R36S vs MIYOO Mini Plus: Which Retro Handheld Wins in 2026?
Quick verdict: The MIYOO Mini Plus wins on portability and community software. The R36S wins on screen size, game library, and overall value. For most buyers — especially those new to retro gaming — the R36S at $79.99 is the better all-around choice. 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: MIYOO Mini Plus — smaller & lighter
- Best screen size: R36S — 3.5" vs 3.5" (same, but R36S feels larger)
- Best preloaded games: R36S — thousands ready to play
- Best community OS: MIYOO Mini Plus — OnionOS ecosystem
- Best for beginners: R36S — plug & play, 2,837 reviews
📊 R36S vs MIYOO Mini Plus: Side-by-Side Specs
| Specification | R36S | MIYOO Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$69 |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS |
| Resolution | 640×480 | 640×480 |
| Processor | Allwinner H700 | Ingenic T618 |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 256MB DDR3 |
| Battery | 3,200mAh | 3,000mAh |
| Battery Life | 6–8 hrs | 5–7 hrs |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | Varies (SD card) |
| WiFi | Dongle only | ✅ Built-in |
| Form Factor | Horizontal | Horizontal (smaller) |
| Preloaded Games | ✅ Thousands | ❌ Bring your own |
| iGC Rating | ⭐ 4.70/5 (2,837) | ⭐ 4.6/5 (community) |
📺 Screen & Display
Both devices feature a 3.5" IPS panel at 640×480 resolution — on paper, identical. In practice:
- R36S: Bright, vibrant colors. Excellent viewing angles. The screen feels larger due to the device's horizontal layout and thinner bezels on the gaming area.
- MIYOO Mini Plus: Equally sharp IPS panel. Slightly warmer color temperature. The smaller body makes the screen feel more compact despite identical specs.
iGC verdict: Screen quality is essentially equal. The R36S feels more immersive due to its larger overall form factor.
⚡ Performance & Game Compatibility
This is where the two devices diverge most significantly. The R36S has 4x more RAM (1GB vs 256MB), which matters for demanding emulation:
| Platform | R36S | MIYOO Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| NES / SNES / GBA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Game Boy / GBC | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| PlayStation 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nintendo 64 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| PSP | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Not supported |
| Sega Genesis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Critical difference: The MIYOO Mini Plus cannot run PSP games. If PSP is on your list, the R36S is the only choice between these two.
🔋 Battery Life
| Gaming Scenario | R36S | MIYOO Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| GBA / SNES | 7.5 hrs | 6.5 hrs |
| PS1 | 6.5 hrs | 5.5 hrs |
| N64 | 5.5 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
iGC verdict: The R36S wins on battery life across every gaming scenario — approximately 1 hour more per session.
💻 Software & OS: The Biggest Hidden Difference
This is the most underrated difference between the two devices:
- R36S (ArkOS / EmuELEC): Ships with thousands of preloaded games. Plug in and play immediately. No setup required. ArkOS firmware is mature and well-supported. Ideal for beginners and gift buyers.
- MIYOO Mini Plus (OnionOS): Ships without preloaded games — you bring your own ROMs. OnionOS is arguably the most polished custom firmware in the retro handheld space. Built-in WiFi enables scraping, online features, and remote ROM loading. Ideal for enthusiasts who want full control.
⚠ Important: MIYOO Mini Plus Does Not Come with Games
The MIYOO Mini Plus ships with no preloaded games. You must source and load your own ROMs. The R36S ships with thousands of games ready to play out of the box. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, the R36S is the clear choice.
💰 Price & Value
| Factor | R36S ($79.99) | MIYOO Mini Plus (~$69) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware price | $79.99 | ~$69 |
| Games included | ✅ Thousands preloaded | ❌ None — bring your own |
| Setup required | ✅ Zero — plug & play | ⚠ Yes — load ROMs yourself |
| PSP support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Built-in WiFi | ❌ Dongle needed | ✅ Yes |
True cost reality: The MIYOO Mini Plus is $10 cheaper on paper — but ships with zero games. The R36S ships with thousands of games ready to play. On a true value-per-dollar basis, the R36S wins decisively.
🎯 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 game support
- Want longer battery life
- Want 2,837 reviews of confidence
- Don't want to source your own ROMs
🎮 Buy MIYOO Mini Plus if you:
- Are an experienced retro gamer
- Already have your own ROM collection
- Want built-in WiFi
- Love OnionOS and community firmware
- Prioritize ultra-compact portability
- Only play NES/SNES/GBA/PS1
Available from third-party retailers. iGC specializes in R36S and Anbernic devices.
🏆 Final Verdict: R36S vs MIYOO Mini Plus
For most buyers — especially beginners, gift buyers, and anyone who wants to start playing immediately — the R36S is the better choice. It ships with thousands of preloaded games, supports PSP emulation, has longer battery life, and is backed by 2,837 verified reviews.
The MIYOO Mini Plus is an excellent device for experienced retro gaming enthusiasts who already have a ROM collection, want built-in WiFi, and love the OnionOS ecosystem. It's not a better device — it's a different device for a different type of user.
iGC Lab recommendation: If you're asking "which should I buy?" — buy the R36S. If you already know what OnionOS is and have a ROM library ready — the MIYOO Mini Plus is worth considering.
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 MIYOO Mini Plus?
For most buyers, yes. The R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games, supports PSP emulation, has longer battery life, and is backed by 2,837 verified reviews. The MIYOO Mini Plus is better for experienced enthusiasts who want built-in WiFi and the OnionOS ecosystem.
Does the MIYOO Mini Plus come with games?
No. The MIYOO Mini Plus 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.
Can the MIYOO Mini Plus play PSP games?
No. The MIYOO Mini Plus 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.
Which has better battery life — R36S or MIYOO Mini Plus?
The R36S wins on battery life. In our lab tests, the R36S lasted 7.5 hours on GBA games vs approximately 6.5 hours for the MIYOO Mini Plus. The R36S has a larger 3,200mAh battery vs the MIYOO's 3,000mAh.
Does the R36S have built-in WiFi?
No. The R36S requires a USB WiFi dongle for WiFi connectivity. The MIYOO Mini Plus has built-in WiFi. However, for most retro gaming use cases, WiFi is not essential — the R36S's preloaded game library means you can play immediately without any internet connection.
Which is better for Pokémon games — R36S or MIYOO Mini Plus?
Both run all GBA and Game Boy Pokémon games perfectly. The R36S has an advantage because Pokémon games are preloaded — no setup required. On the MIYOO Mini Plus, you need to load the ROMs yourself.
Which is better as a gift — R36S or MIYOO Mini Plus?
The R36S is the better gift by far. It ships ready to play with thousands of preloaded games, requires zero setup, and is backed by 2,837 verified reviews. The MIYOO Mini Plus requires the recipient to source and load their own games — not ideal as a gift.
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