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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 103,924 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
20918 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
20918 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 23, 2024 03:55 AM
53 Posts
Joined Apr 2020
RelaxedStag572Jun 23, 2024 03:55 AM
53 Posts
Quote from romodome :
If you buy one with a microsd card, just to have the roms, can you just create a new microsd card with the exact same contents and plug it in so you have a better card with same roms. I'm a newbie and not sure how this works. Also, if I buy a 2nd without the roms, can I make a 2nd copy of the games from the first system and put it in the 2nd system.
Yes I keep hearing how easy it is to switch out the memory but I'm not tech savy and just want to be able to play with the ones it comes with.
Jun 23, 2024 04:08 AM
982 Posts
Joined Jan 2011
RoarOfZondaJun 23, 2024 04:08 AM
982 Posts
edited
Last edited by RoarOfZonda June 22, 2024 at 09:14 PM.
1
Jun 23, 2024 04:20 AM
69 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
jayeadJun 23, 2024 04:20 AM
69 Posts
Is 1 gb ram really good enough ?
Jun 23, 2024 04:37 AM
730 Posts
Joined Jun 2018
OlivePenguin524Jun 23, 2024 04:37 AM
730 Posts
Quote from jayead :
Is 1 gb ram really good enough ?
these play roms for old old consoles. 1gb should be more than enough

highest you can play is probably PS, not PS2

if you want to run anything like PS2, you'd probably have to go with Steam Deck
Last edited by OlivePenguin524 June 22, 2024 at 09:42 PM.
Jun 23, 2024 05:09 AM
452 Posts
Joined Feb 2007
JayDizzJun 23, 2024 05:09 AM
452 Posts
Quote from RelaxedStag572 :
Yes I keep hearing how easy it is to switch out the memory but I'm not tech savy and just want to be able to play with the ones it comes with.
The included rom sets will be fine for most people. Some games might not work, there will probably be repeats, and some games will be in other languages... but most of the roms will work fine. I (and a lot people with tons of these consoles) find a lot of joy setting these things up and getting them perfect, but I'm always curious about the "out of the box experience" so I usually will play with the devices for a few days before tinkering. Like I mentioned, the TrimUi Smart Pro has a great out the box experience with the included roms and preset retroarch settings. It's not my favorite device, but it's the one I often hand to my kids to play some retro games. Easy to use and nice performance for the price.

The included SD cards are usually poor quality, but I've never used an included card long enough to have one fail on me. After a few days of use, I'll usually use my own card and start tinkering. I guess YMMV on how long the included cards last.
1
Jun 23, 2024 06:09 AM
5,717 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
JK1982Jun 23, 2024 06:09 AM
5,717 Posts
Does the trim iu powerful enough for psp emulation? Nvm saw retro game corp review seems like this thing isnt even good for n64.
Last edited by JK1982 June 22, 2024 at 11:13 PM.
Jun 23, 2024 06:22 AM
354 Posts
Joined Oct 2006
emceephiJun 23, 2024 06:22 AM
354 Posts
Quote from jayead :
Is 1 gb ram really good enough ?
These devices only play up to PS1, and a little bit of N64 and Dreamcast. The PS1 only had 2MB ram and 1MB video ram. The Dreamcast had 16MB ram and 8MB video ram.1Gb is more than enough for those systems lol.
1

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Jun 23, 2024 06:27 AM
990 Posts
Joined Feb 2011
jh19107Jun 23, 2024 06:27 AM
990 Posts
I'm new to this and kinda wanna buy one.
Which model should I choose?
How do I get the games? Do I buy games or download free or they come included?
Thank u!
Jun 23, 2024 06:37 AM
354 Posts
Joined Oct 2006
emceephiJun 23, 2024 06:37 AM
354 Posts
Quote from jh19107 :
I'm new to this and kinda wanna buy one.
Which model should I choose?
How do I get the games? Do I buy games or download free or they come included?
Thank u!
I just got my R36s yesterday and it came with a 64gb sd card with thousands of games on it. I heard these sd cards are cheap and prone to failure though, so I installed the OS and games on a new sd card.

If you want to add more games, you have to sail the 7 seas to find roms and just copy them to the sd card.
Jun 23, 2024 06:57 AM
909 Posts
Joined Oct 2003
Chuck LunchJun 23, 2024 06:57 AM
909 Posts
I'm late to this party.. but I recently read that roms are becoming harder to get. What is everyone doing to obtain roms?
Original Poster
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Jun 23, 2024 07:04 AM
20,918 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
RevOneJun 23, 2024 07:04 AM
Original Poster
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20,918 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank RevOne

Quote from JK1982 :
Does the trim iu powerful enough for psp emulation? Nvm saw retro game corp review seems like this thing isnt even good for n64.
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.
Last edited by RevOne June 23, 2024 at 12:45 AM.
4
Jun 23, 2024 07:23 AM
111 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
iceeman5196Jun 23, 2024 07:23 AM
111 Posts
r36s is best bang for your buck! Should come with arkos 2.0 which is really decent firmware. Can't go wrong with any of these deals for the $
Jun 23, 2024 08:50 AM
230 Posts
Joined Apr 2016
dgold109Jun 23, 2024 08:50 AM
230 Posts
Quote from Chuck Lunch :
I'm late to this party.. but I recently read that roms are becoming harder to get. What is everyone doing to obtain roms?
The owner of probably the biggest site for Roms had their identity outed and received a letter from Nintendo, but everything is already out there and it's not hard to find if you know where to look
Jun 23, 2024 10:42 AM
2,039 Posts
Joined Jan 2004
romodomeJun 23, 2024 10:42 AM
2,039 Posts
Thanks. Got one of each and used the $25 coupon. Just need to find some good microsd cards

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Jun 23, 2024 11:21 AM
726 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
bloodshot2k6Jun 23, 2024 11:21 AM
726 Posts
Quote from iceeman5196 :
r36s is best bang for your buck! Should come with arkos 2.0 which is really decent firmware. Can't go wrong with any of these deals for the $
Which game systems can this play well? Ps1? Nds? Etc?

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