Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ boosts speed but keeps $35 price

It's been a couple of years since Raspberry Pi 3 Model B was first launched, so it's just about time for an updated model. Today, the folks behind Raspberry Pi are launching just that, introducing the world to the new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. What better time to roll out a new Raspberry Pi model than Pi Day?

From a looks perspective, the 3B+ doesn't have very many differences from the standard Model 3. The same is true for hardware, but obviously, a new model needs some improvements under the hood, right? While the 3 Model B+ doesn't represent a drastic change over its predecessor, it does make some improvements where they count most.

The list of improved features begins with the processor. Raspberry Pi opted for BCM2837B0, which is the same chip found in the original 3B but this time around, it's capable of reaching a higher clock speed of 1.4GHz. This is thanks to the addition of a heat spreader and improved power regulation, which allow it to automatically drop the CPU to 1.2GHz when temperatures climb above 70 degrees Celsius. At the same time, voltage will decrease, which slows down temperature increases from there and staves off another throttle at 80 degrees.

We also see improvements made to wireless connectivity with this release. Not only is the 3B+ sporting Bluetooth 4.2, but it also has increased support for dual-band Wi-Fi connections. Owners of the original 3B can expect slight improvement when connected to the 2.4GHz band, while performance makes a huge jump in the 5GHz band. Meanwhile, the 3B+ offers a threefold increase in LAN throughput over its predecessor, which is impressive to say the least.

You can learn more about Raspberry Pi 3 B+ in the video you see above, but in the end, this isn't a massive change from the 3 Model B that's been available for two years now. Still, the 3B+ is unquestionably the best Raspberry Pi available at the moment, and in keeping with Raspberry Pi tradition, one can be had on the cheap. Just like the 3B, the 3B+ is launching at a $35 price point, and it's available today on Raspberry Pi's store.