R36 Ultra vs R36S vs R36 Max: Which Model Should You Buy?
The R36 family has grown into six models, and the naming doesn't make the differences obvious. Here's the short version: they all use the same chip, so the choice comes down to the screen, the wireless features and the shell. This guide breaks down the three most-searched names — R36S, R36 Max, and R36S Ultra — directly against each other.
The One Fact That Explains Everything
Every model in the R36 lineup is built on the same chip:
| Chip | Models | CPU | GPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Rockchip RK3326** | R36S, R36S Plus, R36 Pro, R36H, R36 Max, R36S Ultra | Quad-core Cortex-A35 @ 1.5 GHz | Mali-G31 MP2 | 1 GB |
Some marketplace listings describe the R36 Max and R36S Ultra as RK3566 devices with 2 GB of RAM. Independent reviews and spec databases list the RK3326 with 1 GB for both. That means the R36S, R36 Max and R36S Ultra perform *identically* on raw emulation power. The differences between them are physical, not computational. (A few R36S Plus batches are reported with an Allwinner A133 Plus chip instead, so check the listing for that model.)
R36S vs R36 Max / R36S Ultra: The Real Divide
The real split in the family is the screen shape, not power:
| R36S | R36 Max | R36S Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 3.5" IPS, 640×480 (4:3) | 4.0" IPS, 720×720 (1:1 square) | 4.0" IPS, 720×720 (1:1 square) |
| NES / SNES / GBA / PS1 / Arcade | Perfect | Perfect (identical) | Perfect (identical) |
| Nintendo 64 / Dreamcast / PSP / DS | Game by game | Game by game (identical) | Game by game (identical) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No | Varies by batch |
| RetroAchievements | No | No (needs a dongle) | Yes, via Wi-Fi |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh in our records (listings: 3,200–3,500) | 4,000 mAh | ~3,000–3,500 mAh |
The square screen is the trade-off to understand. It fits Game Boy, Game Boy Color, GBA and Neo Geo Pocket Color games well, but 4:3 systems such as PS1, SNES, NES and Mega Drive show black bars at the top and bottom — a 4:3 game on the 4.0" square panel ends up about the same size as on the R36S's 3.5" screen. If your library is mostly 8-bit and 16-bit home consoles plus PS1, the R36S's 4:3 screen is the better fit. If it's mostly handheld systems, the square models make more sense. N64, Dreamcast, PSP and NDS stay game by game on all three; for those, a stronger handheld outside the R36 family (RK3566-class or better) is the real upgrade.
R36 Max vs R36S Ultra: Splitting the Flagship Hairs
Since these two share the same chip, RAM and 720×720 screen, the differences come down to wireless and battery:
| R36 Max | R36S Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | RK3326 | RK3326 (identical) |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB |
| Screen | 4.0" 720×720 IPS | 4.0" 720×720 IPS |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Varies by batch |
| RetroAchievements | No (needs a dongle) | Yes, via Wi-Fi |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | ~3,000–3,500 mAh |
| microSD | Dual slots | microSD |
In short: the R36S Ultra is the square-screen R36 with Wi-Fi; the R36 Max is the square-screen R36 without wireless, with a bigger battery. Emulation performance is the same device under the hood. Read the full R36S Ultra review for more detail on that model specifically.
Quick Decision Guide
- Budget-focused, mostly 4:3 home-console games (NES, SNES, Mega Drive, PS1) → R36S
- Want a 4.0" square screen on a budget → R36S Plus (chip and Wi-Fi vary by batch, so check the listing)
- Want Hall-effect sticks (no drift), same performance as R36S → R36 Pro
- Want a horizontal grip → R36H (same chip as the R36S; see R36S vs R36H)
- Want a square screen for Game Boy and GBA, no need for wireless → R36 Max
- Want the square screen plus Wi-Fi for RetroAchievements and netplay → R36S Ultra
- Want N64/Dreamcast/PSP/NDS to actually run better → no R36 model does that; see our best budget retro handhelds for stronger options
Full Side-by-Side
For every spec across all six models in one table, see our complete model comparison page — it includes chip, RAM, screen, battery, storage, and connectivity for the full lineup, plus console-by-console compatibility ratings.
All six models share the same 32,000+ game library — and because they share the chip, the same games run well on each. What changes between them is the screen, wireless and shell. Browse the full compatibility list filtered by your model of choice.
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