Short answer: the ANS13 is the stronger device on paper — a larger 4-inch 720×720 screen, dual Hall-effect joysticks that resist drift, and a bigger 3,500 mAh battery good for 6-7 hours. The R36S counters with a lower price, a proven ArkOS/community firmware scene and a more compact 3.5-inch body. Choose the ANS13 for the screen and stick durability; choose the R36S for price and firmware support.
ANS13 vs R36S at a glance
| Spec | ANS13 | R36S |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 4.0″ IPS, 720×720 square | 3.5″ IPS, 640×480, 4:3 |
| Sticks | Dual Hall-effect (drift-resistant) | Standard analog |
| Chip | ARM Cortex-A35 quad-core 1.5GHz | RK3326 (Cortex-A35 class) |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh (~6-7 hrs) | ~3,200 mAh |
| Firmware | Open-source Linux | ArkOS / dArkOS, large community |
| Best for | Bigger screen, stick longevity | Lowest price, firmware choice |
The Hall-effect advantage
This is the ANS13’s clearest win. Hall-effect joysticks use magnetic sensors instead of physical contacts, so they resist the stick drift that eventually affects standard analog sticks like the R36S’s. If you play a lot of analog-heavy content — 3D PlayStation 1, N64-style games — that difference shows up over months and years of use, not on day one.
Screen: bigger and square vs smaller and 4:3
The ANS13’s 4-inch 720×720 square panel is larger and sharper, and its 1:1 shape suits Game Boy, GBA and Neo Geo Pocket content beautifully — those fill the screen natively. The R36S’s 3.5-inch 640×480 4:3 panel is the traditional retro shape and matches most console systems without letterboxing. Neither is objectively better; it depends on what you play most.
Firmware and community
The R36S has an unusually strong custom-firmware scene, with ArkOS and the newer community-recommended dArkOS both well documented — see our DarkOS guide. That matters if you like to tinker, want RetroAchievements or plan to install PortMaster ports. The ANS13 runs open-source Linux but does not have the same volume of community documentation behind it.
Performance: closer than the spec sheet suggests
Both devices are built on Cortex-A35-class silicon, so real-world emulation is broadly similar: excellent for NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, Genesis and most PlayStation 1, with N64, Dreamcast and PSP inconsistent on either. Do not expect the ANS13’s newer branding to deliver a meaningful performance jump — the advantages are the screen, the sticks and the battery.
The verdict
Buy the ANS13 if you want the bigger, sharper screen, drift-resistant Hall sticks and longer battery life. Buy the R36S if price is the priority or you value its much larger custom-firmware community. The R36 Max is another 4-inch 720×720 option with a larger 4,000 mAh battery.
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Read the full ANS13 review, or see R36 Max vs R36S.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ANS13 better than the R36S?
On specifications, largely yes — the ANS13 has a bigger 4-inch 720×720 screen, dual Hall-effect joysticks that resist drift, and a larger 3,500 mAh battery. The R36S wins on price and on the size of its custom-firmware community (ArkOS and dArkOS).
Does the ANS13 have Hall-effect sticks and the R36S not?
Correct. The ANS13 uses dual Hall-effect joysticks, which use magnetic sensors and resist drift over time. The R36S uses standard analog sticks, which can develop drift after extended use.
Do the ANS13 and R36S play the same games?
Effectively yes. Both use Cortex-A35-class chips, so both handle NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, Genesis and most PlayStation 1 well, with N64, Dreamcast and PSP inconsistent on either device.
Which has better battery life?
The ANS13, with a 3,500 mAh battery rated around 6-7 hours at medium brightness, compared to roughly 3,200 mAh on the R36S.
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