Head-to-Head
R36S vs XF35H
R36S vs XF35H: a head-to-head comparison of specs, performance, screen, battery, and which one is the better buy for your retro library.
| Spec | R36S | XF35H |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Game Console | Game Console |
| Form Factor | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Operating System | Linux (ArkOS) | Linux (ArkOS) |
| Chipset | RockChip RK3326 | RockChip RK3326 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3L | 1 GB DDR3 |
| Screen | 3.5 inch | 3.5 inch |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 640x480 |
| Battery | 3500 mAh (Swappable) | 4000 mAh |
| Price inside the EU | No verified EU listing | No verified EU listing |
| Maker's price ships from outside the EU | $40 | — |
Buying Links
When you buy through links on this site, Lost In Consoles may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The R36S and the XF35H 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 R36S is powered by a RockChip RK3326 with 1 GB DDR3L. The XF35H uses a RockChip RK3326 with 1 GB DDR3. On our performance scale, the R36S scores 9/10 and the XF35H scores 9/10. The R36S grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo DS in the B range. The XF35H grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo DS in the B range. In practice, the R36S 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 XF35H 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 R36S has a 3.5 inch display at 640 x 480. The XF35H has a 3.5 inch display at 640x480. The R36S is a vertical device, while the XF35H 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 R36S carries a swappable 3500 mAh battery, and the XF35H a 4000 mAh battery. On price, the R36S sits around $40.
Which should you buy?
On every system we grade, the R36S and the XF35H are level, so there is no spec-sheet winner: the difference is the RAM type (1 GB DDR3L against 1 GB DDR3), the shape (Vertical against Horizontal) and the battery (swappable 3500 mAh against 4000 mAh). Buy 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, R36S specification sheet, for the processor, memory, display, battery and tracked price quoted above: lostinconsoles.com/consoles/r36s-game-console
- Lost In Consoles, XF35H specification sheet, for the processor, memory, display, battery and tracked price quoted above: lostinconsoles.com/consoles/xf35h-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