Short answer: the XF40H is the more capable device — a 4-inch screen, a faster RK3566 chip, built-in Wi-Fi and a larger 4,000 mAh battery, with a big preloaded library. The R36S is smaller, cheaper and backed by a much stronger custom-firmware community. Choose the XF40H for the bigger screen, Wi-Fi and extra headroom; choose the R36S to spend less or to run ArkOS/dArkOS.
XF40H vs R36S at a glance
| Spec | XF40H | R36S |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 4.0″ | 3.5″ IPS, 640×480, 4:3 |
| Chip | RK3566 (faster) | RK3326 |
| Battery | ~4,000 mAh | ~3,200 mAh |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Limited / none |
| Firmware scene | Smaller | ArkOS / dArkOS, very active |
| Best for | Screen, Wi-Fi, headroom | Price, firmware choice |
Where the XF40H pulls ahead
The RK3566 chip gives the XF40H more headroom than the R36S’s RK3326, which shows up on demanding PlayStation 1 titles and light Nintendo 64 rather than on the 8- and 16-bit catalogue where both are flawless. The larger 4-inch screen is easier on the eyes for long sessions, and the bigger battery supports that extra brightness. Built-in Wi-Fi is genuinely useful too — it enables cover-art scraping, firmware updates and, on supported setups, RetroAchievements.
Where the R36S still wins
Price is the obvious one: the R36S remains one of the cheapest capable handhelds available. The less obvious but arguably bigger advantage is its firmware ecosystem. ArkOS and the newer community-recommended dArkOS are extremely well documented for the R36S, giving you a clear upgrade path, PortMaster support and active community help — see our DarkOS guide. Smaller devices like the XF40H do not have that depth of community behind them.
Which should you buy?
Buy the XF40H if you want a bigger screen, Wi-Fi and a bit more performance headroom out of the box. Buy the R36S if you want the lowest price or plan to flash custom firmware and want the best-supported device for it. Whichever you choose, verify you are getting genuine hardware — see how to spot a fake R36S.
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Want the family picture? See R36 Ultra vs R36S vs R36 Max.
Frequently asked questions
Is the XF40H better than the R36S?
In hardware terms, mostly yes — a 4-inch screen, faster RK3566 chip, built-in Wi-Fi and a larger 4,000 mAh battery. The R36S wins on price and on its far more developed custom-firmware community.
Does the XF40H have Wi-Fi?
Yes, the XF40H includes built-in Wi-Fi, which enables cover-art scraping, firmware updates and online features. Wi-Fi support on the R36S is limited by comparison.
Do the XF40H and R36S play the same games?
Both handle NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, Genesis and most PlayStation 1 comfortably. The XF40H's faster RK3566 chip gives it more headroom on demanding PS1 titles and light Nintendo 64.
Which is better for custom firmware?
The R36S, clearly. ArkOS and dArkOS are extensively documented for it with a large community, while the XF40H has a much smaller firmware scene.
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