The Raspberry Pi Foundation has made a strategic shift in its popular Raspberry Pi 4 lineup. To more precisely meet user needs, the company announced the addition of a new variant with 3 GB of RAM. However, the news of this new model was overshadowed by substantial price increases across the rest of the existing versions.
3 GB RAM Option: The New Mid-Range Player
Until now, the Raspberry Pi 4 series was available in 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB RAM configurations. The newly added 3 GB model aims to be the “golden middle” for projects where 2 GB is insufficient but 4 GB feels too costly. The new model shares the same DNA as the rest of the family:
- Processor: Broadcom BCM2711, quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC.
- Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet.
- Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, and 2 x micro-HDMI outputs with 4K support.
Global Supply Chain and the Price Hike Decision
While the excitement for the new model continues, a statement from Raspberry Pi Foundation CEO Eben Upton sent shockwaves through the industry. Due to rising global component costs and logistics expenses, significant price hikes have been applied to all existing versions of the Raspberry Pi 4.
Upton emphasized that the price increases, particularly for the 4 GB and 8 GB models, were inevitable for sustainable production. As of 2026, the ongoing effects of the chip crisis and rising energy costs have pushed one of the most accessible products in the hobby electronics world closer to the luxury segment.
Price Table and Future Expectations
Following the update, the pricing has been restructured as follows:
- 2 GB Model: Reached a new level with a 15% increase.
- 3 GB Model (New): Launched with a price tag positioned exactly between the 2 GB and 4 GB models.
- 4 GB and 8 GB Models: Saw the highest price increases due to severe supply challenges.
Despite the higher prices, the Foundation promises that they have partnered with new factories to increase production capacity and expect stock issues to be completely resolved by the second half of the year. However, it remains to be seen whether user interest will shift toward alternative single-board computers (SBCs) following these hikes.
The arrival of a 3 GB variant is a logical step for specific Linux workloads, but the overall price surge marks a challenging era for DIY enthusiasts. Do you think the 3 GB model fills a genuine gap in your projects, or is the price hike a deal-breaker for your next build? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Would you like me to research current Raspberry Pi 4 availability in Turkish retailers or provide a comparison of the new 3 GB Pi 4 vs. the Orange Pi 5 performance? Let me know!
