Arduino Uno Q prices will rise as memory costs climb
Arduino says two Uno Q models will cost $15 to $20 more from July 6 because memory component prices have more than doubled.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Arduino is raising prices on two Uno Q single-board microcomputers, adding another device line to the hardware products getting more expensive during the memory crunch. The move matters for makers and buyers comparing the Uno Q with Raspberry Pi boards, because the entry price is about to move up.
According to The Verge, the 2GB Arduino Uno Q will rise from $44 to $59, a $15 increase. The 4GB version will go from $59 to $79, adding $20 to the current price.
The price changes take effect July 6, The Verge reported. Until then, both versions remain available at the current prices.
Arduino cites memory costs
In a letter posted on Arduino’s official blog, chief product officer Marcello Majonchi said the company’s memory component costs have more than doubled over the past six months. Majonchi linked the increase to sustained demand for AI applications.
Majonchi said Arduino had avoided passing the added costs to buyers so far with help from Qualcomm, which bought Arduino last October, according to The Verge. He said Arduino no longer can keep absorbing the increases because it does not see near-term relief in memory supply or pricing.
The Uno Q is a Raspberry Pi-like microcomputer, according to The Verge. The 2GB model uses Qualcomm’s Dragonwing QRB2210 processor.
Part of a wider run of price increases
The Uno Q change follows other hardware price increases tied to memory and storage shortages. The Verge reported that Apple raised prices this week across a range of products, including MacBooks, iPads and smart home hardware such as the HomePod speaker.
Microsoft also announced another Xbox price increase several hours after Apple’s changes, according to The Verge. The report said 512GB Xbox models are increasing by $100, while 1TB versions are going up by $150.
Arduino’s announcement shows that the pressure from memory pricing is reaching smaller computing devices as well as mainstream consumer electronics. For buyers considering the Uno Q, the practical deadline is July 6, when Arduino’s new prices are scheduled to begin.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.