R36S vs RG35XX Pro 2026: Which Budget Retro Handheld Should You Buy?
The R36S ($79.99) and Anbernic RG35XX Pro (~$85) are two of the most popular budget retro handhelds in 2026. They use the same Allwinner H700 processor, deliver identical performance on GBA, SNES, NES, and PS1 — and are priced within $5 of each other. So why does the R36S outsell the RG35XX Pro by a significant margin? This is the complete iGC Lab comparison — every spec, every difference, and the honest verdict.
Compared by the iGC Lab Team · Last updated: July 2026 · R36S iGC Lab-Tested
iGC #1 PICK
R36S Definitive Edition
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
Preloaded · iGC Lab-Tested · 30-day returns
Buy R36S — $79.99 →OFFICIAL ANBERNIC
Anbernic RG35XX Pro
⭐ 4.5/5 · Anbernic Official
~$85
No games · Built-in WiFi · Official brand
Available via Anbernic and third-party retailers
iGC Lab one-line verdict: Same processor, same performance — but the R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games and costs $5 less. The RG35XX Pro's only meaningful advantage is built-in WiFi and official Anbernic branding. For most buyers, the R36S is the better choice.
⚡ Quick Answer
✅ Buy the R36S ($79.99) if:
- You want preloaded games — play immediately
- You're a beginner or buying as a gift
- You want the most proven device (2,837 reviews)
- You want iGC Lab-Tested quality assurance
- You want 30-day returns from iGC
- Saving $5 matters to you
- WiFi is not important to you
✅ Buy the RG35XX Pro (~$85) if:
- You have your own ROM collection
- Built-in WiFi is important to you
- You specifically want official Anbernic hardware
- RetroAchievements via WiFi is a priority
- You're an experienced retro gaming enthusiast
📊 Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | R36S | RG35XX Pro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$85 | R36S |
| Processor | Allwinner H700 | Allwinner H700 | Tie |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 1GB DDR3 | Tie |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS 640×480 | 3.5" IPS 640×480 | Tie |
| Battery | 3,200mAh | 2,600mAh | R36S |
| WiFi | USB dongle | ✅ Built-in | RG35XX Pro |
| Preloaded games | ✅ Thousands | ❌ None | R36S |
| Dual analog sticks | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Tie |
| Firmware | ArkOS (iGC configured) | GarlicOS / Stock | R36S (pre-configured) |
| Brand | iGC Definitive Edition | Official Anbernic | Subjective |
| Verified reviews | 2,837 @ 4.70★ | Official Anbernic | R36S |
| iGC Lab-Tested | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | R36S |
Score: R36S wins 6 categories · RG35XX Pro wins 1 category · 5 ties
✅ What's Identical Between Both Devices
100% Identical on Both R36S and RG35XX Pro
- Processor: Allwinner H700
- RAM: 1GB DDR3
- Screen: 3.5" IPS 640×480
- NES performance: Perfect 60fps
- SNES performance: Perfect 60fps
- GBA performance: Perfect 60fps
- PS1 performance: Perfect 60fps
- PSP performance: Identical (mixed)
- Dual analog sticks: Both have them
- USB-C charging: Both
✅ Critical insight: The R36S and RG35XX Pro use identical hardware — same processor, same RAM, same screen resolution. Every game that runs on one device runs identically on the other. The entire comparison comes down to preloaded games, battery size, WiFi, and price.
📊 The Key Differences
💾 Preloaded Games
R36S: Thousands preloaded
RG35XX Pro: Zero games
The single most important practical difference
🔋 Battery
R36S: 3,200mAh — 7.5hr GBA
RG35XX Pro: 2,600mAh — ~6hr GBA
R36S has ~1.5hr more battery
📶 WiFi
R36S: USB dongle
RG35XX Pro: Built-in
RG35XX Pro's only clear advantage
💾 Preloaded Games — The Decisive Factor
R36S — Ships Ready to Play
- ✅ NES — Complete library
- ✅ SNES — Complete library
- ✅ GBA — Complete library
- ✅ GBC / GB — Complete library
- ✅ PS1 — Major titles
- ✅ Sega Genesis — Complete
- ✅ N64 — Selected titles
- ✅ PSP — Selected (64GB) / Full (128GB)
- ✅ DS — Full library (128GB)
Time to first game: 30 seconds
RG35XX Pro — No Games
- ❌ NES — Must source ROMs
- ❌ SNES — Must source ROMs
- ❌ GBA — Must source ROMs
- ❌ GBC / GB — Must source ROMs
- ❌ PS1 — Must source ROMs
- ❌ Sega Genesis — Must source ROMs
- ❌ N64 — Must source ROMs
- ❌ PSP — Must source ROMs
- ❌ DS — Must source ROMs
Time to first game: Hours of setup
⚠ The preloaded games reality: The RG35XX Pro and R36S have identical hardware — but the RG35XX Pro ships with zero games and costs $5 more. To play Pokémon Emerald on the RG35XX Pro, you must source the ROM file yourself. On the R36S, press A and play. For most buyers, this difference alone makes the R36S the better choice.
⚡ Performance Comparison
| Platform | R36S | RG35XX Pro | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| SNES | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| GBA / GBC | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| PlayStation 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| Sega Genesis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| Nintendo 64 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| PSP (light) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Identical — same hardware |
| PSP (demanding) | ⭐⭐ Mixed | ⭐⭐ Mixed | Identical — same hardware |
✅ Performance summary: Every platform performs identically on both devices — they use the same processor and RAM. There is no performance reason to choose one over the other. The decision is entirely about preloaded games, battery life, WiFi, and price.
🎯 Who Should Buy Which?
| Your situation | Buy this | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First retro handheld | R36S | Preloaded — play in 30 seconds |
| Buying as a gift | R36S | Ships ready to play — no setup needed |
| Want Pokémon preloaded | R36S | All Gen 1–3 preloaded — RG35XX has none |
| Want longer battery life | R36S | 3,200mAh vs 2,600mAh — 1.5hr more |
| Want most proven device | R36S | 2,837 reviews @ 4.70★ vs Anbernic official |
| Have own ROM collection | Either | Identical performance — R36S cheaper + more battery |
| Want built-in WiFi | RG35XX Pro | Only meaningful advantage over R36S |
| Want official Anbernic brand | RG35XX Pro | Official Anbernic hardware and support |
🏆 Final Verdict
For most buyers: R36S. Same processor, same performance, $5 cheaper, larger battery, and thousands of preloaded games. The RG35XX Pro costs more, has a smaller battery, and ships with zero games. The only scenario where the RG35XX Pro makes sense is if built-in WiFi or official Anbernic branding is specifically important to you.
The honest summary: The RG35XX Pro is a good device — Anbernic makes quality hardware. But when compared directly to the R36S, it loses on price, battery, and preloaded games while winning only on built-in WiFi. For the vast majority of buyers, the R36S is the better choice.
🏆 iGC PICK — MOST BUYERS
R36S Definitive Edition
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
Preloaded · 3,200mAh · Lab-Tested
Buy R36S — $79.99 →FOR BUILT-IN WIFI PRIORITY
Anbernic RG35XX Pro
⭐ 4.5/5 · Anbernic Official
~$85
Built-in WiFi · No games · 2,600mAh
Available via Anbernic official store
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the R36S better than the RG35XX Pro?
For most buyers, yes. The R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games, has a larger 3,200mAh battery, and costs $5 less. Performance is identical on both devices — they use the same Allwinner H700 processor. The RG35XX Pro's only advantage is built-in WiFi.
Do the R36S and RG35XX Pro have the same performance?
Yes — identical. Both use the Allwinner H700 processor and 1GB DDR3 RAM. Every game that runs on one device runs at the same speed on the other. NES, SNES, GBA, PS1, and light PSP all run at perfect 60fps on both devices.
Does the RG35XX Pro come with games?
No. The Anbernic RG35XX Pro ships with no preloaded games. You must source all ROM files yourself. The iGC R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games — ready to play in 30 seconds.
Why is the R36S cheaper than the RG35XX Pro if it has preloaded games?
The R36S is the iGC Definitive Edition — curated, tested, and configured by the iGC Lab team. The preloaded game library is part of the iGC value proposition. The RG35XX Pro is official Anbernic hardware sold at retail price without game content.
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