Head-to-Head
R36H vs R35S
R36H vs R35S: a head-to-head comparison of specs, performance, screen, battery, and which one is the better buy for your retro library.
| Spec | R36H | R35S |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Game Console | Game Console |
| Form Factor | Horizontal | Vertical |
| Operating System | Linux (ArkOS) | Linux (ArkOS) |
| Chipset | RockChip RK3326 | RockChip RK3326 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3L | 1 GB LPDDR4 |
| Screen | 3.5 inch | 3.5 inch |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 640 x 480 |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| Price inside the EU | No verified EU listing | No verified EU listing |
| Maker's price ships from outside the EU | $38 | $50 |
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The R36H and the R35S 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 R36H is powered by a RockChip RK3326 with 1 GB DDR3L. The R35S uses a RockChip RK3326 with 1 GB LPDDR4. On our performance scale, the R36H scores 9/10 and the R35S scores 9/10. The R36H grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo DS in the B range. The R35S grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo DS in the B range. In practice, the R36H 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 R35S 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.
Screen and ergonomics
The R36H has a 3.5 inch display at 640 x 480. The R35S has a 3.5 inch display at 640 x 480. The R36H is a horizontal device, while the R35S is vertical. That shape difference matters for how the device feels in the hand and how comfortable it is for longer sessions.
Battery and price
The R36H carries a 3000 mAh battery, and the R35S a 3500 mAh battery. On price, the R36H sits around $38, while the R35S is around $50.
Which should you buy?
On every system we grade, the R36H and the R35S are level, so there is no spec-sheet winner: the difference is the RAM type (1 GB DDR3L against 1 GB LPDDR4), the shape (Horizontal against Vertical), the battery (3000 mAh against 3500 mAh) and the price ($38 against $50). Buy the one that costs less where you are, or the one whose shape you prefer. The best handheld is the one that makes the games you actually play feel natural.
Sources
- Lost In Consoles, R36H specification sheet, for the processor, memory, display, battery and tracked price quoted above: lostinconsoles.com/consoles/r36h-game-console
- Lost In Consoles, R35S specification sheet, for the processor, memory, display, battery and tracked price quoted above: lostinconsoles.com/consoles/r35s-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