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expiredRevOne | Staff posted Jun 22, 2024 06:46 PM
expiredRevOne | Staff posted Jun 22, 2024 06:46 PM

Retro Emulation Handhelds: R36S (3.5" 480p, RK3326, 1GB RAM, 64GB microSD)

(Existing Customers Only) & More

$22

$87

74% off
AliExpress
181 Comments 103,936 Views
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Deal Details
Cutesliving Store via AliExpress has select Retro Emulation Handhelds on sale below when you apply promo code ETA9 or OZTALKS9 during checkout valid for Existing Customers Only. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Editor RevOne for sharing this deal.

Available (prices below are after code ETA9 or OZTALKS9):
  • R36S w/ 64GB microSD Card from $21.61
    • 3.5" 640x480 IPS display
    • Rockchip RK3326 chipset
    • 1GB DDR3 RAM
    • Dual joysticks
    • 3200mAh removable battery
    • 2x USB-C ports
    • 2x microSD card slots
    • 3.5mm headphone jack
    • Linux operating system (ArkOS)
    • No WiFi / Bluetooth
  • Anbernic RG35XX H w/ 64GB microSD Card + 128GB microSD Card from $37.90 -> now $36.90
    • 3.5" 640x480 IPS display
    • Allwinner H700 chipset
    • 1GB DDR4 RAM
    • Dual joysticks
    • 2x micro SD card slots
    • 2x USB-C ports
    • Mini HDMI port (for output to TV/monitor)
    • 802.11ac WiFi 5 |Bluetooth 4.2
      • (for connecting Bluetooth controllers only, does not support Bluetooth audio)
    • 3300mAh battery
  • TrimUI Smart Pro from $42.57
    • 4.96" 1280x720 IPS HD display
    • Allwinner A133Plus processor
    • 1GB DDR4 RAM
    • 8GB built-in storage (for the firmware)
    • Dual joysticks w/ RGB LED lighting
    • microSD card slot (for the games)
    • Stereo speakers
    • 3.5mm headphone jack
    • 2.4GHz WiFi / Bluetooth
      • (w/ Bluetooth headphone/speaker support now an added function on the latest 1.4 firmware)
    • USB-C port
    • 5000mAh battery
    • Linux operating system

Factory Direct Collected Store via AliExpress also has TrimUI Smart Pro Retro Emulation Handheld (various colors) on sale from $41.76 when you apply promo code ETA9 or OZTALKS9 during checkout valid for Existing Customers Only. Shipping is free.

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff
  • This price for the R36S is ~$5.20 Lower than our recent Frontpage Deal.
  • Offer valid for a limited time only / while supplies last.
  • Please see the original post for additional details & refer to the forum thread for discussion.

Original Post

Written by RevOne | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Cutesliving Store via AliExpress has select Retro Emulation Handhelds on sale below when you apply promo code ETA9 or OZTALKS9 during checkout valid for Existing Customers Only. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Editor RevOne for sharing this deal.

Available (prices below are after code ETA9 or OZTALKS9):
  • R36S w/ 64GB microSD Card from $21.61
    • 3.5" 640x480 IPS display
    • Rockchip RK3326 chipset
    • 1GB DDR3 RAM
    • Dual joysticks
    • 3200mAh removable battery
    • 2x USB-C ports
    • 2x microSD card slots
    • 3.5mm headphone jack
    • Linux operating system (ArkOS)
    • No WiFi / Bluetooth
  • Anbernic RG35XX H w/ 64GB microSD Card + 128GB microSD Card from $37.90 -> now $36.90
    • 3.5" 640x480 IPS display
    • Allwinner H700 chipset
    • 1GB DDR4 RAM
    • Dual joysticks
    • 2x micro SD card slots
    • 2x USB-C ports
    • Mini HDMI port (for output to TV/monitor)
    • 802.11ac WiFi 5 |Bluetooth 4.2
      • (for connecting Bluetooth controllers only, does not support Bluetooth audio)
    • 3300mAh battery
  • TrimUI Smart Pro from $42.57
    • 4.96" 1280x720 IPS HD display
    • Allwinner A133Plus processor
    • 1GB DDR4 RAM
    • 8GB built-in storage (for the firmware)
    • Dual joysticks w/ RGB LED lighting
    • microSD card slot (for the games)
    • Stereo speakers
    • 3.5mm headphone jack
    • 2.4GHz WiFi / Bluetooth
      • (w/ Bluetooth headphone/speaker support now an added function on the latest 1.4 firmware)
    • USB-C port
    • 5000mAh battery
    • Linux operating system

Factory Direct Collected Store via AliExpress also has TrimUI Smart Pro Retro Emulation Handheld (various colors) on sale from $41.76 when you apply promo code ETA9 or OZTALKS9 during checkout valid for Existing Customers Only. Shipping is free.

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff
  • This price for the R36S is ~$5.20 Lower than our recent Frontpage Deal.
  • Offer valid for a limited time only / while supplies last.
  • Please see the original post for additional details & refer to the forum thread for discussion.

Original Post

Written by RevOne | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+78
Good Deal
Visit AliExpress

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Top Comments

RevOne
20920 Posts
34217 Reputation
Check the pinned comment on Russ' video, in case you hadn't gotten the chance to see it yet. He added an update later because the TrimUI Smart Pro has a switch located on the bottom-left of the device that toggled Power-Saving mode on/off. He happened to have his turned on during testing, which impacted his review.

In the new 1.0.4 firmware update (can be downloaded from either TrimUI's site directly but it's slow or from GitHub, which is faster), the switch isn't set up to control Power-Saving mode by default. You can actually go into a dedicated app called "FNkey settings" and assign a different function to it like CPU Performance mode or set it to toggle the RGB lights on the joysticks on/off, etc..
TechDweeb mentions the switch (and how having Power-Savimg mode toggled on impacts performance on the higher end) in his review of this device.

This individual (below) uploaded a video with the latest 1.0.4 update applied and showed what settings he uses for PSP, as well as showcases a number of games (some work better than others). It doesn't have the horsepower to run every single game from the PSP library, but the video highlights a few examples of how certain titles ran after a bit of tweaking with a few settings in the PSP emulator app (PPSSPP):
https://youtu.be/PKljx1EGJDo?si=MtIXRCVkHBzHanpl

I think for (mostly, with some exceptions) no-compromise PSP emulation with the ability to even upscale some games, the T618 chipset devices (RG505, RG405V, Retroid Pocket 3+, etc.) are probably a safer bet. But if you're someone who already owns a TrimUI Smart Pro, applying the 1.0.4 update and using the settings in that video above can help to get the most that's possible out of that device (when it comes to running PSP on that particular hardware). For anyone that may apply to, just be sure to check the settings for what firmware version your unit is on when it arrives; in the event they may be manufacturing them with the latest firmware already installed.
RevOne
20920 Posts
34217 Reputation
Hi sarcasmogratis 😊Š If I may, I can't speak for anyone else on SD (staff or non-staff), but I think I can probably help clear up a bit why it is that I personally have been posting Cutesliving Store in the frequency with which I have in recent months.

In this particular case, the main store (AliExpress) is hosting a sitewide (what they're calling) "Summer Sale" that's running from 6/17 through tonight at 12am PT.
When it comes to AliExpress, I only post this specific category of products (retro handhelds) from their website; mostly because it's one of the places in the retro handheld scene where people can usually find the lowest prices.
Given the Summer Sale has so many of these items at a decent discount even before coupons are factored in, I try to find the lowest possible price I can, but - as SD staff - that isn't the only factor I take under consideration.

I try to find the balance between limiting what I post to certain parameters:
- the store(s) that have the lowest price
- have at least a 95% (or higher) customer feedback rating
- have been open for at least a few years
- Are AliExpress "Choice" offers (AliExpress fulfills the order, kind of like third-party seller goods that are marked "Fulfilled by Amazon" on Amazon). I allow one exception for something not being a Choice offer: if it's the manufacturer's official AliExpress storefront (Powkiddy for instance doesn't do "Choice" offers, they ship direct to the customer themselves).
- Finally, is not a store with the naming scheme "Shop" or "Store" followed by a bunch of random numbers. These are not always, but at times in the past have been, associated with potential scams (the seller ships something that isn't the item your ordered).

If the store meets that criteria, it's fair game to me (no loyalty to keeping it limited to Cutesliving Store whatsoever). For example, I've come across another store in the past day named "Factory Direct Collected Store" that appears to have prices on these that rival Cutesliving's and falls into the criteria outlined above, so I'll likely start posting them as well.

Since Cutesliving Store had already been posted on SD prior to when I began posting them and people seem to have reported mostly positive results with them, if I see another store that is a Choice offer and has the same/close price to Cutesliving Store but has a lower customer feedback rating, I'll go with posting Cutesliving.
But I'll also post from other stores on AliExpress that sell these; like Anbernic Official Store, Powkiddy Official Store, Anbernic Direct Store, and so on. Whoever has the best price but also isn't a seller with like a sub-94% feedback rating or other factor that gives me pause. Since these ship from overseas, and even Cutesliving Store isn't perfect, I just try to play it as safe as possible with what I post from AliExpress.

It just ends up working out that Cutesliving Store has had a strong showing during this particular (and other recent) sale(s). And since not all the sellers on AliExpress carry these devices, that limits the range of stores that it's possible to post offers for them from. Sometimes, a seller might have good ratings and the base price comes out to less than Cutesliving's, but they're not a Choice offer and charge a shipping cost that effectively "kills" the deal / puts their price above.
In addition, the current $9 off $30 / $25 off $100 coupons are atypical/outliers in that they're higher discounts than the typical coupons from AliExpress ~and~ (for once) aren't limited to new customers only, which isn't all that common.

Thanks for hearing me out. Hope this helps (it's not that SD is/I am "promoting" the seller - I'd like to reassure folks that I am not working with them or AliExpress in any way). Simply posting because of the sales events/stacking coupons based on the criteria above. I've also posted these retro handhelds from Anbernic via eBay, Geekbuying, Powkiddy's official website, etc. These devices are actually a personal hobby of mine 😊 I post a range of other things as well; but I'd say video games in general are at the top of the list.
xxswishxx
1689 Posts
193 Reputation
The TrimUI Smart pro has the biggest screen ...4.96" 1280x720 IPS HD display

181 Comments

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Jun 22, 2024 10:58 PM
2,490 Posts
Joined Aug 2018
VioletTent657Jun 22, 2024 10:58 PM
2,490 Posts
Quote from joemamascul :
I am looking to purchase the trimui for $50 but have never ordered from Aliexpress. If I buy from this link is it okay or could I still get scammed etc?
At worst you can always dispute your purchase with your credit card company.
Jun 22, 2024 11:10 PM
1,435 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
jhymanJun 22, 2024 11:10 PM
1,435 Posts
Quote from joemamascul :
I am looking to purchase the trimui for $50 but have never ordered from Aliexpress. If I buy from this link is it okay or could I still get scammed etc?
Despite the odd name Cutesliving Store is a legitimate store on Ali Express. I've purchased from them with no issues and I've seen many other people say they have as well.
1
Jun 22, 2024 11:29 PM
454 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
tracker2208Jun 22, 2024 11:29 PM
454 Posts
Quote from joemamascul :
I am looking to purchase the trimui for $50 but have never ordered from Aliexpress. If I buy from this link is it okay or could I still get scammed etc?
My Capitol One card allows me to create a "virtual card" that you can tie to one online shop and turn on and off whenever you want through the app. I probably would not have started shopping at Aliexpress without that. I'm sure C1 is not the only card where you can do that.
Jun 22, 2024 11:34 PM
100 Posts
Joined Mar 2014
JonathanB7487Jun 22, 2024 11:34 PM
100 Posts
Quote from Joemaxwell :
In for the TrimUI. Sounds like it plays "some" N64 games. Anyone had any luck running WWF No Mercy or the other WWF/WCW games?
The RK3326 chipset will play WCW/nWo Revenge but not at full speed. Feels more like 70% speed. I wish it did because that and No Mercy are the two N64 games I really cared about, but unfortunately it can't quite do it in my experience. I've tried optimizing the settings as much as I could too.

Supposedly the TrimUI could be a little faster, so maybe it will work for you. Curious to hear from anyone else.
Jun 22, 2024 11:36 PM
1,034 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
micahman33Jun 22, 2024 11:36 PM
1,034 Posts
Quote from Joemaxwell :
In for the TrimUI. Sounds like it plays "some" N64 games. Anyone had any luck running WWF No Mercy or the other WWF/WCW games?
From watching reviews, it looks like the CPU may be a bit under powered for that. I have the R36S and I'm pretty sure it would play those OK…it does well with Dreamcast games (even complex stuff like powerstone 2 and nba showtime)
Jun 22, 2024 11:37 PM
79 Posts
Joined Mar 2020
BeautifulStew527Jun 22, 2024 11:37 PM
79 Posts
Quote from VioletTent657 :
At worst you can always dispute your purchase with your credit card company.
This seller should be OK. But always keep in mind that you can be scammed there.
Different sellers send me fake items and required to send back to get refund. Of course shipping price was comparable to item cost. Paypal also required confirmation that I've sent it back. Platform don't allow to left review in that case.
So users put it into "questions". Lile "Why do you sell fake product? " Etc.
Jun 22, 2024 11:38 PM
74 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
bhavin411Jun 22, 2024 11:38 PM
74 Posts
Quote from jhyman :
Despite the odd name Cutesliving Store is a legitimate store on Ali Express. I've purchased from them with no issues and I've seen many other people say they have as well.
Glad to hear - I ended up ordering from the anbernic store directly a couple days ago for slightly more because of the unresponded questions from customers on cutesliving's listing turned me off. Multiple people commented saying they either didn't receive their order, their order was cancelled, or they received the wrong item.

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Jun 22, 2024 11:38 PM
299 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
DinobotcommanderJun 22, 2024 11:38 PM
299 Posts
FYI - These coupons are universal and not limited to retro handhelds. They are 9 off a purchase 30.00 and over. There is also a 25 off 100 variant.
Jun 22, 2024 11:48 PM
96 Posts
Joined Mar 2015
TreptileJun 22, 2024 11:48 PM
96 Posts
Quote from joemamascul :
I am looking to purchase the trimui for $50 but have never ordered from Aliexpress. If I buy from this link is it okay or could I still get scammed etc?
I ordered from this seller on the last deal and everything seems fine and the shipping was pretty decent also. Took about 6 days to get to California from China.
Jun 22, 2024 11:52 PM
563 Posts
Joined Aug 2012
sinkingfeelingJun 22, 2024 11:52 PM
563 Posts
Quote from VioletTent657 :
At worst you can always dispute your purchase with your credit card company.
First rule of AliExpress is to never use credit cards. Use PayPal.
3
Jun 22, 2024 11:54 PM
563 Posts
Joined Aug 2012
sinkingfeelingJun 22, 2024 11:54 PM
563 Posts
Quote from jhyman :
Despite the odd name Cutesliving Store is a legitimate store on Ali Express. I've purchased from them with no issues and I've seen many other people say they have as well.
Yup, bought from them dozen times and they were all really cheap but arrived in great condition within 10 days. This is the only seller that I really trust with higher dollar purchase
Jun 22, 2024 11:56 PM
563 Posts
Joined Aug 2012
sinkingfeelingJun 22, 2024 11:56 PM
563 Posts
Quote from micahman33 :
From watching reviews, it looks like the CPU may be a bit under powered for that. I have the R36S and I'm pretty sure it would play those OK…it does well with Dreamcast games (even complex stuff like powerstone 2 and nba showtime)
I have both tsp and r36s and tsp has better performance on vast majority of games than the r36s
Jun 23, 2024 12:15 AM
2,345 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
neoshiJun 23, 2024 12:15 AM
2,345 Posts
Hmm already got a 35xxh for $35 earlier this year.. do i need a $50 tsp?
1
Jun 23, 2024 12:17 AM
452 Posts
Joined Feb 2007
JayDizzJun 23, 2024 12:17 AM
452 Posts
I own too many of these devices. With that said, the Trimui Smart Pro is probably the best device for a casual gamer just looking to start playing immediately. The included rom set is mostly good, the firmware is pretty user friendly, and the device performs fairly well. The pre-configured retroarch settings are mostly good. Plus the screen is fantastic.

It's not my favorite device (my current favorite is my RG353m running the latest ArkOS), but the TrimUI Smart Pro is definitely my favorite out of the box experience.

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Jun 23, 2024 12:34 AM
3,986 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
dplaneJun 23, 2024 12:34 AM
3,986 Posts
Is there a full list somewhere of all the games already included with the TrimUI?

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