- LPDDR4 price hikes are reflected directly on Raspberry Pi retail labels everywhere
- Higher memory densities now determine who can afford modern Raspberry Pi boards
- Entry-level Raspberry Pi models survive while mid- and high-end options take the hit.
Raspberry Pi hardware prices have increased again following an earlier adjustment made a few weeks ago, with the changes directly related to the increased costs of LPDDR4 memory.
The company links this increase to competition for manufacturing capacity, as large-scale AI infrastructure continues to absorb a growing share of global memory production.
According to statements accompanying the changes, the cost of some memory components more than doubled in a single quarter, creating pressure on most current Raspberry Pi platforms.
Which models are affected by the new pricing
The latest increases apply to Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 boards, as well as CM4 and CM5 compute modules and Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard computers.
Cards equipped with 2GB of RAM now cost $10 more, while 4GB models increase by $15 and 8GB versions by $30. Systems using 16 GB of memory see the biggest change, with prices climbing by $60.
As a result, high-end Raspberry Pi 5 configurations now exceed $200, a level not seen before in the product line.
Not all devices are affected by this adjustment, as models using lower memory capacities or older standards remain unchanged. The 1GB versions of the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 retain their existing prices, preserving an entry-level option within the range.
Older boards, such as Raspberry Pi Zero and Raspberry Pi 3, also remain stable, largely because they already have sufficient LPDDR2 memory stored.
The Raspberry Pi 400 all-in-one computer also avoids the increase and maintains its previous price.
Industry analysts have reported sharp upward revisions to forecast DRAM contract prices, driven by growing demand from data centers.
Memory manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing high-bandwidth products for hyperscalers, while the standard capacity of DRAM and LPDDR becomes more limited.
Large AI systems now require tens of terabytes of memory per deployment, reducing the supply available to smaller-scale hardware makers.
This environment leaves limited room for the Raspberry Pi to absorb costs without passing them on.
The cards’ higher prices raise questions about affordability for schools, students and casual learners, which are historically central to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem.
Raspberry Pi software communities and distributions may continue to thrive, but hardware costs increasingly determine who can participate.
Although the company characterizes the situation as temporary, the timing and magnitude of the increases suggest that access to education may remain limited for longer than expected.
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp Also.
