What are the differences between various Raspberry Pi models (e.g., Pi 3, Pi 4, Pi 5, Pi Zero)?
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Raspberry Pi models vary in terms of performance, size, connectivity, and intended use cases. Below is a comparison of some popular Raspberry Pi models: Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi 5, and Raspberry Pi Zero.
1. Raspberry Pi 3
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Release Date: February 2016
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Key Features:
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Processor: Broadcom BCM2837 (Quad-core Cortex-A53, 1.2 GHz).
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RAM: 1 GB (Pi 3 Model B) or 512 MB (Pi 3 Model A+).
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Connectivity:
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Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz).
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Bluetooth 4.1.
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Ethernet (10/100 Mbps).
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Ports:
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4 USB 2.0 ports.
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HDMI output.
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3.5mm audio jack.
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MicroSD card slot.
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GPIO: 40-pin header.
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Power: 5V/2.5A via microUSB.
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Use Cases: General-purpose computing, media center, lightweight server, and IoT projects.
2. Raspberry Pi 4
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Release Date: June 2019
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Key Features:
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Processor: Broadcom BCM2711 (Quad-core Cortex-A72, 1.5 GHz).
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RAM: 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB variants.
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Connectivity:
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Wi-Fi 802.11ac (dual-band, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
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Bluetooth 5.0.
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Gigabit Ethernet (supports full throughput).
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Ports:
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2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports.
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2 micro-HDMI ports (supports dual 4K displays).
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3.5mm audio jack.
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MicroSD card slot.
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GPIO: 40-pin header.
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Power: 5V/3A via USB-C.
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Use Cases: Desktop replacement, gaming, media center, server, and high-performance IoT applications.
3. Raspberry Pi 5
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Release Date: October 2023
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Key Features:
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Processor: Broadcom BCM2712 (Quad-core Cortex-A76, 2.4 GHz).
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RAM: 4 GB or 8 GB variants.
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Connectivity:
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Wi-Fi 802.11ac (dual-band, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
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Bluetooth 5.0.
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Gigabit Ethernet (supports full throughput).
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Ports:
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2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports.
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2 micro-HDMI ports (supports dual 4K displays).
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3.5mm audio jack.
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MicroSD card slot.
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GPIO: 40-pin header.
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Power: 5V/5A via USB-C.
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Use Cases: High-performance desktop computing, gaming, media center, server, and demanding IoT applications.
4. Raspberry Pi Zero
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Release Date: November 2015 (Pi Zero), February 2017 (Pi Zero W), October 2021 (Pi Zero 2 W).
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Key Features:
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Processor:
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Pi Zero: Single-core ARM1176JZF-S (1 GHz).
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Pi Zero W: Same as Pi Zero.
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Pi Zero 2 W: Quad-core Cortex-A53 (1 GHz).
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RAM: 512 MB (Pi Zero and Pi Zero W) or 512 MB (Pi Zero 2 W).
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Connectivity:
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Pi Zero: No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
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Pi Zero W: Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth 4.1.
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Pi Zero 2 W: Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2.
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Ports:
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1 micro-USB port (data).
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1 micro-USB port (power).
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Mini-HDMI port.
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MicroSD card slot.
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GPIO: 40-pin header (unpopulated on Pi Zero, requires soldering).
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Power: 5V/1.2A via microUSB.
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Use Cases: Compact and low-cost projects, embedded systems, portable devices, and lightweight IoT applications.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Raspberry Pi 3 | Raspberry Pi 4 | Raspberry Pi 5 | Raspberry Pi Zero (W/2 W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core Cortex-A53 | Quad-core Cortex-A72 | Quad-core Cortex-A76 | Single-core (Zero/W) or Quad-core (Zero 2 W) Cortex-A53 |
| RAM | 1 GB (Model B) | 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB | 4 GB or 8 GB | 512 MB |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n (2.4 GHz) | 802.11ac (dual-band) | 802.11ac (dual-band) | 802.11n (2.4 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.1 (Zero W) or 4.2 (Zero 2 W) |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps | Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet | None |
| USB Ports | 4 x USB 2.0 | 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0 | 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0 | 1 x micro-USB (data) |
| HDMI | 1 x HDMI | 2 x micro-HDMI | 2 x micro-HDMI | 1 x mini-HDMI |
| GPIO | 40-pin | 40-pin | 40-pin | 40-pin (unpopulated) |
| Power | 5V/2.5A (microUSB) | 5V/3A (USB-C) | 5V/5A (USB-C) | 5V/1.2A (microUSB) |
| Size | Standard (85.6 x 56.5 mm) | Standard (85.6 x 56.5 mm) | Standard (85.6 x 56.5 mm) | Compact (65 x 30 mm) |
| Price | $35 (Model B) | 35(2GB),55 (4 GB), $75 (8 GB) | 60(4GB),80 (8 GB) | 5(PiZero),10 (Pi Zero W), $15 (Pi Zero 2 W) |
Key Differences
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Performance: Pi 5 is the most powerful, followed by Pi 4, Pi 3, and Pi Zero 2 W. The original Pi Zero is the least powerful.
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Connectivity: Pi 5 and Pi 4 offer the best connectivity options, including dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet. Pi Zero W/2 W has limited connectivity compared to Pi 3, Pi 4, and Pi 5.
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Size: Pi Zero is significantly smaller and lighter, making it ideal for compact projects.
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Price: Pi Zero is the most affordable, while Pi 5 (especially the 8 GB variant) is the most expensive.
Choosing the Right Model
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Raspberry Pi 5: Best for high-performance tasks like desktop computing, gaming, or running servers.
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Raspberry Pi 4: Suitable for general-purpose projects and IoT applications where cost is a concern.
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Raspberry Pi 3: Ideal for lightweight projects and IoT applications.
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Raspberry Pi Zero: Perfect for compact, low-power, and cost-sensitive projects like embedded systems or portable devices.