R36H Pro Max vs R36S: Bigger Horizontal Screen or Pocket-Size Classic?

The R36H Pro Max and the R36S share the Rockchip RK3326 chip, so they play the same systems. The Pro Max adds a 4.2-inch 1024×768 screen, built-in Wi-Fi and a horizontal grip; the R36S is the smaller, vertical, Game Boy-style option. Here is how they compare and which one to buy.

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The R36H Pro Max, also referred to as the R45H, is the larger horizontal model; the R36S is the original vertical design. Neither is faster. The decision comes down to screen, shape, Wi-Fi and how much you trust the exact unit you receive.

We have not measured either device. Pro Max figures come from our Pro Max spec table (Notebookcheck, Retrohandhelds, Tech Tactician); R36S figures come from our R36H vs R36S comparison.

Quick Verdict

R36H Pro Max vs R36S Specs

A dash means we have no verified figure for that model. Pixel density is our own arithmetic from screen size and resolution, not a measurement.

Same Chip, Same Games

Because both run the RK3326, neither unlocks a system the other cannot play. NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, GBA and PlayStation are the comfortable range on both. Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP and Nintendo DS are hit-and-miss on any RK3326 device.

The Screen: Where the Pro Max Pulls Ahead

The Pro Max's 4.2-inch 1024×768 panel is the single biggest hardware difference. Both keep the 4:3 shape classic games were made for. On the Pro Max each game pixel is drawn with more screen pixels, so scaling is cleaner and small menu text is easier to read, which suits text-heavy RPGs. More pixels make games look sharper, not run faster.

Shape, Size and Controls

The Pro Max is horizontal, so your hands sit either side of the screen like a modern controller. The R36S is vertical, with the screen above the controls in the style of the original Game Boy. Vertical devices pocket more easily and suit short sessions; horizontal ones are usually more comfortable for long ones. At about 216 g the Pro Max is a bag console rather than a pocket one.

Both have two analog sticks; the Pro Max adds stacked shoulder buttons.

Wi-Fi, Battery and Storage

The Pro Max has built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, mainly useful for updates and scraping box art; our R36H Wi-Fi guide explains more. Our R36S data lists no Wi-Fi, so check the listing. You do not need Wi-Fi to play games stored on the card.

The Pro Max is rated at 3500mAh and has two microSD slots. R36S battery figures vary between listings, so read the specification on the exact listing you buy from.

Buying Risk: Clones and Loose Naming

The R36S has a well-known clone problem: look-alike units with different boards can need different firmware and are harder to support. The Pro Max risk is naming: sellers use “Pro Max” loosely, so compare the listing's screen size and resolution with the table above. Retrohandhelds' owner feedback on early Pro Max units also mentions loose battery connectors and buttons. Our board check guide explains how to tell a Pro Max from a standard R36H.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose the R36H Pro Max if screen size matters most, you play long sessions at home or on trips, or you want Wi-Fi for updates and box art without a dongle.

Choose the R36S if the console needs to fit a jacket pocket, you like the vertical Game Boy layout, or your sessions are short. You give up no emulation capability, but take extra care over clone boards.

If you want the horizontal grip in a smaller, better-documented body, the standard R36H sits between the two: same chip, same 3.5-inch screen as the R36S, landscape layout. See R36H vs R36S.

Frequently Asked Questions

See also: R36H vs R36H Pro Max · R36H vs R36S · All comparisons