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Yes—the 3GB Raspberry Pi 4 is real. Raspberry Pi announced it on April 1, 2026, at a US price of $83.75. The same announcement raised prices on higher-memory Pi 4 and Pi 5 models; Liliputing reported the Pi 5 16GB at $305 after a $100 increase. That $305 figure was an April announcement-era price, not a current retailer quote.
Was the 3GB Raspberry Pi 4 an April Fools’ joke?
No. Raspberry Pi announced the 3GB Raspberry Pi 4 Model B on April 1, 2026, but explicitly addressed the date: “Notwithstanding today’s date, our new computer is as real as the rest of our products.” The company said it could be ordered from approved resellers around the world. Raspberry Pi’s announcement is the primary source for the launch and its wording.
How much did the 3GB Pi 4 and other models cost in the April announcement?
Raspberry Pi announced the 3GB Pi 4 at $83.75. The table below pairs that figure with April prices for other higher-memory Pi 4 and Pi 5 configurations reported by Liliputing. These are US announcement-era prices, not a guarantee of current retail price or stock; they are not stated as tax-inclusive or international prices.
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| Model | April 2026 announced or reported price | What the source establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, 3GB | $83.75 | Raspberry Pi announced this price on April 1, 2026. |
| Raspberry Pi 4, 4GB | $100 | April resulting price reported by Liliputing. |
| Raspberry Pi 4, 8GB | $165 | April resulting price reported by Liliputing. |
| Raspberry Pi 5, 4GB | $110 | April resulting price reported by Liliputing. |
| Raspberry Pi 5, 8GB | $175 | April resulting price reported by Liliputing. |
| Raspberry Pi 5, 16GB | $305 | April resulting price reported by Liliputing after the $100 increase announced by Raspberry Pi. |
Raspberry Pi announced increases of $25 for 4GB models, $50 for 8GB models, and $100 for the Pi 5 16GB. The company’s post covers more than these boards: it also lists Raspberry Pi 500 and 500+, Compute Module 4/4S/5, the CM5 Development Kit, and AI HAT+ 2. For the resulting Pi 4 and Pi 5 prices above, see Liliputing’s April price report.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 16GB with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (16GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
Why was the Raspberry Pi 5 16GB reported at $305?
The $305 figure combines the Pi 5 16GB’s previously reported $205 price with Raspberry Pi’s announced $100 increase. Liliputing described the new price as $305 and compared it with the model’s $120 launch price. That comparison shows how sharply the reported price had moved since launch; it does not establish what a particular seller charges now.
Raspberry Pi attributed the April changes to memory costs: it said LPDDR4 DRAM used by Pi 4 and Pi 5 had become seven times more expensive over the preceding year. In a February 2026 post, the company had also cited competition for memory-fabrication capacity from AI infrastructure and said some component costs had more than doubled over the prior quarter. These are Raspberry Pi’s explanations, not an independently established account of global memory pricing. See its April 1 announcement and February announcement.
Rank #2
- iRasptek Performance Kit: Featuring a cutting-edge 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, this iRasptek Pi 5 kit offers multitasking capabilities. Ideal for projects such as AI applications, virtualization, software development, and 4K media playback. The Cortex-A76 quad-core processor with 2.4GHz clock speed ensures smooth and efficient operation.
- Pre-installed with 64-bit the latest version OS: Just Plug & Play! The latest release OS（ Bookworm） is optimized for the Pi5, offering exceptional desktop performance for work, leisure, enterprise, and beyond.
- High power transmission: iRasptek 27W USB-C Power Supply is an ideal power supply for Pi 5, especially for users who wish to drive high-power peripherals such as hard drives and SSDs from Pi5's four Type A USB ports. Additional built-in power profiles mean iRasptek 27W USB-C Power Supply is also an excellent option for powering third-party PD-compatible products. The available profiles are 9V, 3A; 12V, 2.25A; and 15V, 1.8A, all limited to a maximum of 27W.
- High-Quality Metal Case: metal case made of high-quality aluminum alloy, with good durability and strength, the upper cover is fixed by the screws, the base of the motherboard by four screws articulation, can effectively absorb external shocks and vibrations, provides double insurance, the case is equipped with a transparent power button, you can easily observe the status of the Pi5 power indicator.
- iRasptek Active Cooler: The active cooler is composed of anodized heat-conducting aluminum with a PWM fan, which has excellent thermal conductivity and is able to quickly conduct heat away from the Pi5 motherboard, effectively lowering the temperature and maintaining a stable operating temperature.
The company framed the 3GB model as an additional memory-density choice: buyers who do not need 4GB may be able to choose less capacity rather than pay for more than their project requires. Since the 3GB and 4GB boards are different capacities and prices can change, compare current regional prices and availability before deciding that one is the cheaper purchase.
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Raspberry Pi’s later update, dated October 1, 2026, raised the announced prices of the 2GB Pi 4 and Pi 5 by $12.50 each. It did not announce another increase for the 16GB Pi 5.
Rank #3
- Welcome to the latest generation of Pi 5: the everything computer. Featuring a 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, RPi 5 delivers a 2–3× increase in CPU performance relative to Pi 4. Alongside a substantial uplift in graphics performance from an 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU; dual 4Kp60 display output over HD; and state-of-the-art camera support from a rearchitected RPi Image Signal Processor, it provides a smooth desktop experience for consumers, and opens the door to new applications for industrial customers.
- Pre-installed with 64-bit RPi OS: Just Plug & Play! The latest release of Pi OS is optimized for the Pi 5, offering exceptional desktop performance for work, leisure, enterprise, and beyond.
- iRasptek 27W USB-C Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 5: The iRasptek 27W USB-C power supply features a multi-protection design that is ideal for stabilizing the power supply and providing long-lasting durability for the Pi 5. Utilizing a high carrying capacity and high transmission UL2725 17AWG pure copper 3-core cable, it provides excellent power to the Pi 5's four Type A USB ports driving high power peripherals such as hard disks and SSDs.
- High-Quality Metal Case: Pi 5 metal case made of high-quality aluminum alloy, with good durability and strength, the upper cover is fixed by the screws, the base of the motherboard by four screws articulation, can effectively absorb external shocks and vibrations, to the Pi 5 provides double insurance, the case is equipped with a transparent power button, you can easily observe the status of the Pi 5 power indicator.
- iRasptek Active Cooler: The active cooler is composed of anodized heat-conducting aluminum with a PWM fan, which has excellent thermal conductivity and is able to quickly conduct heat away from the Pi 5 motherboard, effectively lowering the temperature and maintaining a stable operating temperature.
| Model | Announced October 1, 2026 price | Change stated by Raspberry Pi |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4, 2GB | $67.50 | Increase of $12.50. |
| Raspberry Pi 5, 2GB | $77.50 | Increase of $12.50. |
The company said the 2GB prices had been held steady in April, but that this was no longer sustainable. It also said Pi 4 and Pi 5 1GB variants and 2GB CM4/CM5 variants were unchanged in that update. The October figures are announced US prices, not verified current transaction prices. Read Raspberry Pi’s October update for the full statement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Raspberry Pi has enough RAM for your project?
Choose based on the workload rather than buying the largest memory option by default. Raspberry Pi’s October guidance is to match the product to requirements and avoid paying for headroom you do not need. The price announcements alone do not establish performance differences or whether a particular board is compatible with your project.
Quick Recap
- Start with the software and workload. Check the memory requirements of the operating system, applications, and services you plan to run, including whether they will run together.
- Allow only for realistic headroom. If your workload needs more memory than the smallest suitable option provides, compare the next capacity against the cost and the likely benefit. Do not assume extra RAM will improve a workload that does not use it.
- Compare the board generation as well as RAM. Pi 4 and Pi 5 are distinct models; capacity and announcement prices alone are not enough to rank their performance or suitability.
- Consider an older board when it meets the need. Raspberry Pi’s October post suggests considering Pi 3-series boards for projects they can satisfy.
- Check the seller and today’s local price. Raspberry Pi says approved resellers abide by published maximum prices and warns that unauthorized vendors may charge inflated prices or supply products that are not what they seem. Verify seller identity, regional price, and stock before buying; no current retailer inventory is established by the announcement figures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
