R36H vs R36 Ultra
Both use the same RK3326 chip and 3.5" IPS display. The R36 Ultra has a vertical form factor while the R36H is horizontal. The R36H has a replaceable battery while the Ultra doesn't.
Quick Verdict
🏆 Check the actual chipset before paying more for an 'Ultra'.
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.
A Name That Promises More Than It Always Delivers
The word Ultra suggests a straightforward upgrade, but within this family of budget handhelds model naming is not standardised, and devices sold under similar names have shipped with different internals at different times. That makes this the one comparison where the most useful advice is procedural rather than technical: read the specification on the listing you are actually buying from, and specifically look for the chipset, the RAM figure, and the screen resolution.
What Would Constitute A Real Upgrade
A meaningful step up from the R36H's RK3326 would show itself in one of three ways. A processor using Cortex-A53 or newer performance cores rather than the A35's efficiency cores would improve the systems where the R36H struggles — Nintendo 64 and above. More than 1GB of RAM would help with heavier emulators. A higher-resolution screen would sharpen everything. If a listing claims Ultra status but reports the same RK3326, the same 1GB, and the same 640×480 panel, then whatever has changed is cosmetic and will not affect how games run.
| R36H | 'Ultra' variants | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Rockchip RK3326 (Cortex-A35) | Varies by listing — verify before buying |
| What to check | Known and consistent | Chipset, RAM, screen resolution |
| Realistic ceiling | PlayStation comfortable | Same, unless the chipset genuinely differs |
| Firmware | ArkOS, ROCKNIX, JELOS | Depends on the exact hardware revision |
The Practical Recommendation
If the two devices report the same chipset, buy whichever is cheaper or whichever shape you prefer, because their performance will match. If the Ultra genuinely lists a faster processor and more memory, then it is a real upgrade and worth the difference — particularly if Nintendo 64 matters to you, since that is precisely where the RK3326 runs out of headroom.
Custom firmware support is not guaranteed on newer revisions
ArkOS, ROCKNIX and JELOS are maintained by volunteers and need explicit support for each hardware revision. A brand-new variant can spend months without a working build, leaving you on the stock firmware. The R36H's advantage here is that support already exists.
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.