R36S Overview

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Revision as of 13:01, 16 March 2026 by HandheldWiki (talk | contribs) (→Soy Sauce mainboards: dArkOSRE compatibility)
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Hardware Specification

R36S Overview
Specification
BrandGame Console
Release Date10 / 2023
Form FactorVertical
SoCRockchip RK3326
CPUCortex-A35
GPUMali-G31 MP2
RAM1GB DDR3L
Screen Size3.5"
Resolution640x480
Aspect Ratio4:3
Screen TypeIPS
OSLinux
Internal Storageno
External Storage2x microSD
WiFino
Bluetoothno
Video Outputno
SpeakerMono (1.5w 8ohm 20x30x04mm)
3.5mm Audio Jackyes
Battery3000/3200mAh
Dimensions13cm × 8.3cm × 3.5cm
Weight187g

Emulation Performance

SNES GBA PS1 NDS PSP N64 DC Saturn GC PS2 3DS Wii

Here are (almost) complete game compatibility lists for many different systems. Big thanks to Batou for all the work he has put into this!

https://github.com/GazousGit/R36S-Game-Compatibility-Lists

Battery and Charging

Some sellers state that the battery is 3500mAh, but that's not true. Usually it's a removable 3.7 V 3000 or 3200 mAh Li-ion battery (type 804066) with a standard 2-pin JST 1.25mm connector - Battery Replacement Guide

Charge the device with a 5V 1A-2A adapter and a USB-A to USB-C cable. Charging via Computer/Laptop USB ports also works fine. A full charge takes about 4 hours. The battery is full when the red charging light goes off. Don't rely on the battery indicator in the OS, because it's very inaccurate. When the battery is low the LEDs starts flashing red/green.

  • Included R36S battery - December 2024 from BOYHOM Store listing
  • Charging time with 5V1A

High Resolution 3D Render

Official User Manual

ℹ️
Info
"Key Function/Combinations" list is outdated. Please refer to the official HotKeys list of the available Custom Firmwares.

↪ R36S Hotkeys

↪ R36S Custom Firmware

Reviews

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R36S Colors

  • Manufacturer certificates and different colors - Source: Discord
Color Image Hands-on Notes
White
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Full White Release date: November 2024
Transparent Black
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Transparent Purple
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Red
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Transparent Orange
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Transparent Blue #1 (Lake Blue)
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 Sold at GameCove, LTAB Gaming Hub and since September 2024 on AliExpress
Light Grey
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 discontinued?
Transparent Blue #2
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 Release date: July 2024
Transparent Green
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 Release date: July 2024
Transparent Red
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 Release date: July 2024
Yellow
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 Release date: september 2024
Yellow with red joysticks
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 Release date: october 2024
Transparent Pink
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 		Release date: november 2024
Pink/Macaroon
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 Release date: november 2024 - Apparently these new colors are shipped with Kioxia SD cards
Blue/Dark Blue
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 Release date: november 2024 - Apparently these new colors are shipped with Kioxia SD cards
Light Blue/Sky Blue/Peacock Blue
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 Release date: november 2024 - Apparently these new colors are shipped with Kioxia SD cards
Light Green Release date: november 2024 - Apparently these new colors are shipped with Kioxia SD cards
Dark Blue/Indigo Release date: november 2024 - Apparently these new colors are shipped with Kioxia SD cards
Purple/Violet
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 Release date: november 2024 - Apparently these new colors are shipped with Kioxia SD cards
Transparent Release date: november 2025
? unreleased color

Different Display Panels / Screen / PCB Versions

Panel Comparison

Original Screen vs Panel 4 comparison

Panel 3 vs Panel 4 comparison

Tool to identify your R36S Panel version

Unofficial Handheld DTB Analysis Tool

  • works for most panel types
  • gives instructions on how to get arkos4clone working
  • Result from a Panel 4 device (R36S-V21 2024-12-18)
  • Result from a clone (G80D-MB V1.0-20250609)

    • Which Screen Do I Have? (outdated)

    "device tree blob" - They indicate to the actual driver the location and type of the display hardware (and everything else in the system), because there's no automatic discovery on ARM platforms

    Fix gamma correction on R36S Panel4

    Reddit thread with release notes and instructions: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1hmbk6g/fix_gamma_correction_on_r36s_panel4/

    R36S-V12 2023-08-18

    These usually have the original screen panel ("Panel 0").

    R36S-Y02 2024-11-27

    More images: https://handhelds.wiki/R36S-Y02_2024-11-27

    Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1iefo0m/newbie_with_temus_r36s_will_it_be_a_new/#lightbox

    R36S-Y02 2025-02-18

    This one has the original screen panel according to some users.

    Soy Sauce mainboards

    The soy sauce console one is more of a clone capable of running ArkOS than a revision

    • RAM chips are on the right side

    Y3506_V03_20241210 ("Soy Sauce")

    More images: https://handhelds.wiki/Y3506_V03_20241210

    There was a rather sweet deal of R36S on JD.com and Chinese users found out that if they combined their existing coupons and put an originally expensive R36S alongside a certain pack of soysauce from the same vendor, the R36S's price was slashed hard So this batch of R36S from the JD vendor was nicknamed the "Soysauce console" "酱油机" And this batch turned out to have this mirrored chip layout.

    Y3506_V03_20241104 ("Soy Sauce")

    Compatible with dArkOSRE

    • Y3506_V03_20241104 board - source

    Y3506_V03_20250317 ("Soy Sauce")

    Compatible with dArkOSRE

    This one is working with the standard ArkOS and Panel 6 files.

    • Y3506_V03_20250317 board - source

    Y3506_V04_20250529 ("Soy Sauce")

    Compatible with dArkOSRE

    First spotted: 08 / 2025

    Single RAM chip "Soy Sauce" R36S.

    According to this thread it's working with the standard ArkOS and Panel 6 files.

  • Image source: discord

    • 2025-07-22_1402 ("Soy Sauce")

    Panel 6

    BOOT partition including dtb file: https://mega.nz/file/tsYmUToS#QrZqX-WDGE1jmuW7ANJNhjhhfMPOb9JnVPGfycqY_us

    Y3506_V05_20251215 ("Soy Sauce")

    First spotted: 01 / 2026

    There are two variants of these devices, batch 2551 and batch 2601, each with different panels, batteries, regulators, and F1/F5 joystick-button GPIO mappings.

    This one is working with the standard ArkOS and Panel 5 files.

    dArkOS: dArkOSRE with original dtb dtb files - See dArkOSRE Wiki for installation instructions

    • Y3506_V05_20251215 board - source


    dArkOS: dArkOSRE with original dtb dtb files - See dArkOSRE Wiki for installation instructions

    • Y3506_V05_20251215 Batch 2601
      Y3506_V05_20251215 Batch 2601

    R36S-V21 2024-12-18

    • mostly shipped by BOYHOM Store
    • R36S-V21 2024-12-18
    • green LED (blinks when battery is low)
    • supports charging using a PD fast-charger
    • place for a WiFi module
    • Tool to identyify the screen version is incompatible with the files on the card, but panel 4 works according to some users
    • has gameconsole-r36s.dtb on the BOOT partition
    • also used in the R36XX

    dArkOS: dArkOSRE with original dtb files - See Wiki for installation instructions

    • R36S-V22 2024-12-18

    Updated R36S-V21 2024-12-18 version?

    If you have problems with the OTG port, use these files on your BOOT partition: Panel 4 for V22 Boards

    • Layout seems the same as R36S-V21 2024-12-18
    • PCB finish appears to be OSP instead of ENIG
    • Unpopulated unmarked SOT23-6 IC above R2 button (TVS diode array?)

    • RK3326-D3

    • Panel 4? and runs standard ArkOS
  • Source: reddit
  • Source: reddit

    • R36S-V30 2025-10-18

    New V21/V22 mainboard revision with the wifi spot. It has an extra spot to solder an USB hub similar to the newer R46H mainboard.

    Different Packaging - Boxes - Labels - Sellers

    ℹ️
    Info
    The R36S has different manufacturers across china. Some devices get shipped without screen protector, quality control sticker and the back sticker.

    Thanks to AeolusUX (u/norucus) for helping me in this section.

    • The contents often vary from manufacturer to manufacturer
    Name Image Back Label Notes
    GAME MASTER

    		These often get shipped without the stickers and screen protector.
    GAME CONSOLE ("WOW") #1
    GAME CONSOLE ("WOW") #2

    GAME CONSOLE ("WOW") #3
    GAME CONSOLE #1
    GAME CONSOLE #2

    		Device ordered on June 21, 2024 from Global Factory Selection Store on Aliexpress – Display Panel 4
    GAME CONSOLE #3
    GAME CONSOLE #4

    HANDHELD GAMECONSOLE
    POCKET BOY Packaging from GameCove
    LTAB / LTB01 GAMING CONSOLE

    		Packaging from LTAB Gaming Hub
    GAME CONSOLE ("GO") Some of the R36S Clones with different buttons (not EmuELEC clones) get shipped in these according to reddit and aliexpress reviews. (07/2024)
    GAME CONSOLE ("Assassin's Creed") Image source: Discord (12/2024)
    GAME CONSOLE 1:1 aspect ratio

    		Image on the front looks like a R36S with 1:1 screen aspect ratio, but it's a normal R36S with the standard 4:3 aspect ratio
    Consola Retro These are often V21/V22 mainboards
    Black back label Dark back label – only on EmuELEC clones and "Soy Sauce" mainboard units
    Game Consoie Early models had a typo on the back label – Game Consoie
    GAME FLEX Physical re-seller from Australia. Costs 100 AUD (Source: reddit)
    PHANTOM PULSE Physical re-seller from Australia. Costs 90 AUD (Source: reddit)
    Merry Christmas Box Sold by WUDS. (Source: reddit)
    GAMELAB Custom box by reseller. Mostly clones.
    Spiface Custom sticker from a local reseller source

    Included Games / Roms

    There are multiple different versions of the included games. Here's a full list of games that get shipped with a device that was shipped in 2024: https://github.com/manster-zz/R36S-LINKS/blob/main/misc/filtered%20file%20tree.txt

    R36S vs R36XX vs R36Plus vs R36H

    For a comparison between these devices, visit this link:

    ↪ R36S vs R36XX vs R36Plus vs R36H

    Similar Devices

    Here's a quick rundown of devices with a similar name as the R36S.

    ✅ = recommended R36S alternatives

    RK3326 SoC devices:

    • R33S (R35S/R36S in a Miyoo Mini+ shell)
    • R35S (clone of the POWKIDDY RGB20S, released 1-2 months before the R36S) ✅
    • R35XX (built-in wifi, some units have 2GB RAM, back looks identical to the R36S) ✅
    • R36H (horizontal R36S/R35S) ✅
    • R36H ProMax (horizontal - bigger R36H with 4" screen) ✅
    • R36MAX (EmuELEC/K36 clone, soccer ball menu button, square buttons, 1:1 screen)
    • R36PRO (EmuELEC/K36 clone, R36MAX with 4:3 screen)
    • R36S (probably the reason why you're here) ✅
    • R36T (EmuELEC/K36 clone, curved display overlay)
    • R36T Max (EmuELEC/K36 clone, R36T with a second joystick and 1:1 screen)
    • R36Plus (R36S with 1:1 screen) ✅
    • R36XX (newer R36S version with built-in wifi) ✅
    • R36S Pro (probably does not even exist)
    • R36 Ultra (EmuELEC/K36 clone, 1:1 screen, RGB joysticks, built-in wifi)
    • R39S (4", 16:9)
    • R39 Max (EmuELEC/K36 clone, 1:1 screen)
    • R40 (some units are EmuELEC/K36 clones)
    • R40S Pro (R36S in a rounded bottom shell) ✅
    • R40XX (bigger 4" screen) ✅
    • R40XX Pro Max (bigger 4" screen) ✅
    • R42pro (horizontal - bigger R36H with 4" screen) ✅
    • R46H (horizontal - bigger R36H with 4" screen) ✅
    • R50S (horizontal 5.1") ✅
    • R50S Ultra (EmuELEC/K36 clone, horizontal 4.5")
    • RX6H (EmuELEC/K36 clone, horizontal version of the RX6S)
    • RX6S (EmuELEC/K36 clone, vertical version of the RX6H)
    • RG36 (vertical device with left joystick on top)
    • RG36 Pro (RGB joysticks)
    • RGB36 PRO (vertical device with left joystick on top)
    • RK35H (EmuELEC/K36 clone, has built-in wifi
    • A10 mini (R35S/R36S clone in a Miyoo Mini+ shell)
    • G30 (4.3" 16:9 screen)
    • Gaminja ANS11 (EmuELEC/K36 clone)
    • Gaminja ANS13 (Some units are EmuELEC/K36 clones)
    • HG36 (EmuELEC/K36 clone, weird D-pad)
    • K36 (device from Kinhank, known for its clones)
    • K36S (EmuELEC/K36 clone, a mix of different devices)
    • L35 (EmuELEC/K36 clone, front looks like a TrimUI Brick)
    • My Mini Game Console (EmuELEC/K36 clone, shorter than a standard R36S and has a single joystick)
    • O30S (horizontal R36S/R35S-like device)
    • T16MAX (EmuELEC/K36 clone, 1:1 screen)
    • U8 (EmuELEC/K36 clone, horizontal, 4" 5:3 screen)
    • V40 MAX (EmuELEC/K36 clone, 1:1 screen)
    • V40 PRO (EmuELEC/K36 clone, V40 MAX with 4:3 screen)
    • XGB36 (EmuELEC/K36 clone, has a single joystick)
    • XF35H (EmuELEC/K36 clone, horizontal, has built-in wifi)
    • XF40H (EmuELEC/K36 clone, horizontal, 1:1 screen, has built-in wifi)
    • XF40V (EmuELEC/K36 clone, vertical version of the XF40H)
    • DC35V (EmuELEC/K36 clone, circular D-pad)
    • DC40V (EmuELEC/K36 clone, DC35V with 1:1 screen)

    RK3566 SoC devices:

    • R36Air (4", left joystick on top)
    • R40S (horizontal, 1:1 screen, very bad buttons)
    • R46S (1:1 screen, "update" to the R40S)

    Allwinner A133P SoC devices:

    • H36S (horizontal device)
    • K36 Max (R36S with 1:1 screen and different chip)

    Other SOC

    • D-R35 Plus (VT569B chip, no custom firmware support)
    • Gaminja ANS13 (some units have the Allwinner A33 chip, no custom firmware support)
    • J36 Ultra (MediaTek MT6592V chip, built-in wifi, no custom firmware support)
    • R350 (same chip as the D-R35 Plus, no custom firmware support)
    • R36S Plus (Really bad device. Terrible D-pad, awful software, has the weak Allwinner F1C200S chip, no custom firmware support.)
    • R36HD (weak chip (HiChip C3100?), GB350 clone, no custom firmware support)
    • R36VX (Allwinner A33 chip, lanyard hole, no custom firmware support)
    • R40 (some units have the same board as the GB350 clones, no custom firmware support)
    • RG36 Pro (some units feature either a MediaTek MT6592V or a MT6735V chip, with both variants having no custom firmware support)
    • R43S (horizontal, RK3128, no custom firmware support)
    Retrieved from "https://handhelds.wiki/index.php?title=R36S_Overview&oldid=50416"