Raspberry Pi Raises Prices Again as Global RAM Shortage Continues to Bite

The 16GB Pi 5 jumps by 100 dollars with increases of up to 150 dollars across the lineup in the third round of hikes since December

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By LineZotpaper

Published2 April 2026

Read Time2 min

Raspberry Pi is raising prices on over a dozen of its single-board computers for the third time since December, driven by an ongoing global RAM shortage. The most dramatic increase hits the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5, which jumps by 100 dollars from its original 120 dollar price tag. Across the lineup, increases range from 11.25 dollars to 150 dollars.

In a blog post announcing the changes, Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton reiterated that the price increases are not permanent. He stated that the circumstances are challenging but will eventually abate, and when they do, the company will reverse its price increases.

The RAM shortage has been squeezing electronics manufacturers for months, and Raspberry Pi's relatively small purchasing volume compared to major smartphone and laptop makers leaves it more exposed to component price swings. Previous rounds of increases in December and February had already raised concerns among the hobbyist and education communities that rely on affordable Pi hardware.

The company also announced a new 3GB variant of the Raspberry Pi 4, priced at 83.75 dollars, offering a middle ground between the existing 2GB and 4GB models.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Raspberry Pi devices are foundational to the maker, education, and industrial IoT communities. Three rounds of price hikes in four months signals a serious and sustained supply chain problem that is reshaping the economics of small-scale computing.

Background

Global DRAM prices have been climbing due to AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth memory in data centers, which has cascading effects on consumer and embedded RAM availability.

Key Perspectives

Upton's commitment to reversing prices when conditions improve is reassuring, but the timeline remains unclear. Hobbyists and educators may increasingly look at alternatives like Orange Pi or used hardware.

What to Watch

Whether the RAM shortage eases in the second half of 2026 as new fabrication capacity comes online, and whether competitors capitalize on Pi's pricing vulnerability.

Sources

These Raspberry Pi price hikes are no joke