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This account reflects manufacturer announcements through August 18, 2026. Dollar figures are US manufacturer or reported prices, not guaranteed retail prices in every country.
What changed on February 2, 2026?
The February announcement covered Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 products with at least 2GB of memory, plus affected Compute Module 4, Compute Module 5, Raspberry Pi 500 and Raspberry Pi 500+ configurations. The increase was tied mainly to memory capacity, not simply to the product name.
| Memory | February increase (US dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1GB | No increase |
| 2GB | +$10 |
| 4GB | +$15 |
| 8GB | +$30 |
| 16GB | +$60 |
Raspberry Pi kept the 1GB Raspberry Pi 4 at $35 and the 1GB Raspberry Pi 5 at $45. Raspberry Pi 400 was excluded and remained $60. Reported post-increase US prices included $205 for a 16GB Pi 5, $125 for an 8GB Pi 4 and $135 for an 8GB Pi 5; reseller prices can differ because of tax, shipping, currency conversion, inventory and margins. See Raspberry Pi’s announcement at raspberrypi.com and independent coverage at Ars Technica.
Why AI demand affected Raspberry Pi prices
Raspberry Pi says the issue is specifically a surge in LPDDR4 cost and supply pressure. AI data centers consume enormous quantities of advanced memory, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and compete with conventional products for semiconductor-fabrication capacity. Manufacturers must allocate scarce wafer and packaging capacity among those products.
Pi 4 and Pi 5 boards use LPDDR4 soldered directly to the board. It cannot be removed or replaced by a cheaper user-supplied module, so Raspberry Pi cannot sell a board without memory or let customers substitute another type. The company said some component costs more than doubled during the quarter preceding the February announcement. Its explanation is an industry-capacity effect, not a claim that every AI accelerator uses the same memory chips as a Raspberry Pi. The earlier October announcement describes the HBM and LPDDR4 connection at raspberrypi.com.
The price story started before February—and continued afterward
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Selected Compute Module 4 and 5 prices rose, including $5 for 4GB and $10 for 8GB models. |
| December 1, 2025 | Raspberry Pi introduced a $45 1GB Pi 5 and raised selected Pi 4 and Pi 5 prices. |
| February 2, 2026 | Broad increases of $10 to $60 by memory capacity. |
| April 1, 2026 | A further round of increases and a new 3GB Pi 4. |
The December announcement is documented at raspberrypi.com. Consequently, “second price hike in two months” accurately describes the December-to-February sequence, not the complete price situation in August.
Rank #2
- Includes Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Model B with 1.5GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU (4GB RAM)
- Includes Pre-Loaded 32GB EVO+ Micro SD Card (Class 10), USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Premium High-Gloss Raspberry Pi 4 Case with Integrated Fan Mount, CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- CanaKit 3.5A USB-C Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply (US Plug) with Noise Filter, Set of Heat Sinks, Display Cable - 6 foot (Supports up to 4K60p)
- CanaKit USB-C PiSwitch (On/Off Power Switch for Raspberry Pi 4)
What changed on April 1, 2026?
Raspberry Pi said LPDDR4 DRAM used in Pi 4 and Pi 5 had risen sevenfold over the preceding year. The April increases were:
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| Product or configuration | April increase (US dollars) |
|---|---|
| Pi 4 and Pi 5, 4GB | +$25 |
| Pi 4 and Pi 5, 8GB | +$50 |
| Pi 5, 16GB | +$100 |
| Raspberry Pi 500 | +$50 |
| Raspberry Pi 500+ unit and kit | +$150 |
| Compute Module 4/4S/5, 1GB | +$11.25 |
| Compute Module 4/4S/5, 2GB | +$12.50 |
| Compute Module 4/4S/5, 4GB | +$25 |
| Compute Module 4/4S/5, 8GB | +$50 |
| Compute Module 5, 16GB | +$100 |
| Compute Module 5 development kit | +$25 |
| Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2 | +$50 |
Raspberry Pi also launched a 3GB Raspberry Pi 4 at $83.75, offering an intermediate capacity for projects that exceed 2GB but do not need 4GB. The company said the Pi 400 remained $60 and that 1GB and 2GB Pi 4 and Pi 5 variants stayed in an approximately $35-to-$65 range. Details are in the April announcement.
Which Raspberry Pi should you buy?
Memory capacity is only one performance variable; CPU generation, storage, cooling, networking and software support also matter. Choose the smallest capacity that meets the workload.
Rank #3
- 【What you Get】You will get 1*Pi 5 8GB Single Board,1*RasTech Case,1*Active Cooler,1*Screwdriver,1*Installation instructions,12-month free warranty, lifetime service, 24-hour prompt and friendly response.
- 【More Connectors】There are two USB 3.0 ports(5Gbps simultaneously) and two USB 2.0 ports, which triple total bandwidth ,support any combination of up to two cameras or displays. Peak SD card performance is doubled through support for the SDR104 high-speed mode. It provides a smooth desktop experience for you. Offer Gigabit Ethernet and a PCIe interface, along with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE wireless capability. The RasTech Pi 5 Kit use the new 27W 5.1V 5A USB-C power connector.
- 【 Support Dual 4Kp60 Display 】Each of the two microHDMI sockets can control a 4K display at 60 Hertz, now support HDR, offering super HD video for media streaming projects. RPi 5 is the first RPi model that comes with a PCI Express port (PCIe 2.0 x1 with 500 MB/s) to attach SSDs (requires separate M.2 HAT).
- 【 Excellent Chips And Applications】Pi 5 is a full-size Pi computer using silicon built in-house at Pi. The RP1 “southbridge” provides the bulk of the I/O capabilities for Pi 5. Pi 5 is more friendly and convenient in the development of Internet of Things, Web development, machine identification, automatic control and other electronic equipment applications and network.
- 【 Faster CPU, Better GPU 】 Pi 5 features a Broadcom BCM2712 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, it delivers a 2–3× increase in CPU performance relative to RaspberryPi 4. The 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU is compatible to OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, substantial uplift in graphics performance. Pi 5 Offers lightning-fast CPU speed, a PCI Express interface, a Real Time Clock (RTC) and a power button and runs significantly cooler than Pi 4.
1GB
Suitable for lightweight command-line systems, simple sensors, gateways, small services and some headless automation.
2GB
A sensible fit for many headless servers, network tools, GPIO projects and modest home-automation systems.
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The new Pi 4 option is an intermediate choice when 2GB is tight but 4GB pricing is difficult to justify.
Rank #4
- All-in-One Complete Kit: This SANOOV RPi 5 bundle comes with Raspberry Pi 5 4GB RAM single board, active cooler, durable ABS case and screwdriver. No extra parts needed, ready to use right out of the box for beginners and hobbyists
- Powerful Single Board Computer: Equipped with 4GB RAM and high-performance processor, delivers fast running speed for 4K playback, AI projects, programming and daily computing tasks. SANOOV for raspberry pi 5 4GB is equipped with broadcom 64 quad-core Arm Cortex A76 processor with gigabit ethernet and upgraded with IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz and Power Over Ethernet (POE). Upgrading delivers 2-3 x speed vs Pi 4, redefining the experience
- Efficient Active Cooler: Effectively lowers operating temperature and prevents performance throttling. Runs quietly even under long-time heavy load, ensures stable operation all day long. SANOOV RPi 5 4GB kit offer an active cooler, which combines an aluminium heatsink with a high-performance PWM fan. Active cooler is fully compatible with the Pi OS, which can effectively reduce the temperature of RPi5 and ensure its good performance during long-term high load operation
- Sturdy ABS Protective Case: Well-fitted for Raspberry Pi 5 board, can be secured with 4 screws to effectively protect the Pi 5 motherboard from damage, reserves full access to all ports and buttons. SANOOV uses ABS material to produce the case, which has a softer texture and feel. Meanwhile, SANOOV case adopts a layered design for easy disassembly and installation. (Tip: The Case cannot install M.2 HAT Add on Board and Solid State Drive!)
- Wide Application & Full Compatibility: Seamlessly compatible with official OS and mainstream peripheral accessories for Raspberry Pi 5. Whether you are a beginner, student, electronics hobbyist or professional developer, this all-in-one kit meets your diverse needs. It excels in IoT projects, robotics design, retro gaming devices, home media servers and other DIY creations. Backed by a large global community, you can easily find guides, technical support and shared projects online
4GB
A practical baseline for a Pi desktop, software development, containers, media applications and heavier multitasking.
8GB or 16GB
These capacities make sense for large container stacks, local databases, compilation, virtualization or genuinely memory-intensive local AI workloads. Extra RAM does not automatically make ordinary Pi tasks faster.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Remember the complete system cost
A board normally needs a USB-C power supply, storage, cooling and a case; a desktop setup may also need a display, keyboard, mouse, cables and adapters. Compare that assembled cost with a complete computer, not with the board alone. A Pi offers GPIO, a large maker ecosystem, compact size and low power use, while a mini PC may include RAM, storage, case and power adapter.
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Best Value
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
Alternatives when the price no longer fits
Used business mini PCs
Used Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny, Dell OptiPlex Micro, HP EliteDesk Mini and similar systems often provide more CPU performance, storage and upgradeable RAM per dollar. They consume more power, occupy more space, lack native Raspberry Pi GPIO and may have uncertain fan, storage, firmware or seller-return condition.
New low-cost x86 mini PCs
Intel N100-class and similar systems can be stronger general-purpose desktops and usually include memory, storage and a power supply. Low-cost models vary in cooling, firmware, build quality and long-term support, and they are poor substitutes for an embedded design built around Raspberry Pi interfaces.
Older or used Raspberry Pi boards
Pi 4, Pi 3, Pi Zero models and used Pi 5 boards may be better value when their performance is sufficient. Check the exact RAM, included accessories, power behavior, SD-card wear, overheating or overclocking signs, authenticity, returns and shipping before buying. The February increase did not apply uniformly to Pi Zero, Pi 3, Pi 400 or every 1GB model; older LPDDR2-based products were specifically outside that increase.
How to buy without overpaying
- Check the current manufacturer or approved-reseller price at Raspberry Pi’s product pages and compare the final delivered cost.
- Do not assume an unchanged official price means stock is available; scarcity can produce reseller markups.
- Verify whether a listing is new, refurbished, imported, bundled or missing a warranty.
- Do not panic-buy high-memory boards. Buy extra capacity only when the workload requires it.
- For commercial deployments, weigh Compute Module availability, support and long-term supply more heavily than consumer board pricing.
Are prices likely to fall again?
Raspberry Pi has said it hopes to unwind the increases if memory costs abate. That is an intention, not a timetable or guarantee. Prices also differ by region and seller, so the official US figures above should not be treated as universal retail prices.
Bottom line
The February 2 increase was real, but the April 1 escalation is the more important current context. For most projects, the financially sound approach is to select the lowest-memory Pi that satisfies the software, include every accessory in the calculation, and compare the resulting system with a used or new x86 mini PC. Embedded, GPIO-heavy and low-power projects can still justify a Pi; general-purpose desktop buyers should be more price-sensitive.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
