Raspberry Pi 5 release date, price, and specs
The Raspberry Pi-pe dream has been realized
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It would seem that the electronic hobbyists of the world are thirsting for the Raspberry Pi 5 release date. This makes sense, as it’s been more than 4 years since the previous version was released, meaning that we are overdue an update to the open-source mini-computer line-up. Given the feverish anxiety with which the community lusts after a new one, we thought we’d go over the details.
So, we’re going to talk about the Raspberry Pi 5 release date, the specs, the pricing, and any other details we can get our grubby little PC hobbyist hands-on. Remember, the Raspberry Pi 4 has been around for a while but can be hard to track down. Check out our dedicated where to buy a Raspberry Pi 4 page for all the information you need before you make your purchase.
Raspberry Pi 5 release date – Raspberry Pi 5 is out now
The good news is that the Raspberry Pi 5 release date is here. With Raspberry Pi 5 pre orders already going live, it’s an exciting time for anyone looking to get their hands on the latest edition of the popular Raspi single-board computer (SBC). As we can see from this Raspberry Pi 5 introduction, the device was slated be coming at the end of October, and it’s now official – Raspberry Pi 5 was released on October 23rd, 2023. This was confirmed by this post on the official Raspberry Pi website.
There are two variants being released at this time – the 4GB variant and the 8GB variant. Although no specific date was previously announced other that the ‘end of October’, it’s now officially out, so many enthusiasts who’ve already pre-ordered will be getting their Pi 5 soon.
Rasberry Pi release date history
If we cast our minds back to the previous versions of the Raspberry Pi, a release date pattern does not emerge, as there have been differing periods of time between releases:
- Raspberry Pi release date: 2012
- Raspberry Pi 2 release date: 2015
- Raspberry Pi 3 release date: 2016
- Raspberry Pi 4 release date: 2019
So, no pattern is obvious here. There have been small updates and revisions between these releases, however, we’re just talking about the mainline products today. As you can see, there’s yet to be a gap between releases larger than 3 years. There is a reason behind the delay, though. When the pandemic hit in 2020, and the global chip shortage arrived, many tech companies, including the Raspberry Pi Foundation were hit by a lack of market demand. Now that the economy is (somewhat) improving, so too is the demand for the Raspberry Pi – and we saw the release of the Raspberry Pi 4A model, a micro version of the Raspberry Pi 4.
Eben Upton (Raspberry Pi’s CEO) previously mentioned in an interview in December 2022 that following these disruptions, we shouldn’t expect the Pi 5 during 2023 – adding that it’s “a recovery year” for the team. Luckily we’ve seen it launch during Q4 2023, seemingly exceeding their own expectations.
Raspberry Pi 5 specs announced
We can finally toss all of the speculation and rumors into the trash. With the Raspi 5 now officially launched, the specifications and technical details came along with it. Check out the table below for the details:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| SoC / Processor | Broadcom BCM2712 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 |
| GPU | VideoCore VII, supports OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2 |
| Cache | 512KB per-core L2 caches, 2MB shared L3 cache |
| RAM | LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM (4GB, 8GB) |
| Output | Dual 4Kp60 HDMI display output, 4Kp60 HEVC decoder |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 / BLE, Gigabit Ethernet with PoE+ support |
| USB | 2x USB 3.0 / 2x USB 2.0 |
| PCIe | PCIe 2.0 x1 interface |
| Power button | Yes |
Prior to the big announcement, here are some things which were generally expected – interesting to see which ones did and didn’t make the cut.
- Better heatsinks/better cooling
- Full HDMI 2.1 ports
- 2.0GHz clock speed processor
- Onboard storage options
- Windows support
Raspberry Pi 5 price
The details are in. Since the Raspberry Pi 4 desktop kit currently retails for $120, we expected that the Raspberry Pi 5 price could be even higher – especially given the rising cost of materials. No need to guess anymore though, as the pricing is here:
- Raspberry Pi 5 8GB price: $80
- Raspberry Pi 5 4GB price: $60
A 25% increase in price when jumping up from 4GB to 8GB memory, doesn’t seem too bad to us. Of course there will be resellers producing a starter-kit package or a desktop kit which will exceed the base price of the Pi 5 itself, so we’ll have to see how that pans out in the near future.
Is there going to be a Raspberry Pi 5?
Yes – we now know that the Raspberry Pi 5 is a reality. Prior to the launch, Eben Upton, CEO of Raspberry Pi, made some mentions about the Raspberry Pi 5 in passing but never really went into any specifics.
Raspberry Pi alternatives were becoming more popular as we waited for the newest edition of the Pi, so re-joining the market right now might prove to blow everything else out of the water. That being said, have alternatives is something you can never complain about.
What is a Raspberry Pi?
A Raspberry Pi is a small single-board computer developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It is designed to promote computer science education and programming skills in schools and developing countries. The device is about the size of a credit card and is powered by a micro USB port.
The Raspberry Pi can be used for a variety of purposes, such as learning to code, creating media centers, building robots, and more. It runs on a Linux-based operating system and has several input and output options, including HDMI, USB, and Ethernet ports.
It is also equipped with GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins, which allow users to connect and control external hardware devices. The Raspberry Pi has become popular among hobbyists and makers, as it provides an affordable and versatile platform for various projects.
What can I use the Raspberry Pi for?
The Raspberry Pi can be used for a multitude of things, and the upcoming Pi 5 will enable you to do it all more efficiently, while opening up additional possibilities. Here’s a quick list of some the best uses for the humble Raspi.
- Media center or live streaming / video playback
- Game emulation
- Robotics
- Game server or web server
- Camera
- Radio station
- Bot for social media or AI project
- Home security
Essentially, the uses are pretty endless if you’re within the realm of computing. It is a super portable PC with plenty of connections. Full-sized HDMI ports and a slot for your MicroSD card are among some of the basics.
It’s also compatible with a number of OS (operating systems) – with the main one for desktop use being the official Raspberry Pi OS. For servers though, DietPi is a popular choice, Batocera for gaming, and LibreElec if you want to create a media center. These are all Linux-based.
Raspberry Pi 5 release date FAQs
What’s the difference between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5?
We can see that previous Raspi generations focused on improving the system-on-a-chip processor/graphics, memory size, and additional features such as ethernet & wireless support, we see something similar now – be sure to check out our full Raspberry Pi 5 vs Pi 4 comparison page.
Is the Raspberry Pi 5 worth buying?
The Raspberry Pi 5 represents a step up in generation which offers excellent specs and compatibility over its predecessor, becoming even more of a powerful yet compact solution – definitely worth buying if you’re interested in single board computers.
