We already warned about it at the beginning of the yearIf you're planning to buy a computer in the short term, be careful; it might be best to reconsider. The use of AI has skyrocketed, and the companies behind it have purchased many components, such as RAM, SSDs, and graphics cards. Now we have some bad news, a continuation of our previous warning: Raspberry Pi will see its price increase.
This tariff review is not a minor adjustment: in some cases, the new labels mean increases of more than 70% compared to the original priceThe situation is especially worrying for educators, hobbyists, and small businesses that used Raspberry Pi as an affordable solution for robotics projects, home automation, computer labs, or light industrial deployments.
DRAM memory drives up Raspberry Pi prices
The company itself has explained that the main trigger is the unprecedented increase in the cost of LPDDR4 memory, the type of RAM used by current Raspberry Pi boards. This price increase is not an isolated phenomenon: it is part of a general rise in the DRAM memory, according to analysis on the supply chain, both in DDR4 and DDR5 modules and in chips integrated into all types of devices.
Since mid-2025, the price of RAM has been shooting quarter after quarterDDR5, present in many latest generation PCs and servers, is on its way to multiply its cost by fiveWhile DDR4 has already tripled in price in numerous wholesale contracts, the high cost of DDR5 has led many manufacturers and consumers to revert to DDR4. However, this shift has ultimately driven up the price of that technology as well.
Added to this scenario is the strong pressure from infrastructure for artificial intelligenceMajor chip manufacturers are redirecting production capacity towards higher value-added memories, such as High Bandwidth Memory (HBM)This is critical for GPUs and AI accelerators. This shift leaves less room for manufacturing LPDDR4 and other conventional memory, resulting in less supply and higher prices for products like the Raspberry Pi.
According to Eben Upton, co-founder and public face of the foundation, in recent months Some components have even doubled in priceGiven this scenario, and after having tried to absorb part of the impact in previous reviews, the organization states that it has been forced to pass on a larger portion of the additional cost to end users.
How are the new prices affected by the amount of RAM?
The new pricing structure is directly linked to the amount of memory installed in each model, such as the Cheapest Raspberry Pi 5 with 2GBThe more RAM a motherboard has, the higher the price increase. The general rule is easy to understand, and the foundation has detailed it in recent statements: motherboards with 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB of RAM increase in price in increments.
Specifically, all affected devices share the same pattern of increase: Versions with 2GB of RAM add $10 extra Regarding the previous price, the configurations of 4 GB increases by $15, the models with 8 GB adds $30 and the variants with 16 GB of memory now costs $60 moreThis scheme applies to both desktop Raspberry Pis and modules aimed at integrators.
Looking at the percentages, the changes are striking. In the case of the Raspberry Pi 4The increases are around 22,2% for the 2GB model, around the 25% off for the 4GB version and around the 35,3% for the 8GB variantFor example, an 8GB drive that previously cost around $85 now costs around... $115, while the cheapest option has jumped from $45 to about $55.
La Raspberry Pi 5 It doesn't fare any better. Its versions see approximate increases of 18,2% for 2 GB, 21,4% for 4 GB, 31,6% for 8 GB and until a 41,4% on the 16GB modelThe latter is the most affected of the entire range: it has gone from costing $145 to settle around $205This represents a total price increase of approximately 70,8%. This figure places this motherboard in a price range where it competes directly with low-power x86 mini PCs.
Concrete example: price evolution of Raspberry Pi 5
Official statements and price lists published by the foundation and various distributors show how the [product/service] has evolved. Raspberry Pi 5 recommended retail price (MSRP) From the end of 2025 to the beginning of 2026. During that period there have been several revisions, including temporary increases that have finally become permanent.
Taking as a reference the price lists from the end of November 2025, the December update, and the latest price increase announced in February 2026, the situation for the Raspberry Pi 5 series is as follows:
| Córdoba | MSRP 30.11.2025 |
MSRP 12.01.2025 |
MSRP 02.02.2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 (1GB) | - | $45 | $45 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 (2GB) | $50 | $55 | $65 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) | $60 | $70 | $85 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) | $80 | $95 | $125 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) | $120 | $145 | $205 |
As you can see, the The first price increases at the end of 2025 already served as a warning.with increases of $5 in some models, such as the 4GB Raspberry Pi 4, and up to $25 in certain Raspberry Pi 5 configurations. The latest revision, however, consolidates a much sharper jump, especially in the variants with more RAM, and leaves the 16GB model in a price range that is unusual for this ecosystem.
Which Raspberry Pi models are going up in price and which ones are staying the same?
The new pricing policy does not affect the entire range equally. The foundation has made it clear that the price increase applies to Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5as well as the Compute Module 4 and 5provided that the configurations include 2 GB of RAM or moreThis review also includes the compact computer with integrated keyboard. Raspberry Pi 500 and its variant Raspberry Pi 500+.
However, there is a group of devices that, for now, are spared. Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 with only 1 GB of RAM They maintain their reference prices, located at $35 and $45 respectivelyThe price of the previous all-in-one generation is also retained. Raspberry Pi 400, which is not included in the list of price-increased products.
Even more important for those seeking the lowest possible cost: the older models that use LPDDR2 memoryas the Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi 3 and other earlier variantsThey also maintain their current rates. The reason is purely logistical: the foundation claims to have sufficient LPDDR2 inventory for several yearsThis neutralizes the price pressure that exists on LPDDR4 and more modern memories.
Why LPDDR2 motherboards aren't getting more expensive
The distinction between models with LPDDR4 and LPDDR2 is key to understanding why Not all Raspberry Pi models have become more expensive.LPDDR2 memory, now considered an older technology, is not in the same demand as more modern chips. Large AI projects, data centers, and high-end devices barely use it, so its price has remained relatively stable.
In contrast, recent license plates, such as Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi 5, Compute Module and 500 seriesYes, they do depend on LPDDR4, precisely the type of memory whose cost has skyrocketed in recent quarters. Having convenient stock of LPDDR2The foundation can continue selling older models without needing to adjust their prices, leaving some affordable options open for projects that don't require the latest generation of hardware.
Impact on users in Spain and Europe
In markets such as Spain and Europe, where Raspberry Pi has established itself as an educational and DIY technology toolThe price increase has clear consequences. Distributors have no choice but to pass these increases on to the retail price, so the end user sees how a device that was previously clearly priced below €100 can now cost much more. end up around or exceeding that figureespecially in the versions with more RAM.
This price increase partially undermines the platform's historical appeal as very cheap and flexible solution For programming courses, electronics workshops, robotics clubs, or small industrial monitoring installations. For an educational center wanting to equip an entire classroom, a difference of 20 or 30 euros per unit quickly translates into a much larger budget, which in many cases forces them to rethink projects or look for alternatives.
In the domestic and hobbyist sphere, where plates used for home automation, home servers, media centers, or small Linux workstationsThe effect is also noticeable. Configurations with 8 or 16 GB, which were previously reasonably affordable for somewhat more demanding uses, are now too close to the price of certain mini PC x86 and refurbished equipment that, although it consumes more energy, can offer greater raw power and compatibility with multiple operating systems.
Relationship with other increases in the technology sector
The foundation emphasizes that this price increase should not be interpreted as an isolated case, but as part of a... general trend in the electronics industryIn recent years, desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, consoles, graphics cards, and even connected televisions and appliances have experienced price increases due to the rising cost of semiconductors.
The rise of the artificial intelligence as a driver of demand This has strained the production of memory and storage chips. The impact is noticeable in both DRAM and... NAND Flash used for SSDs and other storage systemsWith each passing quarter, more manufacturers are adjusting their catalogs, and according to the foundation's forecasts, during Further price adjustments could continue into 2026. until the market manages to absorb the current demand.
Analysts suggest that the situation could last for several years, with some scenarios in which RAM price normalization would not fully occur. until around 2028Meanwhile, both large brands and smaller projects, including Raspberry Pi, are being forced to adapt their pricing policies to a context of rising costs.
"Temporary" increases and future expectations
In December 2025, when a first round of increases was announced, the foundation spoke of a temporary increase, conditional on the evolution of RAM costsAt that time, it was believed that once the market stabilized, motherboard prices would return to levels closer to their original values. However, the price surge has not slowed, and forecasts point to further price tension in the short term.
In the latest communication, Eben Upton insists that the intention remains reverse these increases as soon as the cost of memory allows itThe foundation presents these adjustments as a direct response to an exceptional market context, not as a permanent change in pricing philosophy. Even so, it admits that 2026 will be a complicated yearwith AI competing for manufacturing resources and leaving little room to reduce component costs.
For now, the only certainties are the new prices and the confirmation that Further revisions are not ruled out if the DRAM continues to become more expensive.The idea also persists that, once the market stabilizes, official Raspberry Pi prices could drop again, although there's no clear timeline. For European users and buyers, this translates into a period of careful consideration and the need to carefully evaluate which model and configuration best suits their project.
The new pricing landscape leaves Raspberry Pi in a different position than in its origins, but it still offers a variety of options: from the latest models, now clearly more expensive, to LPDDR2 boards that remain as inexpensive alternatives for simple tasksAs long as the cost of RAM continues to be the main driver of the sector, anyone wanting to set up a Raspberry Pi project will have to be more budget-conscious and carefully compare it against other low-cost solutions available on the European market.
