The Raspberry Pi 5 2GB launched two years ago at an attractive price of $50. The device gradually increased in price and eventually stabilized at $65 for an extended period. Despite efforts to keep costs low, Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton recently confirmed that maintaining the previous pricing for lower-capacity models is no longer feasible. The Raspberry Pi 5 2GB will now sell at $77.50, a 19% increase over the previous price. Over its lifetime, the Raspberry Pi 5 2GB has increased by 55% from its original launch MSRP.
The Raspberry Pi 4 2GB is now set to follow in the footsteps of its successor. When the Raspberry Pi 4 2GB was first introduced, it launched at a competitive price of $45, which was later reduced to $35 as memory prices fell. Before the most recent round of price hikes, the single-board computer had reached $55. Following the latest price adjustments, the cost of the Raspberry Pi 4 2GB jumps to $67.50, a 23% increase. In retrospect, users are paying 50% more than the original launch price or a staggering 93% more than the lowest adjusted price, depending on the reference point.
Logically, the highest-memory-capacity models suffered the most across 2026. Models such as the Raspberry Pi 5 16GB, Raspberry Pi 5 8GB, and Raspberry Pi 4 8GB have posted staggering price hikes up to 83%, 63%, and 53%, respectively, compared to their original MSRPs. Raspberry Pi has frozen pricing for the 1GB models at MSRP, but it remains to be seen how much longer the company can sustain this.
If memory is the most expensive component on the Raspberry Pi, one intriguing solution might be for the company to offer a barebones version of the single-board computer. A DIY variant could appeal to hardware enthusiasts with the skills to solder their own memory to the board. Offering an official barebones SKU could alleviate some pricing pressures. However, Raspberry Pi’s most recent firmware updates have effectively ruled out this path by locking devices to their official factory capacities.
Memory prices climb 500% in 12 months, up to 10x the lowest ever tracked prices
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/component-shortages-drive-raspberry-pi-prices-up-by-up-to-23-percent-escalating-lpddr4-lpddr5-costs-trigger-the-third-price-hike-of-the-year#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
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Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.