This most recent (2018) Raspberry Pi model, the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ sports performance improvements and new functionality compared to its predecessor.
Optimisations of the on-board power supply circuitry and a built-in heat spreader on the SoC help the CPU cores to achieve the new, higher frequency of 1,4 GHz. The big advantage for users: this performance is sustained much longer without thermal throttling. This will benefit all of your applications (e.g. thin client, web browser, digital signage), and improve the user experience.
The network bandwidth was improved significantly. The new model has a Gbit LAN port, with 300 Mbit/s of real-life throughput. On the WLAN side it now operates in the 5 GHz band as well, supporting WLAN 802.11ac. The 5 GHz band is less congested, and allows higher throughput rates of up to 100 Mbit/s.
Bluetooth 4.2 extends support for IoT devices (like sensors, etc.). The Raspberry Pi can be used as Bluetooth Smart Gateway, or forward IPv6 packets for the sensors using 6LoWPAN.
The new radio module (WLAN and Bluetooth), based on the CYW43455, has modular certification. By designing it into your Raspberry-Pi based products you can save significantly on certification costs, and speed up your time-to-market. The Pi 3B+, therefore, is an optimal choice for prototyping product ideas.
The improved network boot support and the new PoE (power over ethernet) capability allow the Raspberry Pi 3B+ to be connected using a single LAN cable. The LAN cable will provide data connectivity, power, and support the boot process of the Raspberry Pi. This new functionality is wonderful news for industrial and signage applications, where an exchange of the deployed microSD card is highly undesirable.
Features & Technical specifications:
SoC/CPU: BCM2837B0 with four ARMv8-A Cortex-A53 CPU-Cores
GPU: VideoCore IV, FullHD 1080p MPEG-4 playback & encoding
CPU-frequency: 1,4 GHz
GPU: VideoCore IV, FullHD 1080p MPEG-4 playback & encoding
CPU-frequency: 1,4 GHz
RAM: 1 GB LPDDR2
LAN: 1 GBit/s (ca. 300 Mbit/s real-life throughput)
WLAN: IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac – 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz (up to 100 Mbit/s throughput)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Classic & Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
WLAN: IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac – 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz (up to 100 Mbit/s throughput)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Classic & Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
PoE-capable (requires separate add-on “PoE HAT”)
supports PXE network boot, supports booting from USB devices (without microSD card)
supports PXE network boot, supports booting from USB devices (without microSD card)
mass storage device: microSD slot (we recommend class 10 microSD cards)
USB: four USB 2.0 ports
Interfacing: HDMI (CEC-capable), 40 pin GPIO-header (extension port), MIPI CSI (camera), MIPI DSI (display), 3.5 mm A/V jack (stereo audio & composite video)
power supply: microUSB 5 V / 2,5 A – the official Raspberry Pi power supply is highly recommended
