As per Raspberry Pi Foundation’s CEO, Eben Upton, the Pi3 has been in development for over a year. The new version comes with quad-core 64-bit 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A53 chip. This is about 50 per cent faster than its predecessor. Mr Upton further points out “Our primary goal in moving to A53 from A7 was to get a better 32-bit core. A53 running in 32-bit mode outperforms A7 at the same clock speed by 20-30 percent.”
The new Pi3 comes with the same 1GB RAM and has upgraded to 900MHz from 450MHz. There is also an improvement in the VideoCore IV graphics from 250MHz to 400MHz. Both of these are based in a board that retains the same dimensions as the Pi 2. The addition of integrated Bluetooth 4.1 and 802.11n WiFi will help in reducing the need to look for component sites for cheap USB dongles.
In case, one is looking to exchange their old Pi with the new one, they will need to upgrade their power source as the Pi 3 requires a 2.5A input. The Pi 3 can be bought from Element14, RS Components and other usual stockists for $35/£30.
