Raspberry Pi costs leap once more as RAM shortages slam PCs
Abstract created by Sensible Solutions AI
In abstract:
- PCWorld reviews that Raspberry Pi gadgets face a second worth hike in two months, with will increase starting from $10 for 2GB fashions to $60 for premium 16GB variations.
- World RAM shortages pushed by AI expertise demand are forcing worth will increase throughout client electronics, affecting firms like Framework and Nvidia alongside Raspberry Pi.
- The Raspberry Pi 5 16GB now prices $205, although older fashions stay unaffected on account of stockpiled reminiscence and the CEO expects these will increase to be non permanent.
RAM costs are going up. That’s been the information for months and months, and it’s affecting virtually each side of client electronics, from probably the most highly effective graphics playing cards to the most affordable pastime machines. The beloved Raspberry Pi is getting its second worth hike in two months, due to RAM shortages pushed by “AI” demand.
Precisely two months in the past, the Raspberry Pi Basis needed to bump up the costs of varied Pi 4 and Pi 5 computer systems by $5-25. The sorry state of pricing precipitated the corporate to launch a brand new, extra reasonably priced mannequin beginning at $45 USD, however with only one gigabyte of DDR4 reminiscence. That mannequin can also be the one one which’s spared from the newest will increase: An additional $10 worth bump for 2GB fashions, $15 for 4GB, $30 for 8GB, and a whopping $60 for Pi fashions with16GB of reminiscence.
This consists of the keyboard-packing Raspberry Pi 500 and 500+ designs. Thankfully the Pi Zero, Pi 3, and “different older merchandise” are staying the identical worth, due to older gadgets utilizing older reminiscence that’s been stockpiled. Right here’s the present record of related Pi fashions and their USD costs, as of February 2026, in comparison with their mid-2025 costs:
| Mannequin | Capability | Mid-2025 worth, USD | February 2026 worth, USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 | 4GB | $55 | $75 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 | 8GB | $75 | $115 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 1GB | – | $45 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 2GB | $50 | $65 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 4GB | $60 | $85 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 8GB | $80 | $125 |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 16GB | $120 | $205 |
Raspberry Pi isn’t the one builder-focused firm that’s been pressured to boost costs as a result of AI RAM crunch. Framework has needed to elevate the worth of RAM modules a number of instances. Nvidia seems to be slicing manufacturing of a minimum of some consumer-grade graphics playing cards (although it’s in injury management on precisely how that’ll shake out), prioritizing information center-focused chip and reminiscence manufacturing. Costs are capturing via the roof, and companions like Zotac are evidently sweating.
However hey, it’s all value it, proper? We will get auto-generated search outcomes and headlines which might be consistently incorrect, and generate non-consensual photos of strangers on the corpse of Twitter, whereas boiling the planet and growing energy payments.
Raspberry Pi founder and CEO Eben Upton says that “the present state of affairs is finally a short lived one,” and that worth will increase might be reversed as soon as it’s over. Chin up, I suppose.
