Short answer: all three are built on RK3326-class hardware, so they play the same games at the same speed. The R36S has a compact 3.5-inch 4:3 screen; the R36 Max and R36 Ultra both have a square 4-inch 720×720 screen that shows Game Boy and GBA larger. The Max has the biggest battery (4,000 mAh) and no wireless; the Ultra adds Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and RetroAchievements. Buy the R36S for pocket size, the Max for battery, or the Ultra for wireless features.
R36 family at a glance
| Spec | R36S | R36 Max | R36 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 3.5″ 640×480, 4:3 | 4.0″ 720×720, square | 4.0″ 720×720, square |
| Chip / RAM | RK3326 / 1 GB | RK3326 / 1 GB | RK3326-class |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 4,000 mAh | ~3,000 mAh |
| Wireless | None | None | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth |
| Sticks | Dual analog | Dual analog | Dual analog, RGB-lit |
| Extras | Largest firmware community | — | RetroAchievements, tempered glass |
Specifications from Retro Catalog, the Handhelds wiki and current Amazon listings, checked September 2026. Hardware sold under R36 names varies by seller.
Performance: where they actually differ
For NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation 1, all three play essentially identically — the classics run great on every model. All three are built on the same RK3326-class silicon, so none of them runs Nintendo 64, PSP or Dreamcast meaningfully better than the others — those remain game by game on every model. If your library stops around PS1, you do not need to pay for the top models.
R36S: the value entry
The R36S delivers the whole 8-bit-to-PS1 experience at the lowest price, in a comfortable horizontal body with analog sticks. It is the classic budget recommendation and remains excellent for most retro fans. Just make sure you buy a genuine unit — see our how to spot a fake R36S guide.
R36 Max: the balanced pick
The R36 Max keeps the R36S’s chip but swaps in a square 4-inch 720×720 screen and a 4,000 mAh battery. Game Boy and GBA games scale noticeably larger on it; 4:3 console games end up about the same size as on the R36S. It is the pick for handheld-system fans who play offline. R36 Max vs R36S explains the screen maths.
R36 Ultra: the feature flagship
The R36 Ultra is the most feature-complete of the three, adding Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, RGB analog sticks, RetroAchievements support, a tempered-glass screen and split eMMC/TF storage. It is worth the extra outlay mainly if you want those extras — it shares the R36 Max’s screen, so its edge is wireless features, not the display or raw power.
The verdict
Buy the R36S for the smallest body and the biggest firmware community. Buy the R36 Max if you play a lot of Game Boy and GBA offline and want the largest battery. Buy the R36 Ultra if RetroAchievements, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi updates matter to you.
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Comparing just two? See R36 Max vs R36S, or set one up with our R36S setup guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the R36S, R36 Max and R36 Ultra?
All three use RK3326-class hardware. The R36S has a 3.5-inch 4:3 screen and 3,500 mAh battery; the R36 Max has a square 4-inch 720×720 screen and 4,000 mAh battery; the R36 Ultra shares that square screen and adds Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RetroAchievements and tempered glass with a smaller battery.
Is the R36 Ultra worth it over the R36 Max?
Only if you want its wireless features — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and RetroAchievements — or its tempered-glass front. The screen and performance are the same, and the R36 Max has the bigger battery.
Do the R36 models play the same games?
Yes. They share RK3326-class silicon, so NES through PlayStation 1 runs the same on all three, and Nintendo 64, PSP and Dreamcast are game by game on every model.
Which R36 model is best value?
The R36S, if what you play is mostly SNES, Genesis and PlayStation 1 — the bigger models add screen shape, battery or wireless features, not performance.
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