# Raspberry Pi 5's 16GB model climbs to $385 as memory shortages reshape edge-compute costs Raspberry Pi raised the 16GB Pi 5's US list price by $80 on November 2, taking it from $305 to $385, while 16GB Compute Module 5 variants rise by $40. The flagship board now costs more than three times its $120 launch price. The latest DRAM-driven increase forces makers, edge deployments and small teams to re-evaluate whether high-RAM single-board computers still offer the right economics. - Status: Active - Published: 2026-11-03T06:36:00+13:00 - Updated: 2026-11-03T06:36:00+13:00 - Categories: Cloud & Infrastructure, Compute & AI Infrastructure - Tags: edge computing, hardware pricing, memory, Raspberry Pi, self-hosting - Canonical HTML: https://beyondthe.news/dossiers/raspberry-pi-5-16gb-385-memory-price-november-2026 ## What changed On November 2, 2026, Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton announced an immediate $80 US list-price increase for the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5, from $305 to $385. The 16GB Compute Module 5 family also increases by $40, with exact prices dependent on configuration. The 16GB Pi 5 launched in January 2025 at $120; its new price is more than three times that amount. Raspberry Pi attributes the increase to limited alternative suppliers for 16GB DRAM alongside other component shortages. The company is holding the 16GB Raspberry Pi 500+ price unchanged for now and says it intends to reverse increases when memory costs fall. ## Why it matters A high-memory Pi is often considered for local inference, edge servers, kiosks, automation, and compact self-hosted systems. At $385 before accessories and local tax, teams should re-run total-cost comparisons against lower-memory boards, older Pis and x86 mini PCs rather than assuming an ARM single-board computer is automatically the cheapest option. This is a specific 16GB memory-density problem, not a blanket price rise for every Raspberry Pi model. ## A $265 increase since launch Raspberry Pi announced the 16GB Pi 5 at $120 in January 2025. After multiple 2026 increases, its price was $305 before the November 2 change; the new $385 list price is $80 higher in one step and $265 above launch, roughly 3.2 times the original. The increase is a manufacturer US list price, not a universal retail price or a claim about all variants. ## Compute Module customers face a different increase The manufacturer says 16GB Compute Module 5 configurations are $40 more expensive. Configuration-specific prices vary; independent reporting places them in a range of roughly $375–$415. Industrial integrators must check their exact module variant, procurement contract and availability rather than treating the Pi 5 board price as their module price. ## Memory density, not processor capability, drives the economics Raspberry Pi cites limited alternatives for high-density DRAM and ongoing component shortages, not a new CPU or feature. It recommends selecting lower-memory variants, using earlier boards where suitable, and optimising application memory. For deployments using 16GB to run local models, databases or multiple containers, reducing memory may impose performance or functionality trade-offs that need measurement. ## Price information may be inconsistent during rollout The official November 2 announcement explicitly states $385, while Raspberry Pi's product landing page still showed $305 when checked on November 3. Buyers should verify the current approved-reseller quotation and the configuration-specific price rather than rely on a stale product-page snippet. Shipping, accessories, taxes and regional pricing add to the total cost. ## Key details - Announced November 2, 2026 by Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton. - 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 manufacturer US list price rises $80, from $305 to $385. - 16GB Pi 5 originally launched at $120 in January 2025; current price is approximately 3.2 times launch. - 16GB Compute Module 5 variants increase by $40; prices vary by module configuration. - Raspberry Pi 500+ 16GB price is unchanged in this specific announcement. - Company cites 16GB DRAM sourcing and component shortages; promises no fixed date for price reversals. - US list prices are not local retail prices, and official product pages may lag the announcement. ## Builder takeaways - Reprice the entire edge/self-hosted system, including storage, PSU, case, cooling, tax and spares, against alternatives. - Profile actual peak RAM use before moving from 16GB to 8GB or lower; test workloads under memory pressure. - Industrial teams should check exact CM5 SKU pricing and longer-term availability with approved resellers. - Do not assume the latest product-page price is authoritative while the manufacturer's dated price announcement is newer. ## What to watch - Whether 16GB DRAM availability improves and Raspberry Pi reverses the price increases. - Price movement for lower-memory Pi variants and competing compact computers. - Regional reseller prices and industrial CM5 procurement lead times. - Changes in memory requirements for local AI and edge applications. ## Uncertainties - No timetable or measurable trigger for reversing the increases has been announced. - Actual retail prices vary by region, reseller and supply availability. - Independent reporting confirms the increase but does not independently verify manufacturer DRAM procurement constraints. - The economic comparison with mini PCs depends on power, peripherals, software and workload. ## Sources - [Price rises for some 16GB Raspberry Pi products](https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/price-rises-for-some-16gb-raspberry-pi-products/) — Raspberry Pi · primary · 2026-11-02T00:00:00+13:00. Official $385 price, $80/$40 changes, scope and supply rationale. - [The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 got another 'unavoidable' RAM price hike](https://www.theverge.com/tech/1024342/raspberry-pi-5-16gb-price-hike-ram) — The Verge · secondary · 2026-11-02T00:00:00+13:00. Independent report confirming new prices, CM5 configuration range and original launch comparison. - [16GB Raspberry Pi 5 on sale now at $120](https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/16gb-raspberry-pi-5-on-sale-now-at-120/) — Raspberry Pi · primary · 2025-01-09T00:00:00+13:00. Original manufacturer launch price and intended high-memory workloads. - [Raspberry Pi 5 product page](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/) — Raspberry Pi · primary documentation · 2026-11-03T00:00:00+13:00. Shows lagging $305 figure at check time; use dated Nov 2 announcement for current list price.