R36S vs R36S Plus: Full Comparison (2026)
The R36S Plus arrived in mid-2025 promising Wi-Fi, a better processor, and an improved screen. On paper it sounds like a meaningful upgrade. In practice, the differences are narrower than the marketing suggests. This comparison breaks down exactly what changed, what stayed the same, and whether the extra cost is justified.
What's New in the R36S Plus?
The R36S Plus was released in mid-2025 as an incremental upgrade to the original R36S. The manufacturer positioned it with several marketing claims: built-in Wi-Fi, an upgraded processor, and an improved screen. In reality, only one of those claims translates into a meaningful real-world difference.
Externally, the R36S Plus is essentially identical to the original R36S. It uses the same form factor, the same button layout, the same shell design, and the same overall dimensions. If you placed both devices side by side without looking at the internals or firmware, you would struggle to tell them apart.
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.
Key Takeaway
The R36S Plus is not a major generational upgrade. It's an incremental revision with one significant practical addition: built-in Wi-Fi.
Specs Comparison
Here is a direct side-by-side of the hardware specifications for both devices as of 2026:
| Spec | R36S (Original) | R36S Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | RK3326 (Rockchip) | RK3326 or RK3326S (disputed — see below) |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR4 | 1GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | microSD only | microSD only |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS, 640×480 | 3.5" IPS, 640×480 |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | None | Yes (RTL8723BS or similar) |
| Bluetooth | None | Yes (on some units) |
| Battery | ~3000mAh | ~3000mAh (similar real-world life) |
| USB | USB-C | USB-C |
| SD Slots | 2 (TF1 + TF2) | 2 (TF1 + TF2) |
| Weight | ~150g | ~155g |
| Price (2026) | €25-35 | €30-42 |
The screen resolution is unchanged at 640×480. The RAM is unchanged at 1GB LPDDR4. The storage situation is identical — both rely entirely on microSD cards. The weight difference of roughly 5g is imperceptible in normal use.
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.
Both the RK3326 and RK3326S belong to the same Cortex-A35 family. They operate at similar real-world clock speeds under load. Multiple community members have run benchmark comparisons and found near-identical results between the two chips in the context of retro emulation.
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
The "upgraded processor" claim is essentially a marketing description of a chip revision within the same product family — not a meaningful performance jump for emulation workloads.
Important
Don't buy the R36S Plus expecting significantly better emulation performance. Game compatibility and frame rates are nearly identical to the original R36S.
The Real Difference: Built-In Wi-Fi
Strip away the marketing claims and one genuine hardware addition remains: built-in Wi-Fi. This is the only practically significant hardware upgrade in the R36S Plus.
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
Who Benefits Most
If you regularly use RetroAchievements or PortMaster, built-in Wi-Fi is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement.
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.
For the latest R36S Plus-specific release, check the ArkOS GitHub repository directly. The community there is active and releases are updated regularly.
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:
| User Type | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First-time buyer on a budget | R36S Original | Lower price, identical game performance, Wi-Fi dongle is optional |
| User who wants RetroAchievements / PortMaster | R36S Plus | Built-in Wi-Fi is more convenient than a dongle |
| Existing R36S owner considering upgrade | Keep original | Performance uplift doesn't justify the cost |
| User who already has a Wi-Fi dongle | R36S Original | No practical difference if Wi-Fi is already solved |
| User who wants future-proofing | R36S Plus | Slightly more future-proof firmware support expected |
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: There is no meaningful difference in day-to-day use. The emulation performance is identical, the screen is the same, the battery life is the same, and the build quality is the same. Save the money.
- If you already own an R36S: Do not upgrade. The emulation performance is identical. The only thing you gain is internal Wi-Fi, and a dongle provides the same functionality for less than the cost difference between the two devices.
The R36S Plus does not offer significantly better emulation, a better screen, longer battery life, or improved build quality over the original. The processor difference is real on paper but invisible in practice.
Bottom Line
Both devices run the same games equally well. Buy the R36S Plus only if built-in Wi-Fi matters to you. Otherwise, the original R36S at a lower price is the smarter choice.
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:
- 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.