Linux code hints at Raspberry Pi Zero 3 W and cheaper Pi 4 Model A
Code merged into Raspberry Pi’s Linux repository refers to a Pi Zero 3 W and a Pi 4 Model A, suggesting the company may be preparing two new boards. The Zero 3 W would update a model that has gone five years without a successor, while the 4 Model A appears designed to reduce costs as hardware prices rise.
The repository points to a Broadcom BCM271 processor for the Zero 3 W, potentially a significant step up from the current model, but its clock speed, memory and final specifications are unknown. Heat could limit performance in the small board, and eMMC storage mentioned in the code may be dropped to keep costs down; the existing Zero 2 W sells for about $18. The 4 Model A appears to have less memory, no Ethernet and one HDMI output, but Raspberry Pi said it had nothing to add.
In short
- Repository code hints at a Pi Zero 3 W and Pi 4 Model A.
- The Zero 3 W may use a more powerful processor.
- Cost and heat could shape the final designs.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A faster Zero 3 W and a lower-cost Pi 4 Model A could give buyers more choice, especially those who want a compact board or the Pi 4 platform at a lower price. A processor upgrade may extend the Zero’s usefulness, while omitting features such as Ethernet or extra memory could make the Model A more affordable as hardware costs rise.
The case against
The apparent savings may come with meaningful limits: a smaller board could struggle to manage heat, and reduced memory, no Ethernet and a single HDMI output may make the Model A less useful for some projects. With specifications and prices unconfirmed, the code does not yet show whether either board would offer a worthwhile improvement or genuine affordability.
Explained simply
Raspberry Pi makes small, low-cost computers called single-board computers, which put the main components on one circuit board. The Zero range is especially compact, while the Model A versions of the larger Pi boards generally have fewer features than Model B versions.
The Pi Zero 2 W is the current wireless Zero model, and its successor would follow a gap of several years. The Pi 4 Model A would be a lower-cost variant of the Pi 4, with fewer connections and less memory than the better-equipped versions.
These boards are used in projects such as learning to code, home electronics and small servers. Their price and performance matter to hobbyists and organisations choosing hardware, but the details and availability of the possible new models are not yet known.
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Originally published by The Register as “Traces of new Pi hardware spotted in GitHub”.