The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 got another ‘unavoidable’ RAM price hike

The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 now costs $385, making it a less accessible option for hobbyists and developers.

The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 now costs $385, an $80 increase driven by a shortage of 16GB DRAM and other components. This model originally launched at $120, meaning its price has more than tripled. The 16GB Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 also saw a $40 price increase, now ranging from $375 to $415. Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton cited a lack of alternative supply for the specific 16GB DRAM as the primary cause, acknowledging the unwelcome nature of the price hikes for customers. He advised users to consider less memory-intensive configurations or older Raspberry Pi models to mitigate costs, noting that other Raspberry Pi 5 models, including the 2GB version, have also experienced price increases.

The substantial price increase for the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 highlights the acute global shortage and rising costs of DRAM components. This situation directly impacts the affordability and availability of single-board computers, pushing even enthusiast-grade hardware towards the price point of entry-level desktop systems. Companies like Raspberry Pi are forced to pass these increased costs onto consumers, a move that could slow adoption in education and DIY projects.

The ongoing component shortages, particularly for specialized DRAM, indicate persistent supply chain vulnerabilities that extend beyond the consumer electronics sector. For manufacturers, this necessitates strategies such as exploring alternative component sourcing, redesigning products for more readily available parts, or accepting reduced margins. Customers, in turn, face difficult choices between paying premium prices for desired configurations or downgrading their hardware specifications.