The Evolution of Raspberry Pi: A Comprehensive Guide to All Models (2012-2025)

Ben
Ben
@benjislab

The Raspberry Pi has revolutionized the world of computing since its introduction in 2012, making powerful, affordable computing accessible to hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike. This article explores the complete evolution of the Raspberry Pi family, from the original model to the latest Raspberry Pi 5.

Original Raspberry Pi (Model B)

Release Date: February 2012
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2835 (ARM11 core, 700 MHz)
  • RAM: 256 MB (later upgraded to 512 MB)
  • USB Ports: 2
  • Ethernet: 100 Mbps
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite
  • Storage: SD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 26
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $35

The original Raspberry Pi, also known as the Model B, marked the beginning of the Raspberry Pi journey. This credit card-sized computer was primarily designed to promote computer science education in schools.

Raspberry Pi Model A

Release Date: February 2013
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2835 (ARM11 core, 700 MHz)
  • RAM: 256 MB
  • USB Ports: 1
  • Ethernet: None
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite
  • Storage: SD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 26
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $25

The Model A was a simplified, lower-cost version of the original Model B, featuring less RAM and fewer connectivity options.

Raspberry Pi Model B+

Release Date: July 2014
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2835 (ARM11 core, 700 MHz)
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • USB Ports: 4
  • Ethernet: 100 Mbps
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite (via 3.5mm jack)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $35

The Model B+ introduced several improvements over the original Model B, including more USB ports, improved power management, and an expanded GPIO header.

Raspberry Pi Model A+

Release Date: November 2014
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2835 (ARM11 core, 700 MHz)
  • RAM: 256 MB
  • USB Ports: 1
  • Ethernet: None
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite (via 3.5mm jack)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $20

The Model A+ was a smaller, more power-efficient version of the Model A with the improved form factor of the B+.

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B

Release Date: February 2015
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2836 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7, 900 MHz)
  • RAM: 1 GB
  • USB Ports: 4
  • Ethernet: 100 Mbps
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite (via 3.5mm jack)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $35

The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B delivered a significant performance boost with its quad-core processor and increased RAM, making it suitable for more demanding applications.

Raspberry Pi Zero

Release Date: November 2015
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2835 (ARM11 core, 1 GHz)
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • USB Ports: 1 (Micro USB)
  • Ethernet: None
  • Video Outputs: Mini HDMI
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40 (unpopulated)
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $5

The Raspberry Pi Zero was designed to be ultra-affordable and compact, about half the size of the Model A+ but still capable of running full Linux distributions.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Release Date: February 2016
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2837 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.2 GHz)
  • RAM: 1 GB
  • USB Ports: 4
  • Ethernet: 100 Mbps
  • Wireless: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.1
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite (via 3.5mm jack)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $35

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B added built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, while further improving performance with a 64-bit processor.

Raspberry Pi Zero W

Release Date: February 2017
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2835 (ARM11 core, 1 GHz)
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • USB Ports: 1 (Micro USB)
  • Ethernet: None
  • Wireless: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.1
  • Video Outputs: Mini HDMI
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40 (unpopulated)
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $10

The Raspberry Pi Zero W added Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the ultra-compact Zero form factor, making it ideal for IoT projects.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+

Release Date: March 2018
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2837B0 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.4 GHz)
  • RAM: 1 GB
  • USB Ports: 4
  • Ethernet: 300 Mbps
  • Wireless: Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite (via 3.5mm jack)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $35

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ featured improved networking capabilities with faster Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi, along with a slight CPU speed boost.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+

Release Date: November 2018
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2837B0 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.4 GHz)
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • USB Ports: 1
  • Ethernet: None
  • Wireless: Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2
  • Video Outputs: HDMI, Composite (via 3.5mm jack)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $25

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ combined the processing power of the 3B+ with a smaller form factor and reduced connectivity, at a lower price point.

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Release Date: June 2019
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2711 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72, 1.5 GHz)
  • RAM: 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB (8 GB option added May 2020)
  • USB Ports: 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × USB 2.0
  • Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless: Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0
  • Video Outputs: 2 × micro HDMI (supporting 4K@60Hz)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via USB-C
  • Price: $35 (1 GB), $45 (2 GB), $55 (4 GB), $75 (8 GB)

The Raspberry Pi 4 represented a major leap forward with significantly improved performance, USB 3.0 support, dual 4K display capability, and options for increased RAM.

Raspberry Pi 400

Release Date: November 2020
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2711 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72, 1.8 GHz)
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • USB Ports: 3 × USB 3.0, 1 × USB 2.0
  • Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless: Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0
  • Video Outputs: 2 × micro HDMI (supporting 4K@60Hz)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40-pin header accessible via rear I/O connector
  • Power: 5V via USB-C
  • Price: $70 (keyboard only), $100 (complete kit)

The Raspberry Pi 400 integrated a Raspberry Pi 4 into a compact keyboard, creating an all-in-one personal computer reminiscent of the home computers of the 1980s.

Raspberry Pi Pico

Release Date: January 2021
Specifications:

  • Microcontroller: RP2040 (Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+, 133 MHz)
  • RAM: 264 KB
  • Flash Memory: 2 MB
  • GPIO Pins: 26
  • USB: 1 × Micro USB
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB or direct pin connection
  • Price: $4

The Raspberry Pi Pico marked a departure from the traditional Pi offerings, being a microcontroller board rather than a full computer. Based on the Raspberry Pi Foundation's custom RP2040 chip, it targets microcontroller applications.

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

Release Date: October 2021
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2710A1 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1 GHz)
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • USB Ports: 1 (Micro USB)
  • Ethernet: None
  • Wireless: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.2
  • Video Outputs: Mini HDMI
  • Storage: MicroSD Card
  • GPIO Pins: 40 (unpopulated)
  • Power: 5V via Micro USB
  • Price: $15

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W upgraded the processing power of the Zero line with a quad-core processor, delivering up to 5x the performance of the original Zero W while maintaining the same compact form factor.

Raspberry Pi 5

Release Date: October 2023
Specifications:

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2712 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A76, 2.4 GHz)
  • GPU: VideoCore VII
  • RAM: 4 GB or 8 GB LPDDR4X-4267
  • USB Ports: 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × USB 2.0
  • Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless: Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0
  • Video Outputs: 2 × micro HDMI (supporting up to 4K@60Hz)
  • Storage: MicroSD Card, optional NVMe SSD via PCIe interface
  • GPIO Pins: 40
  • Power: 5V via USB-C (up to 5A supported)
  • PCIe: 1 × PCIe 2.0 x1 connector
  • Real-Time Clock: Onboard, with optional battery connector
  • Price: $60 (4 GB), $80 (8 GB)

The Raspberry Pi 5 represents the most significant performance improvement in the history of the platform, with a 2-3x increase in CPU performance compared to the Raspberry Pi 4. Key innovations include:

  • First Raspberry Pi with PCIe connectivity, enabling NVMe SSD support
  • Dedicated RP1 I/O controller chip
  • Power button
  • Real-time clock with optional battery backup
  • Improved thermal design
  • Dual 4-lane MIPI camera/display transceivers
  • Support for USB 3.0 on all four ports (with powered hub)

Raspberry Pi Models Comparison

Model Release Date CPU RAM Wi-Fi Bluetooth USB Ethernet HDMI Price
Pi 1 Model B Feb 2012 700 MHz Single-core 256/512 MB No No 2 × 2.0 100 Mbps 1 × Full $35
Pi 1 Model A Feb 2013 700 MHz Single-core 256 MB No No 1 × 2.0 No 1 × Full $25
Pi 1 Model B+ Jul 2014 700 MHz Single-core 512 MB No No 4 × 2.0 100 Mbps 1 × Full $35
Pi 1 Model A+ Nov 2014 700 MHz Single-core 256 MB No No 1 × 2.0 No 1 × Full $20
Pi 2 Model B Feb 2015 900 MHz Quad-core 1 GB No No 4 × 2.0 100 Mbps 1 × Full $35
Pi Zero Nov 2015 1 GHz Single-core 512 MB No No 1 × Micro No 1 × Mini $5
Pi 3 Model B Feb 2016 1.2 GHz Quad-core 1 GB 2.4 GHz 4.1 4 × 2.0 100 Mbps 1 × Full $35
Pi Zero W Feb 2017 1 GHz Single-core 512 MB 2.4 GHz 4.1 1 × Micro No 1 × Mini $10
Pi 3 Model B+ Mar 2018 1.4 GHz Quad-core 1 GB 2.4/5 GHz 4.2 4 × 2.0 300 Mbps 1 × Full $35
Pi 3 Model A+ Nov 2018 1.4 GHz Quad-core 512 MB 2.4/5 GHz 4.2 1 × 2.0 No 1 × Full $25
Pi 4 Model B Jun 2019 1.5 GHz Quad-core 1/2/4/8 GB 2.4/5 GHz 5.0 2 × 3.0, 2 × 2.0 Gigabit 2 × Micro $35-75
Pi 400 Nov 2020 1.8 GHz Quad-core 4 GB 2.4/5 GHz 5.0 3 × 3.0, 1 × 2.0 Gigabit 2 × Micro $70
Pi Pico Jan 2021 133 MHz Dual-core 264 KB No No 1 × Micro No No $4
Pi Zero 2 W Oct 2021 1 GHz Quad-core 512 MB 2.4 GHz 4.2 1 × Micro No 1 × Mini $15
Pi 5 Oct 2023 2.4 GHz Quad-core 4/8 GB 2.4/5 GHz 5.0 2 × 3.0, 2 × 2.0 Gigabit 2 × Micro $60-80

Key Use Cases for Raspberry Pi

Education

The Raspberry Pi was originally designed for educational purposes, helping students learn programming, electronics, and computer science. The affordable price point makes it accessible to schools and educational institutions worldwide.

Home Automation

Raspberry Pi devices serve as excellent hubs for home automation systems, controlling smart home devices, monitoring systems, and serving as media centers.

IoT Applications

The smaller models like the Zero W and Pico are perfect for Internet of Things (IoT) projects, offering connectivity in a compact, power-efficient package.

Retro Gaming

Many enthusiasts use Raspberry Pi computers to create retro gaming consoles, running emulators for classic gaming systems.

Industrial Applications

The Raspberry Pi's reliability and flexible I/O capabilities have led to its adoption in industrial automation, monitoring systems, and digital signage.

Scientific Research

Raspberry Pi devices are used in research environments for data collection, experiment control, and as affordable computing nodes.

Conclusion

From its humble beginnings as an educational tool to its current status as a versatile computing platform, the Raspberry Pi has come a long way. The latest Raspberry Pi 5 represents a significant leap forward in performance, while maintaining compatibility with the vast ecosystem of software and hardware that has grown around the platform.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation continues to balance performance improvements with affordability, ensuring that computing technology remains accessible to all. Whether you're a student learning to code, a hobbyist building a smart home system, or a professional developing an industrial prototype, there's a Raspberry Pi model suited to your needs.

As the platform continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more powerful and specialized versions in the future, further expanding the possibilities of what can be achieved with these remarkable credit card-sized computers.