The 16GB versions of the Compute Module 5 also saw a $40 increase, now priced between $375 and $415. Other Raspberry Pi 5 configurations have also risen, with the 2GB model receiving a price hike last month. At $385, the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 is nearing the price of a desktop mini PC. Upton said the hikes were driven by a lack of "alternative supply" for 16GB DRAM combined with other component shortages. "Though these increases are unavoidable, we know they are unwelcome news for our customers," Upton said. "We encourage you to make sure you're not paying for more memory than you need." He reiterated the company's plans to reverse the increases once memory costs fall.
Raspberry Pi 5 16GB price more than triples amid RAM shortage
CEO says hikes unavoidable, recommends buying less memory
The 16GB version of the Raspberry Pi 5 now costs $385 after an $80 price hike, more than triple its $120 launch price, as ongoing RAM shortages drive up costs. Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton described the increase as unavoidable and urged customers to consider models with less memory.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Raspberry Pi is a staple for hobbyists, educators, and tinkerers; a near threefold price jump prices many out of the top model.
- It reflects the broader impact of memory component shortages on consumer electronics.
- CEO promises reversal, but no timeline given, so uncertainty remains.
Background
Raspberry Pi is a UK-based manufacturer of low-cost single-board computers used in education, hobbyist projects, and light computing. The Pi 5 launched with a 16GB variant at $120, but memory shortages have driven repeated price increases.
What to Watch
- Whether memory prices stabilise and Raspberry Pi follows through on reversing the hikes.
- Whether customers shift to lower-memory models or older Pi boards as Upton suggested.
Sources
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Raspberry Pi 5 16GB price has more than tripled amid a RAM shortage.The Verge: “The Raspberry Pi 5 with 16GB of RAM now costs $385 after an $80 price hike, the latest in a string of increases driven by the ongoing RAM shortage. This configuration launched at $120 and now costs more than triple that price.”
- SupportedThe 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 now costs $385 after an $80 increase, up from its $120 launch price.The Verge: “The Raspberry Pi 5 with 16GB of RAM now costs $385 after an $80 price hike, the latest in a string of increases driven by the ongoing RAM shortage. This configuration launched at $120”
- SupportedOngoing RAM shortages are driving up Raspberry Pi prices.The Verge: “the latest in a string of increases driven by the ongoing RAM shortage.”
- SupportedCEO Eben Upton called the hikes unavoidable and urged customers to consider using less memory.The Verge: “Upton says, “Though these increases are unavoidable, we know they are unwelcome news for our customers. We encourage you to make sure you’re not paying for more memory than you need.” Upton suggested using Pis with less memory or older Pi models as alternatives”
- SupportedThe 16GB Compute Module 5 versions rose by $40 and now cost between $375 and $415.The Verge: “The 16GB versions of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 also got a $40 price hike and now cost between $375 and $415.”
- SupportedThe 2GB Raspberry Pi 5 received a price hike last month.The Verge: “the 2GB version got a price hike last month.”
- SupportedAt $385, the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 is nearing the price of a desktop mini PC.The Verge: “At $385, the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 is nearing the price of a desktop mini PC.”
- SupportedUpton said the hikes were driven by a lack of alternative supply for 16GB DRAM and shortages of other components.The Verge: “According to Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton, these price hikes were driven specifically by a lack of “alternative supply” for 16GB DRAM, on top of shortages for other components.”
- SupportedUpton said, “Though these increases are unavoidable, we know they are unwelcome news for our customers.”The Verge: “Upton says, “Though these increases are unavoidable, we know they are unwelcome news for our customers. We encourage you to make sure you’re not paying for more memory than you need.””
- SupportedUpton said, “We encourage you to make sure you're not paying for more memory than you need.”The Verge: “We encourage you to make sure you’re not paying for more memory than you need.”
- SupportedUpton reiterated the company's plans to reverse the price increases when memory costs fall.The Verge: “Upton reiterated the company’s plans to reverse the price hikes, saying, “the current memory landscape is difficult but ultimately temporary, and we look forward to rolling back our price increases when memory costs fall once again.””