R36H vs TrimUI Brick
The TrimUI Brick is one of the hottest new budget handhelds, and it's the device most people cross-shop against the R36H. They aim at the same wallet but take very different approaches — here's how they really compare.
Quick Verdict
🏆 Buy the R36H for value and battery life; the TrimUI Brick for a premium screen and build.
The R36H gives you a bigger screen, a replaceable battery and a horizontal grip for less money. The TrimUI Brick counters with a sharper 4:3 display, a metal body and a more polished stock OS — at a higher price.
Specs at a Glance
| R36H | TrimUI Brick | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 3.5" IPS (horizontal) | 3.2" IPS, sharp 4:3 (vertical) |
| Form factor | Horizontal grip | Compact "brick" / vertical |
| Build | Plastic, lightweight | Aluminium, premium feel |
| Chip | RK3326 (RockChip) | Allwinner A133P |
| Battery | 3,000mAh, replaceable | Sealed internal battery |
| Custom firmware | ArkOS-based stock image; dArkOSRE lists R36H boards in beta | Stock OS + community CFW |
| Best at | NES–PS1, GBA, N64 (lighter) | NES–PS1, sharper 4:3 systems |
| Price tier | Lower / cheapest | Higher |
Screen & Form Factor
The Brick's 3.2" display is smaller but famously crisp, and its 4:3 shape suits older systems (NES, SNES, arcade) beautifully. The R36H's 3.5" screen is larger and its horizontal layout is more comfortable for longer sessions and for systems with shoulder-button-heavy controls like PS1 and N64.
Build & Battery
The TrimUI Brick's aluminium shell feels a class above and is genuinely pocketable. The R36H is plainer plastic, but it has a trick the Brick doesn't: a user-replaceable battery. If you play daily or travel, being able to swap in a fresh cell (and having 5–8 hours per charge) is a real advantage.
Performance & Software
Both are 8-bit-through-PS1 machines; neither is a Dreamcast/PSP powerhouse. The Brick's Allwinner chip and polished stock OS give a smooth first-time experience. The R36H ships with an ArkOS-based image on the well-documented RK3326 platform, and the dArkOSRE project lists two R36H boards in beta, so there is room to tinker once you match your board.
Our Recommendation
If your priority is the lowest price, a bigger screen, longer/replaceable battery and a huge custom-firmware community, the R36H is the smarter buy and the easiest way to start retro gaming today. If you want the sharpest little 4:3 screen and a premium metal build and don't mind paying more, the TrimUI Brick is a lovely device. For most first-time buyers, we still point to the R36H.
See also: R36H vs R36S · R36H vs Miyoo Mini Plus · R36H vs RG35XX H