Head-to-Head
R36 Max vs U8
R36 Max vs U8: a head-to-head comparison of specs, performance, screen, battery, and which one is the better buy for your retro library.
| Spec | R36 Max | U8 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Game Console | Game Console |
| Form Factor | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Operating System | Linux (EmuELEC) | Linux (EmuELEC 4.7) |
| Chipset | RockChip RK3326 | RockChip RK3326 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB LPDDR4 |
| Screen | 4.0 inch | 4.0 inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 720 | 800 x 480 |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| Price inside the EU | No verified EU listing | No verified EU listing |
| Maker's price ships from outside the EU | $35 | $30 |
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The R36 Max and the U8 are two retro handhelds that often end up on the same shortlist, and on our compatibility grid they grade identically on every system we track. The gap between them is hardware and price, not the games they can run.
Performance and emulation ceiling
The R36 Max is powered by a RockChip RK3326 with 1 GB DDR3. The U8 uses a RockChip RK3326 with 1 GB LPDDR4. On our performance scale, the R36 Max scores 9/10 and the U8 scores 9/10. The R36 Max grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo DS in the B range. The U8 grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo DS in the B range. In practice, the R36 Max reaches SNES FX & 3D PS1 (60 FPS), 2D PSP mostly playable but 3D PSP needs frameskip, N64 & Dreamcast mostly playable for easier to emulate games. The U8 reaches SNES FX & 3D PS1 (60 FPS), 2D PSP mostly playable but not 3D, N64 & Dreamcast mostly playable.
Screen and ergonomics
The R36 Max has a 4.0 inch display at 720 x 720. The U8 has a 4.0 inch display at 800 x 480. The R36 Max is a vertical device, while the U8 is horizontal. That shape difference matters for how the device feels in the hand and how comfortable it is for longer sessions.
Battery and price
The R36 Max carries a 4000 mAh battery, and the U8 a 3500 mAh battery. On price, the R36 Max sits around $35, while the U8 is around $30.
Which should you buy?
On every system we grade, the R36 Max and the U8 are level, so there is no spec-sheet winner: the difference is the RAM (1 GB DDR3 against 1 GB LPDDR4), the battery (4000 mAh against 3500 mAh) and the price ($35 against $30). Buy the one that costs less where you are, or the one with more RAM. The best handheld is the one that makes the games you actually play feel natural.
Sources
- Lost In Consoles, R36 Max specification sheet, for the processor, memory, display, battery and tracked price quoted above: lostinconsoles.com/consoles/r36-max
- Lost In Consoles, U8 specification sheet, for the processor, memory, display, battery and tracked price quoted above: lostinconsoles.com/consoles/u8-game-console
- Lost In Consoles, the handheld capability index, for the eighteen systems and the A/B grade definitions used in the performance section: lostinconsoles.com/compatibility