So now that the Raspberry Pi 4 model B has just been launched, it may be worth checking out the differences against the previous latest single board computer from the Raspberry Pi foundation, namely Raspberry Pi 3 model B+.
Let’s get straight to the Raspberry Pi 4 vs Pi 3 B+ comparison table.
| Features/Specs | Raspberry Pi 4B | Raspberry Pi 3 B+ |
| Release date | 24th June 2019 | 14th March 2018 |
| SoC | Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 @ 1.5 GHz |
Broadcom BCM2837B0 quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.4 GHz |
| GPU | VideoCore VI with OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0, 3.0 | VideoCore IV with OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0 |
| Video Decode | H.265 4Kp60, H.264 1080p60 | H.264 & MPEG-4 1080p30 |
| Video Encode | H.264 1080p30 | |
| Memory | 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB LPDDR4 | 1GB LPDDR2 |
| Storage | microSD card | |
| Video & Audio Output | 2x micro HDMI ports up to 4Kp60 3.5mm AV port (composite + audio) MIPI DSI connector |
1x HDMI 1.4 port up to 1080p60 3.5mm AV port (composite + audio) MIPI DSI connector |
| Camera | MIPI CSI connector | |
| Ethernet | Native Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet over USB (300 Mbps max.) |
| WiFi | Dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 + BLE | Bluetooth 4.2 + BLE |
| USB | 2x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0 |
4x USB 2.0 |
| Expansion | 40-pin GPIO header | |
| Power Supply | 5V via USB type-C up to 3A 5V via GPIO header up to 3A Power over Ethernet via PoE HAT |
5V via micro USB up to 2.5A 5V via GPIO header up to 3A Power over Ethernet via PoE HAT |
| Dimensions | 85×56 mm | |
| Default OS | Raspbian (after June 24, 2019) | Raspbian (after March 2018) |
| Price | $35 (1GB RAM), $45 (2GB RAM), $55 (4GB RAM) | $35 (1GB RAM) |
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has done a pretty amazing job here with adding the extra performance (CPU up to three times faster), and plenty of new features (4K, GbE, USB 3.0..) while keeping the same price tag for the board with 1GB RAM. Some of the features I don’t see advertised and are present on some of the competing boards include HDR (High Dynamic Range) and VP9 video decoding.
Now some of you may ask: “Wait? A comparison without benchmarks? Where are the benchmarks?” To which I reply those are coming as I’m expecting a Raspberry Pi 4 board in a few hours…
[Update: See Raspberry Pi 4 Benchmarks and mini review]
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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