R36S ($79.99) vs TrimUI Smart Pro (~$55) — two popular budget retro handhelds at different price points. iGC verdict after lab testing: R36S wins for most buyers. The $25 price difference buys dual analog sticks, 6,000+ preloaded games, and N64/PS1 3D gaming.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Editorial Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
📊 Full Comparison Table
| Feature | R36S | TrimUI Smart Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$55 |
| Analog sticks | ✅ Dual | ❌ None |
| N64 3D gaming | ✅ 97% | ❌ No |
| PS1 3D gaming | ✅ 100% | ⚠️ Limited |
| Preloaded games | 6,000+ | 0 |
| GBA / SNES / NES | ✅ 100% | ✅ 100% |
| WiFi | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Battery life | 6.5h (GBA) | ~6h |
| Screen size | 3.5" | 4.96" |
| OS | Linux (EmulationStation) | Linux (TrimUI OS) |
| Reviews | 4.69/5 (6,860) | 4.2/5 (limited) |
| iGC Verdict | 🏆 Winner | 2D-only users |
🤔 The Key Difference: Analog Sticks
- Mario 64 ✅ (camera control)
- Zelda OoT ✅ (Z-targeting)
- GoldenEye ✅ (dual stick aiming)
- Tekken 3 ✅ (full controls)
- Crash Bandicoot ✅ (3D movement)
- Mario 64 ❌ (no camera)
- Zelda OoT ❌ (no Z-targeting)
- GoldenEye ❌ (no aiming)
- N64 3D games ❌ unplayable
- GBA/SNES/NES ✅ fine
💰 The $25 Price Difference — Is It Worth It?
TrimUI Smart Pro costs ~$55. R36S costs $79.99. The $25 difference buys:
🔍 Who Should Buy Each?
- You want N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda)
- You want PS1 3D games (Tekken, Crash)
- You want 6,000+ preloaded games
- You're a first-time buyer
- You want the best value under $100
- You ONLY play 2D games (GBA/SNES/NES)
- WiFi is essential for you
- You want a larger screen
- You're comfortable with ROM setup
- Budget is strictly under $60
❓ FAQ
R36S wins for most buyers. R36S has dual analog sticks ($79.99) enabling N64 and PS1 3D gaming, plus 6,000+ preloaded games. TrimUI Smart Pro has no analog sticks (~$55) and requires ROM setup. For $25 more, R36S is significantly better.
No. TrimUI Smart Pro does not have analog sticks. This means it cannot properly play N64 3D games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT) or PS1 3D games that require analog input. R36S has dual analog sticks for $79.99.
TrimUI Smart Pro has a larger screen and WiFi. But R36S wins overall: dual analog sticks, 6,000+ preloaded games, better reviews (4.69/5 vs 4.2/5), and 30-day returns. For most buyers, R36S is the better choice.
R36S costs $79.99. TrimUI Smart Pro costs ~$55. The $25 difference buys dual analog sticks, N64 3D gaming, 6,000+ preloaded games, and 30-day returns. iGC verdict: the $25 premium is worth it.
TrimUI Smart Pro can run N64 ROMs but without analog sticks, 3D N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT, GoldenEye) are unplayable. R36S has dual analog sticks that map perfectly to N64 controls for proper 3D gaming.
