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: it all comes down to which of two chips is inside, plus a couple of physical differences on top. 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
There are only two chip families across the entire R36 lineup:
| Chip family | Models | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| **RK3326** | R36S, R36S Plus, R36 Pro, R36H | Cortex-A35 @ 1.5 GHz | 1 GB DDR3L |
| **RK3566** | R36 Max, R36S Ultra | Cortex-A55 @ 1.8 GHz | 2 GB DDR4 |
R36S is RK3326. R36 Max and R36S Ultra are both RK3566 — meaning R36 Max and R36S Ultra perform *identically* on raw emulation power. The differences between those two are physical, not computational.
R36S vs R36 Max / R36S Ultra: The Real Divide
This is the comparison that actually matters for compatibility:
| R36S (RK3326) | R36 Max / R36S Ultra (RK3566) | |
|---|---|---|
| NES / SNES / GBA / PS1 / Arcade | Perfect | Perfect (identical) |
| Nintendo 64 | Playable (~60–70%) | Playable, noticeably better (~80%) |
| Dreamcast | Limited | Playable |
| PSP | Limited | Playable |
| Nintendo DS | Limited | Playable |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| RetroAchievements | No | Yes |
If your library is mostly 8-bit and 16-bit classics plus PS1, the R36S already runs everything perfectly — the RK3566 models won't visibly improve that experience. If you want N64, Dreamcast, PSP, or NDS to run well, you need RK3566.
R36 Max vs R36S Ultra: Splitting the Flagship Hairs
Since these two share the same chip, screen resolution, and RAM, the differences are purely physical:
| R36 Max | R36S Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | RK3566 | RK3566 (identical) |
| Screen | 4.0" 720×720 IPS OCA | 4.0" 720×720 IPS OCA, **tempered glass** |
| Analog sticks | Standard | RGB-lit |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 128 GB microSD + 16 GB eMMC | 128 GB microSD + 16 GB eMMC |
In short: R36S Ultra is the R36 Max with a tempered-glass screen and RGB sticks. 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 retro/16-bit games → R36S or R36S Plus
- Want Hall-effect sticks (no drift), same performance as R36S → R36 Pro
- Want a horizontal grip → R36H
- Want N64/Dreamcast/PSP to actually run well, standard build → R36 Max
- Want the same as R36 Max plus tempered glass and RGB sticks → R36S Ultra
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 18,000+ game library — what changes between them is which games run well, not which games are available. Browse the full compatibility list filtered by your model of choice.
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