R36S vs Retroid Pocket Flip 2: $80 vs $219 — Honest Comparison
The R36S costs $79.99. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 costs ~$219. That's a $139 difference. Is the Retroid worth 2.7x more? We tested both for 30 days. Here is the honest answer — including exactly what you get for the extra $139.
⏱ 30-Second Answer
| Spec | R36S | Retroid Pocket Flip 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog Sticks | Dual analog ✅ | Dual analog ✅ | Tie |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS 640×480 | 4.7" OLED 1080×720 ✅ | 🏆 Retroid |
| Processor | RK3326 1.5GHz | D900 2.0GHz ✅ | 🏆 Retroid |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 4GB LPDDR4 ✅ | 🏆 Retroid |
| OS | ArkOS (Linux) | Android 13 ✅ | 🏆 Retroid |
| Design | Fixed | Foldable clamshell ✅ | 🏆 Retroid |
| Price | $79.99 ✅ | ~$219 | 🏆 R36S |
| Pre-loaded Games | 15,000+ ✅ | ~0 (download yourself) | 🏆 R36S |
| Setup Required | Zero ✅ | Moderate setup needed | 🏆 R36S |
| Buyer Reviews | 4.70★ / 2,837 ✅ | 4.65★ / 121 | 🏆 R36S |
| System | R36S | Retroid Pocket Flip 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | Tie |
| SNES | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | Tie |
| PS1 | 97% · 60fps | 99% · 60fps | Tie (both excellent) |
| N64 | 90% | 95% | Tie (both good) |
| PSP | 78% | 95% ✅ | 🏆 Retroid |
| GameCube | ❌ Not supported | 70% ✅ | 🏆 Retroid only |
| Wii | ❌ Not supported | 65% ✅ | 🏆 Retroid only |
| PS2 | ❌ Not supported | 60% ✅ | 🏆 Retroid only |
| Android Apps | ❌ Not supported | Full Android 13 ✅ | 🏆 Retroid only |
What You Get for $139 More (Retroid vs R36S)
✅ iGC honest assessment: The $139 buys real upgrades — OLED screen, GameCube/Wii/PS2, Android apps. If you want those things, the Retroid is worth every dollar. If you mainly play GBA, SNES, PS1, and N64 — the R36S does all of that equally well for $139 less.
🏆 Buy R36S ($79.99) If...
- Budget is under $100
- You want GBA, SNES, PS1, N64
- You want zero setup (plug and play)
- You want 15,000+ games pre-loaded
- Buying as a gift
- First retro handheld purchase
- You don't need GameCube/Wii/PS2
🏆 Buy Retroid Flip 2 (~$219) If...
- Budget allows $200+
- You want GameCube or Wii games
- You want PS2 games
- You want OLED screen
- You want Android apps (Netflix etc)
- You want foldable design
- You're a serious retro gaming enthusiast
⚡ Different Devices for Different Buyers
The R36S and Retroid Pocket Flip 2 are not really competing — they serve different buyers. The R36S is the best retro handheld under $100. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is the best retro handheld under $250. Both are excellent at what they do.
If your budget is under $150, buy the R36S. It does GBA, SNES, PS1, and N64 perfectly for $79.99. If your budget is $200+ and you want GameCube, Wii, PS2, or Android apps, the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is worth the premium.
The mistake to avoid: Don't buy the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 expecting GameCube and Wii to run perfectly — compatibility is 65-70%, not 100%. And don't buy the R36S expecting PS2 or GameCube — it cannot run those systems at all.
🏆 iGC Budget Pick: R36S — $79.99
Best under $100 · 15,000+ games · Zero setup · 4.70★ from 2,837 buyers
→ Shop R36S — $79.99 R36S Full Review📖 See also: R36S vs Miyoo Mini+ · Best Under $100 · R36S 30-Day Review
