R36S vs Trimui Brick: Which Budget Retro Handheld Wins in 2026?
Quick verdict: The R36S ($79.99) wins for most buyers — more preloaded games, better PSP support, larger battery, and 2,837 verified reviews. The Trimui Brick wins on ultra-compact portability and its unique Game Boy Color-inspired aesthetic. For pure retro gaming value, the R36S is the stronger all-around device. Here's the full Lab-Tested breakdown.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Team
⚡ iGC Verdict at a Glance
- Best value: R36S — $79.99 🏆
- Most portable: Trimui Brick — ultra-compact design
- Best preloaded games: R36S — thousands ready to play
- Best PSP support: R36S 🏆
- Best battery life: R36S — 3,200mAh vs 2,000mAh
- Best aesthetic: Trimui Brick — Game Boy Color-inspired
- Best for beginners & gifts: R36S — 2,837 verified reviews
📊 R36S vs Trimui Brick: Side-by-Side Specs
| Specification | R36S | Trimui Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$55–65 |
| Form Factor | Horizontal | Vertical (GBC-inspired) |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 2.8" IPS |
| Resolution | 640×480 | 640×480 |
| Processor | Allwinner H700 | Allwinner A133P |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 256MB |
| Battery | 3,200mAh | 2,000mAh |
| Battery Life | 6–8 hrs | 4–5 hrs |
| WiFi | Dongle only | ✅ Built-in |
| PSP Support | ✅ Yes (mixed) | ❌ No |
| Preloaded Games | ✅ Thousands | ❌ Bring your own |
| iGC Rating | ⭐ 4.70/5 (2,837) | ⭐ 4.4/5 (community) |
🎮 Design & Portability
The Trimui Brick's biggest selling point is its design — it's one of the most visually distinctive budget handhelds on the market:
- R36S: Classic horizontal game controller layout. Comfortable for extended sessions. Fits most adult hands well. At ~175g, it's light but substantial. The design is functional and familiar — no surprises.
- Trimui Brick: Vertical Game Boy Color-inspired design with a distinctive boxy aesthetic. Extremely compact — fits in a shirt pocket. At ~100g, it's noticeably lighter than the R36S. The colorful shell options (transparent, colored) make it a conversation piece. The 2.8" screen is smaller but very sharp at 640×480.
iGC verdict: If portability and aesthetics are your top priorities, the Trimui Brick is genuinely impressive. For comfortable extended gaming sessions, the R36S's larger form factor wins.
📺 Screen & Display
Both use IPS panels at 640×480 — but screen size differs significantly:
- R36S (3.5" IPS): Larger screen makes games more immersive. Text and menus are easy to read. Excellent for extended gaming sessions. The larger display is a meaningful advantage for PS1 and PSP games.
- Trimui Brick (2.8" IPS): Smaller screen but extremely high pixel density — games look incredibly sharp. The compact size is perfect for NES, GBA, and Game Boy games. PS1 games can feel slightly cramped on the smaller display.
iGC verdict: The R36S wins on screen size and immersion. The Trimui Brick wins on pixel density and portability. For most gaming scenarios, the R36S's larger 3.5" screen is the better experience.
⚡ Performance & Emulation
The R36S has a significant hardware advantage — 4x more RAM (1GB vs 256MB) and a more capable processor:
| Platform | R36S | Trimui Brick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES / SNES | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | None — identical |
| Game Boy / GBC / GBA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | None — identical |
| PlayStation 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | R36S more consistent |
| Nintendo 64 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | R36S wins clearly |
| PSP | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Not supported | R36S only |
| Sega Genesis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | None — identical |
Critical difference: The Trimui Brick cannot run PSP games and struggles significantly with N64. If either platform matters to you, the R36S is the only choice between these two.
🔋 Battery Life: R36S Wins by a Wide Margin
| Gaming Scenario | R36S | Trimui Brick |
|---|---|---|
| GBA / SNES | 7.5 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
| PS1 | 6.5 hrs | 4 hrs |
| NES | 8 hrs | 5 hrs |
iGC verdict: The R36S wins on battery life by approximately 3 hours across all scenarios. The Trimui Brick's 2,000mAh battery is its biggest weakness — you'll need to charge it mid-session for long gaming days. The R36S's 3,200mAh battery comfortably lasts a full gaming session.
💰 Price & Value: The Full Picture
| Factor | R36S ($79.99) | Trimui Brick (~$60) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware price | $79.99 | ~$60 |
| Games included | ✅ Thousands preloaded | ❌ None — bring your own |
| Battery | 3,200mAh (6–8 hrs) | 2,000mAh (4–5 hrs) |
| Screen size | 3.5" | 2.8" |
| PSP support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 256MB |
| Verified reviews | 2,837 | Community only |
True value reality: The Trimui Brick is ~$20 cheaper — but ships with zero games, has half the battery life, a smaller screen, and cannot run PSP or N64 games. On total value, the R36S wins decisively despite the higher sticker price.
🎯 Who Should Buy Which?
🏆 Buy the R36S if you:
- Want plug-and-play with games included
- Are new to retro gaming
- Are buying as a gift
- Want PSP or N64 game support
- Need 6–8 hours of battery life
- Want a larger 3.5" screen
- Want 2,837 reviews of confidence
🎮 Buy Trimui Brick if you:
- Want the most compact device possible
- Love the Game Boy Color aesthetic
- Already have your own ROM collection
- Only play NES/SNES/GBA/PS1
- Want built-in WiFi
- Budget is strictly under $65
Available from Trimui and third-party retailers. iGC specializes in R36S and Anbernic devices.
🏆 Final Verdict: R36S vs Trimui Brick
For most buyers, the R36S at $79.99 is the clear winner. Despite being ~$20 more expensive, it ships with thousands of preloaded games, has 60% more battery life (7.5 hrs vs 4.5 hrs), a larger 3.5" screen, PSP and N64 support, and is backed by 2,837 verified reviews. The value gap is decisive.
The Trimui Brick earns its place for a specific type of buyer: someone who wants the most compact, aesthetically distinctive retro handheld possible, already has their own ROM collection, and only plays NES, SNES, GBA, and PS1 games. It's a genuinely charming device — just not the better all-around value.
iGC Lab recommendation: Buy the R36S. The Trimui Brick is a fun novelty — the R36S is a serious retro gaming machine. For $20 more, you get dramatically more battery life, a bigger screen, PSP support, and thousands of preloaded games.
R36S Definitive Edition — Lab-Tested by iGC
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 Verified Reviews · Ships Ready to Play
$79.99 $109.99 SAVE 27%
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Buy R36S Now →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the R36S better than the Trimui Brick?
For most buyers, yes. The R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games, has 60% more battery life, a larger 3.5" screen, PSP and N64 support, and is backed by 2,837 verified reviews. The Trimui Brick wins only on ultra-compact portability and aesthetic design.
Can the Trimui Brick play PSP games?
No. The Trimui Brick does not support PSP emulation. The R36S supports PSP games with mixed performance on demanding titles. If PSP gaming is important to you, the R36S is the only choice between these two.
How long does the Trimui Brick battery last?
The Trimui Brick has a 2,000mAh battery that lasts approximately 4–5 hours on GBA and SNES games. The R36S has a 3,200mAh battery that lasts 6–8 hours — approximately 3 hours more per session. For long gaming days, the R36S is the better choice.
Does the Trimui Brick come with games?
No. The Trimui Brick ships without preloaded games — you must source and load your own ROMs. The R36S ships with thousands of games ready to play out of the box, making it the better choice for beginners and gift buyers.
Which is better for Pokémon games — R36S or Trimui Brick?
Both run all GBA and Game Boy Pokémon games perfectly. The R36S has a clear practical advantage: Pokémon games are preloaded — no setup required. The R36S also has a larger screen (3.5" vs 2.8") which makes Pokémon games more enjoyable to play.
Is the Trimui Brick worth buying?
The Trimui Brick is a well-made device for its price — but its 2,000mAh battery, 2.8" screen, and lack of PSP support are significant limitations. For most buyers, the R36S at $79.99 is the better investment. The Trimui Brick is best for collectors and enthusiasts who specifically want its compact Game Boy Color-inspired design.
Which is better as a gift — R36S or Trimui Brick?
The R36S is the better gift by far. It ships ready to play with thousands of preloaded games, has longer battery life, a larger screen, and is backed by 2,837 verified reviews. The Trimui Brick requires the recipient to source their own games and has a battery that may not last a full gaming session.
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