Raspberry Pi increased the price of its 16 GB Raspberry Pi 5 by USD 80, taking the single-board computer to USD 385. The company announced the revision on November 2, 2026, citing a continuing shortage of 16 GB DRAM and broader pressure across the component supply chain.
The move marks the third price increase for the 16 GB model in 2026. It now costs more than three times its original launch price of USD 120, set during the device debut in January 2025.
Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton said the company faced difficulty sourcing 16 GB memory chips. He added that shortages of other components have made the situation worse, leaving the company with limited room to absorb higher input costs.
The company does not have an alternative supplier for the 16 GB DRAM used in the Raspberry Pi 5. Raspberry Pi described the increase as unavoidable but temporary. Upton further added the company expects to reduce prices if memory costs ease and supply conditions improve. This exposed the product to major fluctuations in memory pricing, which have intensified across the global electronics industry.
The price revision extends beyond the flagship board. Raspberry Pi raised prices for several 16 GB Compute Module 5 variants by USD 40. The Raspberry Pi 500+, a keyboard-based computer with 16 GB of RAM, is priced at USD 410.
Many basic projects, such as home automation, sensor applications, and simple media systems, do not require 16 GB of RAM. The higher price could shift students and small businesses toward lower-memory boards.
Buyers with heavier workloads may compare the Pi 5 against mini PCs before committing to the higher price. For simpler projects, users may consider microcontrollers such as the Raspberry Pi Pico and ESP32 instead.
Also Read: Quectel vs Telit: Wireless Chip Rivals Clash in US Court Over Security Claims