• Overview
• Specification
• Reviews
• Different Display Panels / Screen Versions
• Different Colors
• Different Boxes and Labels
• Clone of a Clone of a Clone?
• R36S Clone / Revision
• EmuELEC Clone
• R33S
• R35S
• More Clones or Similar Devices

[!NOTE] "Key Function/Combinations" list is outdated. Please refer to the official HotKeys list of the available Custom Firmwares.

Brand: GAME CONSOLE | GAME STATION | POCKET BOY

📅Release date: 10 / 2023

💰Price: ~$40 (on aliexpress sale sometimes only around $25)

¹ 🔋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

² needs confirmation

[!CAUTION] There are at least 5 different screen versions for the R36S that often cause problems while setting up the SD card with the Custom Firmware (black screen).

You need to use the correct .dtb file. After flashing ArkOS Community Maintained Image to the SD card and before booting up your device, replace the 📄rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb file in the 📁BOOT partition with the one from your original/stock SD card (see Backup).

In case you didn't backup you original 📄rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb file, here's a link to all the different versions : R36S-Device Tree Blob

Rename your original 📄rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb to 📄rk3326-rg351mp-linux.dtb and replace this file on the 📁AMBRELC partition.

• Try the Panel 4 (V5) version of ArkOS Community Maintained Image
• Make sure you are using the correct dtb file with the correct name
• Re-flash every time you try a different .dtb
• Replace the .dtb file before booting up the first time
• Delete the .dtb file first instead of replacing it
• Use a different tool for flashing (Rufus, Win32DiskImager, ApplePi-Baker). balenaEtcher is not recommended
• Flash the firmware image on a different PC

Which Screen Do I Have?

"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 (source)

Click on the images to get to the comparison test

Color	Preview	Hands-on	Notes
White
Transparent Black
Transparent purple
Red
Transparent Orange
Transparent Blue #1			only sold at GameCove and LTAB Gaming Hub
Light Grey			discontinued
Transparent Blue #2			first seen in middle of July 2024
Transparent Green			first seen in middle of July 2024
Transparent Red			first seen at the end of July 2024
?			unreleased color

[!NOTE] The R36S has different manufacturers across china. Some devices get shipped without screen protector, quality control sticker and the back sticker. Earlier models even had a typo on the back label, Consoie instead of Console.

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

This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Box	Preview	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			One of my devices. 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 get shipped in these according to reddit and aliexpress reviews. (07/2024)

If you have a new one, or one of the missing back labels, please share them here.

The R36S is the successor of the R35S, which is a clone of the Powkiddy RGB20S, which is basically a clone of the ANBERNIC RG351MP.

In June of 2024, vendor(s) on aliexpress were sending out new R36S clones (backlabel is R35S+ or R36S+) with a few differences to the original R36S. There are discussions on reddit here, here and here about these newer devices. Known changes are:

• The holes around the joysticks are smaller
• Labels on the buttons are thinner
• Different joysticks
• Original screen version
• The buttons feel different
• Some have a green LED light instead of blue

It's unclear where/how those clones are sold. If you look at "Data Frog R36S" listings on aliexpress, and check the review pics, you can spot a few of these clones there. Clones are also found in the reviews from 3C MOKER Store (July 2024).

First spotted: 08 / 2024

Known differences:

• Onboard storage for the OS
• Uses the same firmware as the Gaminja/Kinhank K36 (EmuELEC ES V4.7)
• ArkOS/AmberELEC not working (as of August 24, 2024)
• Charging animation when the device is turned off

Sources:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Handhelds/comments/1eoa25l/needing_help_from_fellow_r36s_owners_i_have_just/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1emqh3b/new_sd_card_can_not_boot/
• https://discord.gg/retrohandhelds

Release date: 01 / 2024

The R33S is basically a R36S in a Miyoo Mini+ shell. This means that this clone is more powerful than the MM+.

Release date: 09 / 2023

Predecessor of the R36S. The R35S is a bit shorter and has a different button layout than the R36S.

Release date: 06 / 2024

A bad Powkiddy RGB30 clone.

Release date: 07 / 2024

Exactly the same as the R36S aside from the rounded bottom. Not to confuse with the R40S.

Release date: ?

5-inch Horizontal device

Horizontal device, board says R30S twice.

Release date: 07 / 2024