults.setdefault("partial_update", True)
+        super().__init__(name, class_name=class_name, **defaults)
 
     # fmt: off
     def get_init_sequence(self, config: dict):
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py
index bea133c328..91c649808a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ class UC8179(EpaperModel):
         **defaults: Any,
     ) -> None:
         defaults.setdefault(CONF_DATA_RATE, data_rate)
-        super().__init__(name, class_name, **defaults)
+        defaults.setdefault("partial_update", True)
+        super().__init__(name, class_name=class_name, **defaults)
 
     def get_init_sequence(self, config: dict) -> tuple:
         """Generate the initialization sequence for UC8179 mono displays.
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/waveshare.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/waveshare.py
index 74a288977d..aecda72364 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/waveshare.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/waveshare.py
@@ -6,8 +6,12 @@ from . import EpaperModel
 
 
 class WaveshareModel(EpaperModel):
-    def __init__(self, name, lut, lut_partial=None, **defaults):
-        super().__init__(name, "EpaperWaveshare", **defaults)
+    def __init__(
+        self, name, lut, lut_partial=None, class_name="EpaperWaveshare", **defaults
+    ):
+        # A partial LUT is what lets EpaperWaveshare do partial refresh
+        defaults.setdefault("partial_update", lut_partial is not None)
+        super().__init__(name, class_name=class_name, **defaults)
         self.lut = lut
         self.lut_partial = lut_partial
 
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/full_update_next_test.yaml b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/full_update_next_test.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..de5e678a70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/full_update_next_test.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+esphome:
+  name: test
+
+esp32:
+  board: esp32dev
+
+spi:
+  clk_pin: GPIO18
+  mosi_pin: GPIO19
+
+display:
+  - platform: epaper_spi
+    id: epaper_display
+    model: ssd1677
+    dc_pin: GPIO21
+    busy_pin: GPIO22
+    reset_pin: GPIO23
+    cs_pin: GPIO5
+    full_update_every: 5
+    dimensions:
+      width: 200
+      height: 200
+
+binary_sensor:
+  - platform: gpio
+    pin: GPIO27
+    name: Trigger
+    on_press:
+      - epaper_spi.full_update_next: epaper_display
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/ssd1677_border_waveform_test.yaml b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/ssd1677_border_waveform_test.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3d15ab8f90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/ssd1677_border_waveform_test.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+esphome:
+  name: test
+
+esp32:
+  board: esp32dev
+
+spi:
+  clk_pin: GPIO18
+  mosi_pin: GPIO19
+
+display:
+  - platform: epaper_spi
+    id: epaper_display
+    model: ssd1677
+    dc_pin: GPIO21
+    busy_pin: GPIO22
+    reset_pin: GPIO23
+    cs_pin: GPIO5
+    dimensions:
+      width: 200
+      height: 200
+    border_waveform: 0x1A
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/ssd1677_gray4_test.yaml b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/ssd1677_gray4_test.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d107807298
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/config/ssd1677_gray4_test.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+esphome:
+  name: test
+
+esp32:
+  board: esp32-s3-devkitc-1
+  variant: esp32s3
+
+psram:
+  mode: octal
+  speed: 80MHz
+
+spi:
+  clk_pin: GPIO7
+  mosi_pin: GPIO9
+
+display:
+  - platform: epaper_spi
+    id: epaper_display
+    model: seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py
index 5e2e7d6013..9d6ebe831a 100644
--- a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py
+++ b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py
@@ -312,6 +312,66 @@ def test_model_with_full_update_every(
     )
 
 
+def test_update_interval_below_model_minimum_rejected(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """update_interval faster than the model's minimum_update_interval is rejected."""
+    set_core_config(
+        PlatformFramework.ESP32_IDF,
+        platform_data={KEY_BOARD: "esp32dev", KEY_VARIANT: VARIANT_ESP32},
+    )
+
+    set_component_config("spi", {"id": "spi_bus", "clk_pin": 18, "mosi_pin": 19})
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="at least"):
+        run_schema_validation(
+            {
+                "id": "test_display",
+                "model": "ssd1677",
+                "dc_pin": 21,
+                "busy_pin": 22,
+                "reset_pin": 23,
+                "cs_pin": 5,
+                "dimensions": {
+                    "width": 200,
+                    "height": 200,
+                },
+                "update_interval": "500ms",
+            }
+        )
+
+
+def test_reset_duration_over_max_rejected(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """reset_duration over the 500ms cap is rejected."""
+    set_core_config(
+        PlatformFramework.ESP32_IDF,
+        platform_data={KEY_BOARD: "esp32dev", KEY_VARIANT: VARIANT_ESP32},
+    )
+
+    set_component_config("spi", {"id": "spi_bus", "clk_pin": 18, "mosi_pin": 19})
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="at most"):
+        run_schema_validation(
+            {
+                "id": "test_display",
+                "model": "ssd1677",
+                "dc_pin": 21,
+                "busy_pin": 22,
+                "reset_pin": 23,
+                "cs_pin": 5,
+                "dimensions": {
+                    "width": 200,
+                    "height": 200,
+                },
+                "reset_duration": "600ms",
+            }
+        )
+
+
 def test_busy_pin_input_mode_ssd1677(
     set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
     set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
@@ -481,6 +541,16 @@ def test_enable_pin_code_generation(
     assert f"set_enable_pins({{{pin_25}, {pin_26}}});" in main_cpp
 
 
+def test_full_update_next_action_code_generation(
+    generate_main: Callable[[str | Path], str],
+    component_config_path: Callable[[str], Path],
+) -> None:
+    """The epaper_spi.full_update_next action targets the configured display."""
+    main_cpp = generate_main(component_config_path("full_update_next_test.yaml"))
+
+    assert "epaper_display->request_full_update();" in main_cpp
+
+
 def test_model_with_no_default_init_sequence_generates(
     generate_main: Callable[[str | Path], str],
     component_config_path: Callable[[str], Path],
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_model_requirements.py b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_model_requirements.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..26c50a133a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_model_requirements.py
@@ -0,0 +1,376 @@
+"""Tests for the SSD1677 border_waveform option and EpaperModel.check_requirements()."""
+
+from collections.abc import Callable, Generator
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+from typing import Any
+
+import pytest
+
+from esphome import config_validation as cv
+from esphome.components.epaper_spi.display import CONFIG_SCHEMA, MODELS
+from esphome.components.epaper_spi.models import EpaperModel
+from esphome.components.epaper_spi.models.ssd1677 import CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM
+from esphome.components.esp32 import (
+    KEY_BOARD,
+    KEY_VARIANT,
+    VARIANT_ESP32,
+    VARIANT_ESP32S3,
+)
+from esphome.const import PlatformFramework
+from esphome.core import CORE
+from esphome.types import ConfigType
+from tests.component_tests.types import SetCoreConfigCallable
+
+
+def _ssd1677_config(**overrides: Any) -> ConfigType:
+    config: ConfigType = {
+        "id": "test_display",
+        "model": "ssd1677",
+        "dc_pin": 21,
+        "busy_pin": 22,
+        "reset_pin": 23,
+        "cs_pin": 5,
+        "dimensions": {"width": 200, "height": 200},
+    }
+    config.update(overrides)
+    return config
+
+
+def _setup_esp32(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+    variant: str = VARIANT_ESP32,
+    board: str = "esp32dev",
+) -> None:
+    set_core_config(
+        PlatformFramework.ESP32_IDF,
+        platform_data={KEY_BOARD: board, KEY_VARIANT: variant},
+    )
+    set_component_config("spi", {"id": "spi_bus", "clk_pin": 18, "mosi_pin": 19})
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def temp_model() -> Generator[Callable[..., EpaperModel]]:
+    """Register a throwaway EpaperModel for a test and remove it from the shared registry after."""
+    created: list[EpaperModel] = []
+
+    def _make(name: str, **defaults: Any) -> EpaperModel:
+        model = EpaperModel(name, class_name="EPaperMono", **defaults)
+        created.append(model)
+        return model
+
+    yield _make
+    for model in created:
+        MODELS.pop(model.name, None)
+
+
+# --- border_waveform ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_border_waveform_default_mono(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """ssd1677 defaults border_waveform to 0x01."""
+    _setup_esp32(set_core_config, set_component_config)
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(_ssd1677_config())
+
+    assert result[CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM] == 0x01
+
+
+def test_border_waveform_default_gray4(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """The 4-level grayscale variant defaults border_waveform to 0x00, independently of mono."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+        {"id": "test_display", "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4"}
+    )
+
+    assert result[CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM] == 0x00
+
+
+def test_border_waveform_override(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """An explicit border_waveform overrides the model default."""
+    _setup_esp32(set_core_config, set_component_config)
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(_ssd1677_config(border_waveform=0x1A))
+
+    assert result[CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM] == 0x1A
+
+
+def test_border_waveform_accepts_hex_string(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """border_waveform accepts a hex string like the YAML author would write."""
+    _setup_esp32(set_core_config, set_component_config)
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(_ssd1677_config(border_waveform="0x1A"))
+
+    assert result[CONF_BORDER_WAVEFORM] == 0x1A
+
+
+def test_border_waveform_out_of_range(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """border_waveform rejects values that don't fit in a byte."""
+    _setup_esp32(set_core_config, set_component_config)
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid):
+        CONFIG_SCHEMA(_ssd1677_config(border_waveform=0x100))
+
+
+def test_border_waveform_in_generated_init_sequence(
+    generate_main: Callable[[str | Path], str],
+    component_config_path: Callable[[str], Path],
+) -> None:
+    """The configured border_waveform byte reaches the generated init sequence.
+
+    Command 0x3C (60) is followed by a length of 1 and the waveform byte.
+    """
+    main_cpp = generate_main(component_config_path("ssd1677_border_waveform_test.yaml"))
+
+    assert re.search(r"60,\s*1,\s*0x1A,", main_cpp)
+
+
+# --- full_update_every / supports_partial_update ------------------------------
+
+
+def test_full_update_every_rejected_for_gray4(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """The gray4 driver's partial updates are black and white and flatten the whole
+    panel, so full_update_every > 1 is refused unless that is explicitly accepted."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="monochrome_partial_updates: true"):
+        CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+            {
+                "id": "test_display",
+                "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4",
+                "full_update_every": 5,
+            }
+        )
+
+
+def test_full_update_every_accepted_for_gray4_with_monochrome_partials(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """With the trade-off accepted, the gray4 driver takes full_update_every > 1."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+        {
+            "id": "test_display",
+            "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4",
+            "full_update_every": 5,
+            "monochrome_partial_updates": True,
+        }
+    )
+
+    assert result["full_update_every"] == 5
+
+
+def test_monochrome_partial_updates_not_offered_for_mono_sticky(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """The option only exists where partial updates lose something."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="monochrome_partial_updates"):
+        CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+            {
+                "id": "test_display",
+                "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky",
+                "monochrome_partial_updates": True,
+            }
+        )
+
+
+def test_full_update_every_default_accepted_for_gray4(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """Leaving full_update_every at its default of 1 is fine for the gray4 driver."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+        {"id": "test_display", "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4"}
+    )
+
+    assert result["full_update_every"] == 1
+
+
+def test_full_update_every_accepted_for_mono_sticky(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """The mono sibling model supports partial update, unaffected by the gray4 restriction."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+        {
+            "id": "test_display",
+            "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky",
+            "full_update_every": 5,
+        }
+    )
+
+    assert result["full_update_every"] == 5
+
+
+# --- check_requirements -------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_requirement_missing_raises(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """seeed-reterminal-sticky requires psram; without it, config validation fails."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {}
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="requires component 'psram'"):
+        CONFIG_SCHEMA({"id": "test_display", "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky"})
+
+
+def test_requirement_satisfied_does_not_raise(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """With psram present at the top level, seeed-reterminal-sticky validates."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    CORE.raw_config = {"psram": {}}
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA({"id": "test_display", "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky"})
+
+    assert result["model"] == "SEEED-RETERMINAL-STICKY"
+
+
+def test_requirement_check_skipped_without_raw_config(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """With no raw_config (e.g. a schema invoked directly, as in these tests), the
+    requirement check is a no-op rather than a false failure."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+    assert CORE.raw_config is None
+
+    # Should not raise even though "psram" is required and nothing was configured.
+    CONFIG_SCHEMA({"id": "test_display", "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky"})
+
+
+def test_requirement_missing_multiple_pluralised(
+    temp_model: Callable[..., EpaperModel],
+) -> None:
+    """The error message pluralises "component(s)" and lists every missing one."""
+    model = temp_model("test-multi-requirement", requires={"aaa", "bbb"})
+    CORE.raw_config = {}
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="requires components 'aaa', 'bbb'"):
+        model.check_requirements()
+
+
+# --- width_multiple -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("width", [804, 801])
+def test_gray4_width_not_multiple_of_8_rejected(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+    width: int,
+) -> None:
+    """The gray4 plane split reads two whole buffer bytes per plane byte, so width must be a multiple of 8."""
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="multiple of 8"):
+        CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+            {
+                "id": "test_display",
+                "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4",
+                "dimensions": {"width": width, "height": 480},
+            }
+        )
+
+
+def test_gray4_width_multiple_of_8_accepted(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    _setup_esp32(
+        set_core_config, set_component_config, VARIANT_ESP32S3, "esp32-s3-devkitc-1"
+    )
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(
+        {
+            "id": "test_display",
+            "model": "seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4",
+            "dimensions": {"width": 808, "height": 480},
+        }
+    )
+
+    assert result["dimensions"]["width"] == 808
+
+
+def test_mono_ssd1677_accepts_any_width(
+    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
+    set_component_config: Callable[[str, Any], None],
+) -> None:
+    """The width restriction applies only to the gray4 model."""
+    _setup_esp32(set_core_config, set_component_config)
+
+    result = CONFIG_SCHEMA(_ssd1677_config(dimensions={"width": 204, "height": 200}))
+
+    assert result["dimensions"]["width"] == 204
+
+
+# --- extend(class_name=...) --------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_gray4_code_generation(
+    generate_main: Callable[[str | Path], str],
+    component_config_path: Callable[[str], Path],
+) -> None:
+    """seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4 generates the EPaperSSD1677Gray4 driver, not EPaperMono."""
+    main_cpp = generate_main(component_config_path("ssd1677_gray4_test.yaml"))
+
+    assert "epaper_spi::EPaperSSD1677Gray4" in main_cpp
+    assert "epaper_spi::EPaperMono" not in main_cpp
diff --git a/tests/components/epaper_spi/common.h b/tests/components/epaper_spi/common.h
index 5ac12afa6a..f21e674fde 100644
--- a/tests/components/epaper_spi/common.h
+++ b/tests/components/epaper_spi/common.h
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
 
+#include <map>
+#include <vector>
+
 #include "esphome/components/spi/spi.h"
 #include "esphome/core/hal.h"
 
@@ -47,4 +50,51 @@ class RecordingPin : public GPIOPin {
   bool level{true};
 };
 
+/// SPI delegate that records what reaches the bus, filing each payload under the command it
+/// followed; commands are the bytes written while D/C is low. Optionally burns wall-clock time on
+/// each data row, so a transfer can be driven past its yield deadline.
+class RecordingDelegate : public spi::SPIDelegate {
+ public:
+  explicit RecordingDelegate(const RecordingPin *dc, uint32_t row_transfer_ms = 0)
+      : dc_(dc), row_transfer_ms_(row_transfer_ms) {}
+
+  uint8_t transfer(uint8_t data) override {
+    this->record_(&data, 1);
+    return 0;
+  }
+  void write_array(const uint8_t *ptr, size_t length) override {
+    this->record_(ptr, length);
+    if (this->dc_->level && this->row_transfer_ms_ != 0) {
+      const uint32_t until = millis() + this->row_transfer_ms_;
+      while (millis() < until) {
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  void clear() {
+    this->commands.clear();
+    this->data.clear();
+  }
+
+  std::vector<uint8_t> commands;
+  std::map<uint8_t, std::vector<uint8_t>> data;
+
+ protected:
+  void record_(const uint8_t *ptr, size_t length) {
+    if (!this->dc_->level) {
+      for (size_t i = 0; i != length; i++) {
+        this->commands.push_back(ptr[i]);
+        this->last_command_ = ptr[i];
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    auto &payload = this->data[this->last_command_];
+    payload.insert(payload.end(), ptr, ptr + length);
+  }
+
+  const RecordingPin *dc_;
+  uint32_t row_transfer_ms_;
+  uint8_t last_command_{0};
+};
+
 }  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing
diff --git a/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_ssd1677_gray4_transfer.cpp b/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_ssd1677_gray4_transfer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1a66efe983
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_ssd1677_gray4_transfer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,298 @@
+#include <gtest/gtest.h>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "../common.h"
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing {
+
+class TestableSSD1677Gray4 : public EPaperSSD1677Gray4 {
+ public:
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4(uint16_t width, uint16_t height) : EPaperSSD1677Gray4("test", width, height, nullptr, 0) {}
+
+  void install(spi::SPIDelegate *delegate) {
+    this->delegate_ = delegate;
+    this->set_dc_pin(&this->dc);
+    ASSERT_TRUE(this->init_buffer_(this->buffer_length_));
+  }
+
+  /// As configured with monochrome_partial_updates: full_update_every > 1.
+  void install_with_partials(spi::SPIDelegate *delegate) {
+    this->install(delegate);
+    this->set_full_update_every(5);
+    this->init_comparison_frame_();
+    ASSERT_TRUE(this->sent_.is_valid());
+  }
+
+  /// What the base class would decide; 0 means the next push is a full one.
+  void set_update_count(uint8_t count) { this->update_count_ = count; }
+
+  /// Pretend only this rectangle changed.
+  void set_dirty(uint16_t x_low, uint16_t y_low, uint16_t x_high, uint16_t y_high) {
+    this->x_low_ = x_low;
+    this->y_low_ = y_low;
+    this->x_high_ = x_high;
+    this->y_high_ = y_high;
+  }
+
+  /// Both planes of one push; returns how many calls it took.
+  int run_push() {
+    int calls = 1;
+    while (!this->transfer_data())
+      calls++;
+    return calls;
+  }
+
+  using EPaperSSD1677Gray4::refresh_screen;
+  using EPaperSSD1677Gray4::transfer_data;
+
+  RecordingPin dc;
+};
+
+using Bytes = std::vector<uint8_t>;
+
+namespace {
+
+/// A gray that lands squarely on each of the four levels.
+Color color_for_level(uint8_t level) {
+  static const uint8_t GRAYS[4] = {0, 64, 128, 255};
+  const uint8_t v = GRAYS[level];
+  return Color(v, v, v);
+}
+
+void draw_row(TestableSSD1677Gray4 &display, int y, const std::vector<uint8_t> &levels) {
+  for (size_t x = 0; x != levels.size(); x++)
+    display.draw_pixel_at((int) x, y, color_for_level(levels[x]));
+}
+
+}  // namespace
+
+/// Each pixel's 2-bit level is split across the RAM planes: the high bit to 0x24, the low bit to
+/// 0x26, both inverted because the four-level waveform reads 1 as white.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, SplitsEachLevelAcrossBothPlanes) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 1);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus);
+
+  draw_row(display, 0, {0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3});
+  display.run_push();
+
+  //         levels  0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
+  // high bit        0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 = 0x33, inverted 0xCC
+  // low  bit        0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 = 0x55, inverted 0xAA
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0xCC}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0xAA}));
+}
+
+/// Two buffer bytes (4 pixels each) make one plane byte (8 pixels), leftmost pixel in the most
+/// significant bit. An asymmetric row catches a swapped pair or reversed bit order.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, PacksPixelsLeftmostFirstAcrossSourceBytes) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(16, 1);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus);
+
+  draw_row(display, 0, {3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2});
+  display.run_push();
+
+  // high bits: pixel 0 (3) and pixel 15 (2) -> 0x80 0x01, inverted 0x7F 0xFE
+  // low  bits: pixel 0 (3) only             -> 0x80 0x00, inverted 0x7F 0xFF
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x7F, 0xFE}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0x7F, 0xFF}));
+}
+
+/// The high-bit plane goes out first, each plane exactly once per push.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, WritesTheHighBitPlaneBeforeTheLowBitPlane) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 1);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus);
+
+  display.run_push();
+
+  const auto &cmds = bus.commands;
+  ASSERT_EQ(std::count(cmds.begin(), cmds.end(), 0x24), 1);
+  ASSERT_EQ(std::count(cmds.begin(), cmds.end(), 0x26), 1);
+  EXPECT_LT(std::find(cmds.begin(), cmds.end(), 0x24) - cmds.begin(),
+            std::find(cmds.begin(), cmds.end(), 0x26) - cmds.begin());
+}
+
+/// A push that yields partway through must resume the right plane at the right row.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, ResumesBothPlanesAfterYielding) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 4);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc, 6);  // two rows exceed MAX_TRANSFER_TIME
+  display.install(&bus);
+
+  draw_row(display, 0, {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0});
+  draw_row(display, 1, {1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1});
+  draw_row(display, 2, {2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2});
+  draw_row(display, 3, {3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3});
+  const int calls = display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_GT(calls, 2) << "the transfer never yielded, so this test proves nothing";
+  // rows at levels 0..3: high bits 0 0 1 1, low bits 0 1 0 1, each inverted across the row
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, 0x00}));
+}
+
+/// Without partial updates enabled (the default) every refresh is the four-level sequence, even if
+/// the update count says otherwise.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, WithoutPartialUpdatesEveryRefreshIsFourLevel) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 1);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus);
+
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  display.refresh_screen(true);
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.commands, (Bytes{0x1A, 0x22, 0x20}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x1A], (Bytes{0x67, 0x00}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x22], (Bytes{0xD7}));
+}
+
+// --- With monochrome partial updates ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// A full update is still four-level. It also records, as the frame the next partial update
+/// compares against, what the panel shows in black-and-white terms: the high bit of each level.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, FullPushRecordsTheHighBitsForTheNextPartial) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 1);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install_with_partials(&bus);
+
+  draw_row(display, 0, {0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3});
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0xCC})) << "full update is no longer the four-level split";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0xAA}));
+  bus.clear();
+
+  // Nothing changed: old and new planes must match, or the partial drives every pixel.
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  display.run_push();
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0x33})) << "comparison frame is not the high bits";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x33}));
+}
+
+/// A partial update sends the comparison frame to 0x26 and the new frame's high bits to 0x24,
+/// not inverted (it runs the black-and-white waveform), over the whole panel.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, PartialPushSendsTheHighBitsInBlackAndWhite) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install_with_partials(&bus);
+
+  draw_row(display, 0, {0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3});
+  draw_row(display, 1, {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0});
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  bus.clear();
+
+  draw_row(display, 1, {3, 3, 3, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0});
+  display.set_dirty(0, 1, 8, 2);  // only the start of the second row changed
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0x33, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00})) << "old plane is not the frame on the panel";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x33, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x00})) << "new plane is not the whole frame's high bits";
+}
+
+/// The new plane of a partial update is built a row at a time; a push that yields partway through
+/// must resume at the right row.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, PartialPushResumesAfterYielding) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 4);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc, 6);  // two rows exceed MAX_TRANSFER_TIME
+  display.install_with_partials(&bus);
+
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  bus.clear();
+
+  // The buffer starts white; darken all of row 0 and the right half of row 2
+  draw_row(display, 0, {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0});
+  draw_row(display, 2, {3, 3, 3, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0});
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  const int calls = display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_GT(calls, 2) << "the transfer never yielded, so this test proves nothing";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x00, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xFF}));
+}
+
+/// Regression test: a full update requested while a partial one is being sent must not switch the
+/// push to the four-level transfer halfway, which misread the partial's progress and never finished.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, FullUpdateRequestDuringAPartialPushWaitsForTheNextUpdate) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 4);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc, 6);  // two rows exceed MAX_TRANSFER_TIME
+  display.install_with_partials(&bus);
+
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  bus.clear();
+
+  draw_row(display, 0, {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0});
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  ASSERT_FALSE(display.transfer_data());
+  display.request_full_update();
+  int calls = 1;
+  while (!display.transfer_data())
+    ASSERT_LT(++calls, 20) << "partial push never finished";
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF}));
+  bus.clear();
+  display.refresh_screen(true);
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x22], (Bytes{0xFF})) << "refresh does not match the partial data sent";
+}
+
+/// The four-level refresh follows a reset, which loses controller RAM, so it must send the whole
+/// panel even when partial updates are enabled but the comparison frame could not be allocated.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, FourLevelPushCoversTheWholePanelWithoutAComparisonFrame) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus);
+  display.set_full_update_every(5);  // partial updates on, but no comparison frame
+
+  display.set_dirty(8, 1, 16, 2);
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24].size(), 4u) << "four-level update did not send the whole new plane";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26].size(), 4u) << "four-level update did not send the whole old plane";
+}
+
+/// A full update resets the controller, which does not keep RAM, so even when only part of the
+/// frame changed it must send the whole panel.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, FullPushWithPartialsEnabledCoversTheWholePanel) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install_with_partials(&bus);
+
+  display.set_dirty(8, 1, 16, 2);
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24].size(), 4u) << "full update did not send the whole new plane";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26].size(), 4u) << "full update did not send the whole old plane";
+}
+
+/// The refresh matches what was sent: black-and-white for a partial update, four-level for a full.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677Gray4, PartialRefreshIsBlackAndWhiteAndFullIsFourLevel) {
+  TestableSSD1677Gray4 display(8, 1);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install_with_partials(&bus);
+
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  display.refresh_screen(true);
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.commands, (Bytes{0x3C, 0x22, 0x20}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x22], (Bytes{0xFF})) << "partial update did not use the black-and-white waveform";
+  // The model's border setting is right for the four-level waveform only; under this one it
+  // would drive the border black on every partial.
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x3C], (Bytes{0x01})) << "partial update did not switch the border to LUT1";
+  bus.clear();
+
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.refresh_screen(false);
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x22], (Bytes{0xD7})) << "full update did not use the four-level waveform";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data.count(0x3C), 0u) << "full update overrode the model's border setting";
+}
+
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing
diff --git a/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_ssd1677_transfer.cpp b/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_ssd1677_transfer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cad853b197
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_ssd1677_transfer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,233 @@
+#include <gtest/gtest.h>
+
+#include <initializer_list>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "../common.h"
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing {
+
+class TestableSSD1677 : public EPaperSSD1677 {
+ public:
+  TestableSSD1677(uint16_t width, uint16_t height) : EPaperSSD1677("test", width, height, nullptr, 0) {}
+
+  void install(spi::SPIDelegate *delegate, uint8_t full_update_every) {
+    this->delegate_ = delegate;
+    this->set_dc_pin(&this->dc);
+    this->set_reset_pin(&this->reset_pin);
+    ASSERT_TRUE(this->init_buffer_(this->buffer_length_));
+    this->set_full_update_every(full_update_every);
+    this->init_comparison_frame_();
+  }
+
+  bool has_comparison_frame() const { return this->sent_.is_valid(); }
+
+  void set_frame(std::initializer_list<uint8_t> bytes) {
+    size_t i = 0;
+    for (const uint8_t byte : bytes)
+      this->buffer_[i++] = byte;
+  }
+
+  /// Fill the frame with a byte pattern that differs per seed; returns it.
+  std::vector<uint8_t> set_pattern(uint8_t seed) {
+    std::vector<uint8_t> frame;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i != this->buffer_length_; i++) {
+      frame.push_back((uint8_t) (seed + i * 7));
+      this->buffer_[i] = frame.back();
+    }
+    return frame;
+  }
+
+  /// What the base class would decide; 0 means the next push is a full one.
+  void set_update_count(uint8_t count) { this->update_count_ = count; }
+
+  /// Pretend only this rectangle changed.
+  void set_dirty(uint16_t x_low, uint16_t y_low, uint16_t x_high, uint16_t y_high) {
+    this->x_low_ = x_low;
+    this->y_low_ = y_low;
+    this->x_high_ = x_high;
+    this->y_high_ = y_high;
+  }
+
+  /// One call into the transfer; false while there is more to send.
+  bool step() { return this->transfer_data(); }
+
+  /// Both planes of one push; returns how many calls it took.
+  int run_push() {
+    int calls = 1;
+    while (!this->transfer_data())
+      calls++;
+    return calls;
+  }
+
+  /// Run the UPDATE state, with nothing drawn, and report whether a push follows.
+  bool run_update_state() {
+    this->set_auto_clear(false);
+    this->set_dirty(this->width_, this->height_, 0, 0);
+    this->state_ = EPaperState::UPDATE;
+    this->process_state_();
+    return this->state_ == EPaperState::RESET;
+  }
+  uint8_t update_count() const { return this->update_count_; }
+
+  bool reset_in(EPaperState state) {
+    this->state_ = state;
+    return this->reset();
+  }
+
+  RecordingPin dc;
+  RecordingPin reset_pin;
+};
+
+using Bytes = std::vector<uint8_t>;
+
+/// A full push ignores the old-image plane, and on the first push after boot the comparison frame
+/// holds nothing real yet, so the new frame goes to both planes.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, FullPushSendsTheNewFrameToBothPlanes) {
+  TestableSSD1677 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus, 5);
+
+  display.set_frame({0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3});
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3}));
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3}));
+}
+
+/// Regression test.
+///
+/// A partial refresh drives every pixel from the pair (0x26 = the image on the panel, 0x24 = the
+/// new image), across the whole panel whatever RAM window was written. The controller does not
+/// keep its RAM intact between updates, so sending only the changed window of 0x24 - and 0x26 once
+/// - leaves the pair wrong outside that window: unchanged pixels get driven on every partial and
+/// wash out. Both planes must go out whole, 0x26 holding the frame actually on the panel.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, PartialPushComparesAgainstTheFrameOnThePanel) {
+  TestableSSD1677 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus, 5);
+
+  display.set_frame({0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3});
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  bus.clear();
+
+  display.set_frame({0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0x00});
+  display.set_dirty(8, 1, 16, 2);  // only the last byte changed
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3})) << "old plane is not the frame on the panel";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0x00})) << "new plane is not the whole new frame";
+  // The RAM window, set once per plane, must span the panel too, not the changed rectangle.
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x44], (Bytes{0, 0, 15, 0, 0, 0, 15, 0})) << "x window is not the whole panel";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x45], (Bytes{0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0})) << "y window is not the whole panel";
+}
+
+/// The comparison frame must record the bytes that went to 0x24, not whatever the buffer holds
+/// later: LVGL can draw into the buffer while a push is in progress. Here the buffer changes
+/// between the two planes of a push; the next push must compare against what was actually sent.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, ComparisonFrameIsWhatWasSentNotTheBuffer) {
+  TestableSSD1677 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus, 5);
+
+  display.set_frame({0x11, 0x11, 0x11, 0x11});
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  display.set_frame({0x22, 0x22, 0x22, 0x22});
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  ASSERT_FALSE(display.step()) << "expected the old plane to go out on its own first";
+  display.set_frame({0x33, 0x33, 0x33, 0x33});  // drawn mid-push, before the new plane
+  while (!display.step()) {
+  }
+  ASSERT_EQ(bus.data[0x24].size(), 8u);
+  EXPECT_EQ(Bytes(bus.data[0x24].begin() + 4, bus.data[0x24].end()), (Bytes{0x33, 0x33, 0x33, 0x33}));
+  bus.clear();
+
+  display.set_frame({0x44, 0x44, 0x44, 0x44});
+  display.set_update_count(2);
+  display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], (Bytes{0x33, 0x33, 0x33, 0x33})) << "old plane is not what was last sent";
+}
+
+/// Two full planes can take several loop iterations to send; each resumed call must continue the
+/// right plane at the right byte. Planes go out in runs sized to the time slice, not row by row.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, ResumesTheRightPlaneAfterYielding) {
+  // 400x100 is 5000 bytes per plane: two runs at the default 2 MHz bus
+  TestableSSD1677 display(400, 100);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc, MAX_TRANSFER_TIME + 1);  // every run overruns the time slice
+  display.install(&bus, 5);
+
+  const auto old_frame = display.set_pattern(1);
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  bus.clear();
+
+  const auto new_frame = display.set_pattern(2);
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  const int calls = display.run_push();
+
+  EXPECT_EQ(calls, 4) << "expected two runs per plane, one per call";
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x26], old_frame);
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], new_frame);
+}
+
+/// A requested full update takes effect when the next update starts, and pushes the whole panel
+/// even if nothing was drawn.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, RequestedFullUpdateAppliesWhenTheNextUpdateStarts) {
+  TestableSSD1677 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus, 5);
+
+  display.set_update_count(3);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(display.run_update_state()) << "an update with nothing drawn should not push";
+
+  display.request_full_update();
+  EXPECT_EQ(display.update_count(), 3) << "request changed the update in progress";
+  EXPECT_TRUE(display.run_update_state()) << "requested full update did not push";
+  EXPECT_EQ(display.update_count(), 0) << "requested update is not a full one";
+
+  display.set_update_count(3);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(display.run_update_state()) << "request was applied more than once";
+}
+
+/// Nothing a partial needs lives in controller RAM any more, so a partial push skips the reset
+/// altogether; a full one still gets the hardware pulse and the software reset.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, PartialPushSkipsTheResetAndAFullPushKeepsIt) {
+  TestableSSD1677 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus, 5);
+
+  display.set_update_count(1);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(display.reset_in(EPaperState::RESET)) << "partial push waited on a reset";
+  EXPECT_TRUE(display.reset_pin.level) << "partial push pulsed the reset pin";
+  EXPECT_TRUE(bus.commands.empty()) << "partial push sent a software reset";
+
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(display.reset_in(EPaperState::RESET));
+  EXPECT_FALSE(display.reset_pin.level) << "full push did not pulse the reset pin";
+  EXPECT_TRUE(display.reset_in(EPaperState::RESET_END));
+  EXPECT_TRUE(display.reset_pin.level);
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.commands, (Bytes{0x12})) << "full push did not send a software reset";
+}
+
+/// With every update a full one nothing is ever compared against 0x26, so no comparison frame is
+/// allocated and the transfer is EPaperMono's.
+TEST(EPaperSSD1677, NoComparisonFrameWhenEveryUpdateIsFull) {
+  TestableSSD1677 display(16, 2);
+  RecordingDelegate bus(&display.dc);
+  display.install(&bus, 1);
+
+  EXPECT_FALSE(display.has_comparison_frame());
+  display.set_frame({0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3});
+  display.set_update_count(0);
+  display.run_push();
+  EXPECT_EQ(bus.data[0x24], (Bytes{0x0F, 0xF0, 0x3C, 0xC3}));
+}
+
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing
diff --git a/tests/components/epaper_spi/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml b/tests/components/epaper_spi/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml
index 602aeb8d0e..1678f46331 100644
--- a/tests/components/epaper_spi/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/epaper_spi/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 packages:
   spi: !include ../../test_build_components/common/spi/esp32-s3-idf.yaml
 
+psram:
+  mode: octal
+
+esphome:
+  on_boot:
+    then:
+      - epaper_spi.full_update_next: epaper_partial
+
 display:
   - platform: epaper_spi
     spi_id: spi_bus
@@ -85,12 +93,24 @@ display:
     busy_pin: 37
     enable_pin: 39
   - platform: epaper_spi
+    id: epaper_partial
     model: seeed-ee04-mono-4.26
     full_update_every: 10
     # Override pins to avoid conflict with other display configs
     busy_pin: 43
     dc_pin: 42
 
+  # Seeed reTerminal Sticky, four-level grayscale (800x480, SSD1677)
+  # dc_pin/reset_pin overridden to avoid conflict with other display configs
+  # full_update_every is not supported by this model, so left at its default of 1
+  - platform: epaper_spi
+    model: seeed-reterminal-sticky-gray4
+    dc_pin: 45
+    reset_pin: 9
+    lambda: |-
+      it.filled_rectangle(0, 0, it.get_width(), it.get_height(), Color(170, 170, 170));
+      it.circle(it.get_width() / 2, it.get_height() / 2, 100, Color::BLACK);
+
   # WeAct 2.13" 3-color e-paper (122x250, SSD1680)
   - platform: epaper_spi
     spi_id: spi_bus