The retro edit
R36S or R36MAX2: which budget handheld?
The R36S and the R36MAX2 are our two least expensive handhelds, and they have more in common than their prices suggest. Both use the same quad-core RK3326 processor with Mali-G31 graphics, so they play the same games at the same speed. The difference is almost entirely about the screen and what comes in the box.
The short answer
Buy the R36S if you want the smaller, lighter console with the longer battery. Buy the R36MAX2 if you want a bigger, sharper screen and a few extras for a little more money.
Side by side
| R36S | R36MAX2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 3.5 in IPS, 640×480 | 4.5 in IPS, 1024×768 |
| Battery | 3500 mAh, about 8 hours | 4000 mAh, 4 to 6 hours |
| Storage | microSD slot, cards up to 256GB, card not included | microSD slot, cards up to 256GB, card not included |
| Extras | Six colours | Rumble, light rings, Wi-Fi, case, stand, screen protector |
The screen is the real decision
The R36S has a 3.5-inch screen at 640×480. That sounds modest, but it suits classic games well. The screen has the same 4:3 shape as the televisions those games were made for, and 640×480 is exactly double 320×240, a resolution many PS1 games used, so they scale up cleanly.
The R36MAX2 grows the screen to 4.5 inches at 1024×768, still in 4:3. Everything is larger and sharper, menus included. For anyone who finds small text tiring, or who plays role-playing games with a lot of reading, the extra inch makes a real difference.
Performance is the same
With the same processor, both consoles handle the same library. Arcade, 8-bit and 16-bit systems run smoothly, PS1 games play well, and lighter N64 and PSP games run on top. The R36MAX2 emulates more than 30 systems. Neither is the console for the most demanding 3D games of the late nineties. If those are your priority, look at the Trimui Smart Pro S or, on the TV, the G99.
Battery life
The R36S lasts about eight hours on its 3500 mAh battery, which covers a long flight. The R36MAX2 has a bigger battery at 4000 mAh, but it also lights a bigger screen, so it lasts four to six hours. Both recharge over USB-C in about two hours.
What the R36MAX2 adds
Two vibration motors give rumble in games that support it. The analogue sticks sit in light rings you can adjust. Built-in Wi-Fi lets two consoles play together over the same network. And the box is fuller: a carry case, a desk stand, spare stick caps and a screen protector come with it, which saves buying accessories later.
What the R36S does better
It is smaller, lighter and cheaper, and it holds upright like the pocket handhelds many of us grew up with. It comes in six colours, including bright ones that make it easy to tell whose is whose in a family. And its eight-hour battery is the longest of any handheld we sell.
When to step up to a Trimui
If you are weighing the R36MAX2 against a Trimui Brick, the question is build and screen quality. The Trimui handhelds have sharper screens, more refined controls and a more polished system, and the Brick Pro and Smart Pro S have Hall-effect joysticks that resist drift. They cost more, and for many people the R36 consoles are all they need. Read our Trimui comparison if you are tempted.
