The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 now costs $385 after an $80 price increase, marking the latest in a series of price rises linked to an ongoing RAM shortage. The configuration originally launched at $120, meaning its current price is more than three times higher.
The 16GB versions of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 have also become more expensive, with a $40 increase taking their prices to between $375 and $415.
Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton attributed the latest changes specifically to the lack of alternative supply for 16GB DRAM, alongside shortages affecting other components. He described the increases as unavoidable but acknowledged that they would be unwelcome for customers.
Upton advised buyers to consider whether they need 16GB of memory and suggested choosing a model with less RAM or an older Raspberry Pi instead. Other Raspberry Pi 5 configurations have also seen price increases, including the 2GB version, whose price rose last month.
At $385, the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 is approaching the price of a desktop mini PC. Upton said Raspberry Pi still intends to reverse the increases when memory costs fall, describing the current market conditions as difficult but temporary.
Sources: The Verge.