News about Raspberry Pi 6 and Microcontroller Development - Jeff GeerlingJeff GeerlingYouTube
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RSSNews about Raspberry Pi 6 and Microcontroller DevelopmentMay 22, 2026On Thursday, three of the lead Raspberry Pi engineers hosted an AMA on the r/engineering subreddit.Raspberry Pi 6One of the most interesting tidbits was on the Pi 6.Looking back at previous launches:2012: Raspberry Pi2015: Raspberry Pi 2 (+3 years)2016: Raspberry Pi 3 (+1 year)2019: Raspberry Pi 4 (+3 years)2023: Raspberry Pi 5 (+4 years)Following that cycle, one would expect a Pi 6 3-4 years after the Pi 5, which would put it in 2026 or 2027.My guess is Pi 6 development is already pretty far along... but there's that pesky global DRAM shortage that makes this a bad time to launch a new computer. There's no sense in releasing an SBC that costs twice as much as the $50 Pi 5.Eben stretched the timeline a bit to 4-4.5 years, and indicated a Pi 6 wouldn't come before early 2028... which means the Pi 5 will remain Pi's flagship for a while.And if you're expecting a built-in M.2 slot or more ports, I'd temper your expectations: It sounds like the key feature will be 'more': a faster CPU and faster IO, rather than new features.And instead of wasting precious silicon with an NPU, Eben said they see the "CPU as a venue for AI compute." So I don't expect any specific AI chip on the Pi 6.Pi Zero 2W and 3When asked about the Pi Zero 2W, Eben said the substrate supply is constrained—basically, so many AI chips are being made that even older chips using older process nodes have to fight for the actual silicon wafers to use to make the chips.They're bringing up a new vendor to help with capacity, so the current Pi Zero 2 W shortage should be temporary.It doesn't sound like a Pi Zero 3 is on the horizon yet, for two reasons:They need to give up on the single-sided PCB, which adds a little cost, because the chips they have that stack a RAM die on top of the CPU to save board space might not work with faster CPUs.Newer LPDDR RAM is way too expensive for the $15 Zero price point right now.The reason the Pi Zero 2 W can still hit its price point—at least when it's in stock—is its use of old LPDDR2 RAM, of which Raspberry Pi apparently has a stockpile.When someone mentioned the Pi 3B as a lower-cost alternative to the Pi 4 and Pi 5, Eben said it's still a popular model, "selling nearly a million units a year." That, despite being released over a decade ago.Microcontrollers (MCUs)James Adams said power and security were more challenging than expected, developing the RP2350 microcontroller. But their efforts seemed to have paid off, especially after a new 'stepping', or silicon revision, which fixed a current leakage bug.When asked about why Picos use micro USB and not USB-C, he said it's a cost issue. USB-C connectors are more expensive than micro USB, while also taking a tiny bit more board space. That said, USB-C will probably happen someday.Eben also mentioned microcontroller shipments finally surpassed Pi SBC sales in 2025. The gap is probably widening this year, as Pi prices continue going up.Software and FirmwareA few times in the thread, Pi engineers mentioned the software side being integral to having a good hardware experience, and Gordon Hollingworth—Pi's CTO of Software Engineering—vowed to spend 95% of software engineering time supporting and developing libraries, drivers, kernels, and OSes.If there's one thing where Raspberry Pi excels versus other embedded companies, it's software support. That's the reason people might still pay more for a Pi product, despite the lack of new hardware.Further reading:Raspberry Pi Pico 2 - RP2350 adds more PIO, RISC-V coresESPHome on the Raspberry Pi Pico!SBC Clusters are a terrible value, but they're fun anywayraspberry pirp2040rp2350microcontrollersbcComments© 2026 Jeff Geerling | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Discussion regarding future hardware development and the ecosystem surrounding Raspberry Pi focuses heavily on supply chain constraints, architectural shifts, and the critical role of software support. Regarding the Raspberry Pi 6, projections based on previous launch cycles suggest it might appear around 2026 or 2027; however, limitations exist due to the global DRAM shortage, which has led experts to temper expectations regarding new physical features. Instead of introducing entirely new components, the focus for the Pi 6 appears to be on substantial internal advancements, specifically a faster central processing unit and improved input/output capabilities. Rather than dedicating silicon to a dedicated Neural Processing Unit, Eben suggested framing the CPU itself as a platform for AI computation, mitigating the need for a specific AI chip on the device.

The development of lower-end models, such as the Pi Zero 2W, highlights ongoing challenges related to component supply. The constraint stems not just from the scarcity of components but from the competition for silicon wafers across various chip manufacturers. Although new vendors are being introduced to help alleviate this capacity issue, this shortage is expected to be temporary. Further advancements to the Pi Zero line are complicated by cost considerations; transitioning to a single-sided printed circuit board adds expense, and the cost of newer LPDDR RAM is currently prohibitive for the entry-level zero-dollar price point. The longevity of older models is also evident, as the Pi 3B continues to maintain popularity, selling nearly one million units annually despite its age.

Attention also turns to microcontroller development, particularly the RP2350. James Adams noted that power management and security posed significant development challenges for these microcontrollers. These efforts have seen positive results, especially following a silicon revision that successfully resolved an existing leakage bug. In terms of physical connectivity, the decision to utilize micro USB connectors over USB-C was attributed to cost-effectiveness and minimizing board space, although the possibility of adopting USB-C in future iterations remains. Furthermore, the market dynamics indicate a shift in sales focus, with microcontroller shipments surpassing Raspberry Pi Single Board Computer sales in 2025, suggesting that the gap between the two product categories may widen as overall Pi pricing continues to escalate.

A central theme emphasized by the Raspberry Pi engineering team is the paramount importance of software and firmware support. Gordon Hollingworth, the CTO of Software Engineering, committed to dedicating ninety-five percent of his software engineering time to supporting and developing essential components such as libraries, drivers, kernels, and operating systems. This dedication underscores the view that the strength of the Raspberry Pi, relative to other embedded companies, lies significantly in its robust software ecosystem. This commitment to software development ensures that the hardware experience remains coherent and functional, providing a significant value proposition that encourages continued adoption of Pi products, irrespective of incremental hardware feature releases.