R36S vs RG35XX Plus: Which Retro Handheld Should You Buy?
The R36S and Anbernic RG35XX Plus occupy the same budget price tier but take different approaches to retro gaming. This comparison covers hardware, display quality, emulation performance, and community support to help you choose the right device.
Quick Specs Comparison
Before diving into the details, here is a side-by-side look at the core hardware specifications of both devices:
| Specification | R36S | RG35XX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| SoC (Chip) | Rockchip RK3326 | Allwinner H700 |
| CPU | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A35 @ 1.5GHz | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G31 MP2 | Mali-G31 MP2 |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR4 | 1GB DDR3 |
| Screen Size | 3.5 inch IPS | 3.5 inch IPS |
| Screen Resolution | 640 × 480 (4:3) | 640 × 480 (4:3) |
| Battery | 3200 mAh | 3300 mAh |
| Wi-Fi | No (base model) | Yes (built-in 2.4GHz) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes (BT 4.2) |
| SD Card Slots | 1 (user) | 2 (OS + ROMS) |
| USB-C | Yes (charging + OTG) | Yes (charging + OTG) |
| Price Range | $35–$45 | $50–$65 |
Design and Build Quality
Both devices share a similar landscape form factor reminiscent of a compact game controller with a screen in the center. However, the feel in hand differs noticeably.
R36S Design
The R36S is a clone of the RG351P design with a horizontal layout. The shell is made from lightweight ABS plastic available in multiple colors. The buttons have good travel and tactile feedback. The analog sticks feel decent for the price point, though they can drift over time with heavy use.
One notable limitation is the single SD card slot. The system partition and ROM storage share one card, which can complicate firmware updates. However, this simplicity also makes initial setup more straightforward.
RG35XX Plus Design
The RG35XX Plus uses a GBA-SP-inspired vertical orientation as well as horizontal variants depending on the specific model. The build quality is slightly more premium than the R36S, with tighter tolerances and a more consistent button feel across units. Anbernic is an established manufacturer with more consistent quality control.
The dual SD card design (one for the OS, one for ROMs) is a significant practical advantage — you can swap ROM cards without touching the system installation, and firmware updates don't risk overwriting your ROM library.
Ergonomics
Both devices are comfortable for extended play sessions. The R36S is slightly lighter at around 155g vs the RG35XX Plus at approximately 165g. For users with smaller hands, the R36S may feel more natural; those preferring a more substantial grip will prefer the RG35XX Plus.
Display Comparison
Both devices use 3.5-inch IPS panels at 640×480 resolution, which is ideal for 4:3 retro gaming content. However, panel quality varies between units due to the R36S supply chain.
R36S Display
The R36S has been shipped with multiple display panels across production batches. Some units receive bright, high-contrast screens, while others receive panels with noticeably lower brightness or slight color cast. This inconsistency is a known issue in the R36S community — you cannot guarantee which panel your unit will arrive with when ordering.
The display supports 60Hz refresh rate and produces accurate colors on the better panel variants. Viewing angles are wide, typical of IPS technology.
RG35XX Plus Display
Anbernic uses more consistent panel sourcing. The RG35XX Plus display is generally brighter and more uniform across units, with better color accuracy out of the box. Maximum brightness is noticeably higher than most R36S units, which helps in outdoor or bright room conditions.
✅ Display Winner: RG35XX Plus
The RG35XX Plus wins on display consistency. The R36S screen can be excellent, but the panel lottery means you might receive a dimmer unit. If display quality is your priority, the RG35XX Plus is the safer choice.
Performance and Game Compatibility
Both devices target the same performance tier: smooth emulation up to PS1 and N64, with some PSP game support. The CPU architectures differ in meaningful ways.
CPU Architecture Differences
The R36S uses a Cortex-A35 processor. The RG35XX Plus uses a Cortex-A53. The A53 is a broader, higher-IPC design with slightly better performance per clock. In practice, both chips run at 1.5GHz and handle the same target systems:
| System | R36S Performance | RG35XX Plus Performance |
|---|---|---|
| NES / SNES / GBA | Perfect 60fps | Perfect 60fps |
| PlayStation 1 | Full speed, all games | Full speed, all games |
| Nintendo 64 | Most games 40–60fps | Most games 45–60fps (slight edge) |
| Dreamcast | Some games playable | Some games playable |
| PSP | Simple games only | More games at playable speed |
For the systems that the majority of users care about — up through PS1 — both devices are essentially equivalent. The RG35XX Plus holds a small but measurable performance advantage for N64 and PSP titles.
Software and Firmware Options
Software support is where the two devices diverge most significantly.
R36S Firmware Ecosystem
The R36S runs on the Rockchip RK3326 platform, which has extensive community support. It is fully supported by:
- ArkOS — feature-rich, actively developed, excellent RetroArch integration
- Rocknix — Linux-based, Batocera-style frontend, strong community
- JELOS — another community fork with active development
- Stock firmware — functional but limited; custom firmware is strongly recommended
The RK3326 platform has years of development behind it, meaning most issues are well-documented and solutions are easy to find. The R36S community on Reddit (r/r36s) and Discord is active and helpful.
RG35XX Plus Firmware Ecosystem
The RG35XX Plus uses the Allwinner H700, which Anbernic supports with official firmware updates. It also supports:
- Garlic OS / MuOS — popular custom firmware with good usability
- Batocera — cross-platform firmware with strong community support
- Official Anbernic firmware — receives regular updates from the manufacturer
Anbernic's official support means you can expect longer-term firmware maintenance. However, the community size is smaller than the R36S's combined RK3326 ecosystem.
Wi-Fi and Online Features
This is a significant differentiator. The RG35XX Plus has built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth. This enables:
- Direct ROM scraping and metadata downloads from the device
- RetroAchievements tracking (online leaderboards and achievements)
- Netplay for multiplayer over the internet
- Wireless Bluetooth controller pairing
- Firmware updates over Wi-Fi
The base R36S has no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. A USB Wi-Fi adapter can add Wi-Fi via the USB-C port, but this adds cost and complexity. If online features matter to you, this is a decisive advantage for the RG35XX Plus.
💡 Pro Tip
RetroAchievements is a compelling feature for retro gaming enthusiasts — it adds Trophies/Achievements to classic games. If you want this, the RG35XX Plus's built-in Wi-Fi makes setup effortless, while the R36S requires a USB Wi-Fi adapter (around $8–12).
Price and Value Analysis
The price gap between these devices is meaningful at this budget tier:
- R36S: $35–45 on AliExpress, Amazon, or eBay
- RG35XX Plus: $50–65 from Anbernic's official store or retailers
The R36S costs roughly 25–35% less. At these price points, that difference represents real money. The question is whether the RG35XX Plus's advantages justify the premium.
The RG35XX Plus extras vs the R36S base model:
- Built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth (~$8–12 value if added via USB adapter to R36S)
- Better display consistency (difficult to quantify)
- Dual SD card slots (convenience value)
- Slightly better N64/PSP performance
- Official manufacturer support and warranty
Final Verdict
Neither device is universally better — the right choice depends on your priorities.
Choose the R36S if:
- Budget is the primary concern and you want the lowest entry cost
- You mainly play NES, SNES, GBA, and PS1 — systems both handle perfectly
- You prefer a large, established community for support and troubleshooting
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not important to your use case
Choose the RG35XX Plus if:
- You want built-in Wi-Fi for RetroAchievements, scraping, or netplay
- Display consistency is important (the R36S panel lottery is a real concern)
- You want dual SD cards for easier ROM management and firmware updates
- N64 or PSP gaming is a priority
- You prefer a device from an established manufacturer with official support
✅ Bottom Line
For pure retro gaming on a tight budget, the R36S delivers exceptional value and has outstanding community support. If you can stretch the budget by $15–20, the RG35XX Plus is a more polished device with built-in connectivity that removes several common frustrations. Both are good choices — it depends on what you value most.