The Raspberry Pi 3B+ builds on the Pi 3 architecture with higher clock speeds, dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet (over USB 2.0), and better thermal management. It keeps the same 40-pin GPIO layout, but tightens up the hardware in ways that make it more reliable for connected and long-running projects.
Pi 3B+ GPIO Pinout
| Pin | Name / Function | Pin | Name / Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.3V Power | 2 | 5V Power |
| 3 | GPIO2 (SDA1) | 4 | 5V Power |
| 5 | GPIO3 (SCL1) | 6 | Ground |
| 7 | GPIO4 | 8 | GPIO14 (TXD0) |
| 9 | Ground | 10 | GPIO15 (RXD0) |
| 11 | GPIO17 | 12 | GPIO18 (PCM_CLK / PWM0) |
| 13 | GPIO27 | 14 | Ground |
| 15 | GPIO22 | 16 | GPIO23 |
| 17 | 3.3V Power | 18 | GPIO24 |
| 19 | GPIO10 (MOSI) | 20 | Ground |
| 21 | GPIO9 (MISO) | 22 | GPIO25 |
| 23 | GPIO11 (SCLK) | 24 | GPIO8 (CE0) |
| 25 | Ground | 26 | GPIO7 (CE1) |
| 27 | ID_SD (I²C EEPROM) | 28 | ID_SC (I²C EEPROM) |
| 29 | GPIO5 | 30 | Ground |
| 31 | GPIO6 | 32 | GPIO12 (PWM0) |
| 33 | GPIO13 (PWM1) | 34 | Ground |
| 35 | GPIO19 (PCM_FS / SPI1 MISO) | 36 | GPIO16 |
| 37 | GPIO26 | 38 | GPIO20 (PCM_DIN / SPI1 MOSI) |
| 39 | Ground | 40 | GPIO21 (PCM_DOUT / SPI1 SCLK) |
Specifications
| Feature | Specification | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.4 GHz | Slight bump over Pi 3 (1.2 GHz) |
| GPU | Broadcom VideoCore IV | Supports OpenGL ES 2.0, 1080p video |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR2 | Same as Pi 3 |
| USB Ports | 4× USB 2.0 | Shared bandwidth with Ethernet |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet (limited to ~300 Mbps) | Runs over USB 2.0 controller |
| Wireless | Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi | Much faster and more stable than Pi 3 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 | Improved energy efficiency |
| Storage | microSD slot | Boot + storage via SD card |
| Power Input | 5V / 2.5A micro-USB | Lower requirement than Pi 4/5 |
| GPIO Header | 40-pin standard layout | Fully compatible with Pi 4 & Pi 5 |
| Video Output | HDMI (Full-size) | Supports 1080p output |
| Dimensions | 85 × 56 mm | Same form factor as earlier models |
Compatibility
- 3.3V Logic Level
- Micro-USB powered (5V/2.5A)
- Single HDMI output
- No built-in ADC
- Not Breadboard Friendly
Helpful Resources
1. Getting started with Pi 3: video tutorial
2. Download the official datasheet from here
3. Benchmark and review: article