R36S vs R36S Plus: Full Comparison (2026)

What's New in the R36S Plus?

The R36S Plus was released in mid-2025. The manufacturer positioned it with three claims: built-in Wi-Fi, an upgraded processor, and an improved screen. Two of the three hold up. The screen really is different — a larger square panel rather than the original 4:3 — and the Wi-Fi really is built in. The processor claim is the one that does not survive checking.

Externally the two are easy to tell apart, which is worth knowing before you buy one second-hand or check what actually arrived. The Plus carries a 4.0-inch square 720×720 panel against the original’s 3.5-inch 4:3 640×480, in a noticeably bigger shell — roughly 142×82×28 mm and about 220 g, against roughly 120×83×21 mm and 180–190 g. Side by side the square screen is unmistakable, and it is the quickest way to confirm which product you received.

The price premium in 2026 is approximately €5-10 more than the standard R36S, depending on the seller. That spread matters when evaluating whether the upgrades justify the cost.

Specs Comparison

Here is a direct side-by-side of the hardware specifications for both devices as of 2026:

The chip, the RAM and the storage arrangement are unchanged — same RK3326, same 1 GB DDR3L, both relying entirely on microSD. The screen and the weight are where the two actually part company: 720×720 on a 4.0-inch square panel against 640×480 on a 3.5-inch 4:3 one, and roughly 220 g against 180–190 g. Thirty grams and a noticeably larger shell are things you feel over a long session, though whether that counts against the Plus is personal.

The Processor Debate: Is the R36S Plus Actually Faster?

The manufacturer advertises an "upgraded processor" and "better performance" for the R36S Plus. Community testing tells a different story.

There is no second chip to compare. Shipped R36S Plus units carry the same RK3326 as the original — teardowns of the “R36S Plus-V20” board confirm it. Early coverage in 2025 suggested the Plus would move to an Allwinner A133P, which would have mattered a great deal because the ArkOS and Rocknix family does not run on that part, but it is not what shipped.

In practical gaming terms:

• PS1 performance: Indistinguishable between models — same frame rates, same compatibility
• GBA performance: Both run at full speed with no meaningful difference
• SNES performance: Identical on both devices
• N64 performance: Same titles struggle on both; same titles run well on both
• PSP performance: Identical — demanding PSP titles that struggle on the original also struggle on the Plus
• Dreamcast performance: Same performance ceiling on both devices

So the “upgraded processor” claim describes nothing at all — it is the same silicon. Emulation performance is identical because the hardware doing the emulating is identical.

The Two Real Differences: Screen and Wi-Fi

Strip away the processor claim and two genuine hardware changes remain.

The screen is the bigger one, and it cuts both ways. 720×720 allows cleaner integer scaling than 480 lines do — Game Boy’s 160×144 fits 4× and GBA’s 240×160 fits 3×, neither of which the original manages. But 4:3 content on a 1:1 panel occupies only 720×540 with bars above and below, which works out barely larger than the original’s 3.5-inch image. If you mostly play 4:3 consoles it is close to a wash; if Game Boy, GBA or vertical arcade are a big part of your library, it is a real gain. Our variants comparison works through the arithmetic.

The second is built-in Wi-Fi, which is the more clear-cut convenience.

On the original R36S, adding Wi-Fi requires a USB Wi-Fi dongle plus an OTG adapter — an additional €5-10 in cost, a dongle sticking out of the device, and a setup process that isn't seamless. Some dongles also require manual driver configuration.

On the R36S Plus, Wi-Fi works out of the box in both ArkOS and Rocknix with no additional hardware. The internal chipset (typically an RTL8723BS or similar) is already supported by the firmware.

What built-in Wi-Fi enables:

• RetroAchievements: Track in-game achievements and sync your progress online
• PortMaster: Download and install ports of PC games directly to the device
• Samba file transfer: Transfer ROMs and saves wirelessly over your home network
• Netplay: Play multiplayer games online through RetroArch

Firmware Support in 2026

Both devices are supported by the two main community firmware options: ArkOS and Rocknix. However, the R36S Plus required firmware updates after its launch — it was not supported from day one.

ArkOS Support

ArkOS added R36S Plus support after the device launched — not immediately on release day. Dedicated R36S Plus builds are now available and stable as of 2026.

An important practical note: you must download the correct ArkOS build for your specific device. Using an original R36S ArkOS image on a Plus unit (or vice versa) can cause display issues or Wi-Fi not functioning correctly. Always verify the build label before flashing.

ArkOS is no longer maintained — both its repositories were archived during 2026 and its own wiki names dArkOS as the replacement. The final ArkOS images remain downloadable and still work, but for firmware that is still being developed, look at Rocknix or dArkOS. Our firmware comparison covers what that changes.

Rocknix Support

Rocknix added R36S Plus support shortly after ArkOS did. The R36S Plus is listed as a supported device on the Rocknix GitHub.

The setup procedure is the same as for the original R36S — flash the image to an SD card, boot, and follow the initial setup. The only difference is to use the Plus-specific image rather than the standard R36S image. The Rocknix device list makes this clear with separate entries for each variant.

Clone R36S Plus Warning

Clone R36S Plus units exist in the market, using the same detection methods that apply to original R36S clones. Clone units often advertise Wi-Fi on the product listing but ship with non-functional Wi-Fi hardware or an incompatible chipset that the firmware cannot drive.

To check whether your R36S Plus has genuine Wi-Fi:

• Genuine unit: A Wi-Fi configuration menu appears in ArkOS or Rocknix settings; you can scan for networks and connect successfully
• Clone unit: No Wi-Fi option appears in settings at all, or the option appears but scanning returns no results even near a router

If you are buying from AliExpress or a third-party reseller, stick to sellers with recent verified reviews specifically mentioning working Wi-Fi on the R36S Plus.

Who Should Buy Which?

The right choice depends entirely on how you plan to use the device:

Verdict: Is the R36S Plus Worth the Extra Cost?

The answer depends on one question: do you plan to use Wi-Fi features regularly?

• If yes: The €5-10 premium for built-in Wi-Fi is worth it purely for the convenience. No dongle, no OTG adapter, no driver setup — it just works.
• If no: the decision comes down to the screen alone. Emulation performance, battery life and build quality are the same; the panel is not. Prefer the original if you mostly play 4:3 systems and want the smaller, lighter device; prefer the Plus if Game Boy, GBA and vertical arcade are a large part of what you play.
• If you already own an R36S: upgrading buys you a different screen and a dongle you no longer need. It buys you no extra performance. That is a reasonable trade only if the square panel is something you actively want — otherwise a dongle costs less than the difference.

The R36S Plus does not offer better emulation, longer battery life or improved build quality, and the advertised processor upgrade does not exist — it is the same RK3326. What it does offer is a different screen and a radio.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If you are still deciding, the R36S and R36S Plus are not the only options in this price bracket. A few alternatives are worth knowing about:

If you are weighing listings rather than models — anything sold as an “R36S Pro”, “R36 Ultra” or similar — see is there an R36S Pro? for which variants are real and which names are only marketing.

• Anbernic RG35XX Plus: Similar price point, better overall build quality, and more firmware options. Often a better choice for first-time buyers who want a polished experience out of the box.
• Miyoo Mini Plus: Compact form factor with a highly active community and OnionOS support. Well-suited for portable use — smaller than the R36S and with excellent software support.
• Trimui Smart Pro: Larger screen in a similar price range. A good option if screen size matters more than portability.

For a full comparison of devices in this category before you commit to a purchase, see the Before You Buy guide.