R36H vs Miyoo Mini Plus
The Miyoo Mini Plus is ultra-compact (3.5" vs R36H's 3.5") with a different chip (Allwinner A30). The Miyoo runs OnionOS. The R36H has dual analog sticks, the Miyoo doesn't.
Quick Verdict
🏆 R36H for analog control, Miyoo Mini Plus for pocketability and polish.
Both devices emulate the 8-bit, 16-bit and PlayStation eras at full speed, so the decision rests on ergonomics, controls and the newest system you actually intend to play.
Two Genuinely Different Design Philosophies
This is a more interesting comparison than the specification sheets suggest, because the two devices optimise for opposite things. The Miyoo Mini Plus is built around being as small as a capable handheld can reasonably be, and its software — OnionOS — is widely regarded as the most polished frontend in the budget category. The R36H is built around being comfortable to hold and having a full modern control layout.
The Analog Stick Question Decides It For Many People
The Miyoo Mini Plus has no analog sticks. For everything up to and including the 16-bit era that is irrelevant — those systems used digital pads exclusively. It becomes decisive the moment you reach PlayStation, where a meaningful part of the library either benefits from analog control or, in a few cases, requires it outright. The R36H's two sticks make that whole catalogue available without compromise. If your interest stops at Super Nintendo and Game Boy Advance, this difference genuinely does not matter.
| R36H | Miyoo Mini Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Rockchip RK3326 | Allwinner A30 |
| Layout | Horizontal | Vertical, notably compact |
| Analog sticks | Two | None |
| Shoulder buttons | Four (L1/L2/R1/R2) | Two |
| Software reputation | ArkOS / ROCKNIX / JELOS | OnionOS — highly regarded |
Software Is The Miyoo's Real Advantage
It is worth being honest about this. OnionOS is well designed, actively maintained and pleasant to use out of the box, whereas getting the best from the R36H usually means installing custom firmware yourself. If you want a device that is excellent immediately with no configuration, that counts in the Miyoo's favour. If you are comfortable spending an evening setting things up, the R36H's better controls and larger grip area are the more durable advantages.
Match the device to the newest system you actually play
People consistently overestimate how much they will play the demanding systems and underestimate how much they will play 8-bit and 16-bit games. If an honest look at your habits stops at the Game Boy Advance, the smaller device may serve you better.
How To Decide
Handhelds in this class are separated by three things far more than by raw specifications: the shape you are comfortable holding, the software you are willing to maintain, and the newest system you genuinely intend to play. Deciding those three in advance narrows the field faster than any spec sheet comparison, because most devices at this level emulate everything up to PlayStation competently and differ mainly in how pleasant they are to live with.
Get the R36H Today
15,000+ retro games, dual microSD slots, replaceable battery.