Raspberry Pi announced significant price increases across its product line on April 1st, marking the third such adjustment since December 2025. The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 model saw the steepest increase at $100, bringing its price to $305, while 4GB models across both Pi 4 and Pi 5 lines increased by $25.
The price hikes stem from ongoing shortages in LPDDR4 memory — the type used in Pi 4 and Pi 5 models. This represents a departure from the company's traditional value proposition, with some models now costing nearly triple their original 2025 prices.
To offset the impact, Raspberry Pi introduced a new 3GB Pi 4 model priced at $83.75, positioned between existing configurations. The company likely achieves this capacity by soldering two 1.5GB memory chips onto both sides of the board — a configuration not available for the Pi 5.
The increases vary by memory capacity. The 8GB models jumped $50 across both Pi 4 and Pi 5 lines, while the flagship Pi 500+ keyboard computer increased by $150 to $430. Compute modules saw increases ranging from $11.25 to $100 depending on configuration.
Older models using LPDDR2 memory, including the Pi 3 and Zero 2 W, remain unaffected. The company maintains sufficient inventory of this older memory type and doesn't require additional purchases at current market rates.
Tecnoblog frames the increases as shocking departures from Raspberry Pi's traditional cost-benefit appeal. The outlet emphasizes how the dramatic price jumps undermine the company's value proposition with each successive increase.
Heise Online takes a technical approach, focusing on the memory shortage mechanics and product specifications. The outlet provides detailed pricing tables and explains the technical reasons behind the 3GB model introduction.
The timing coincides with broader semiconductor supply constraints affecting multiple industries. Memory prices have climbed steadily since late 2025, forcing hardware manufacturers to pass costs onto consumers or absorb margin pressure.
Raspberry Pi's approach mirrors strategies used during previous shortages — introducing intermediate configurations to maintain some price accessibility. The December 2025 price increase similarly introduced a 1GB Pi 5 model as a budget option.
The company promises to reverse increases when memory costs decline, though no timeline exists for such relief. Current market conditions suggest LPDDR4 prices may remain elevated through 2026 as demand from mobile devices and embedded systems continues outpacing supply.
These increases challenge Raspberry Pi's positioning as an affordable computing platform for education and hobbyist projects. The Pi 4 with 4GB now costs $100 — double its original $55 price point from 2025.