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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 103,911 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
20911 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
20911 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 02:56 PM
73 Posts
Joined Aug 2013
SnorbroJun 23, 2024 02:56 PM
73 Posts
Quote from bloodshot2k6 :
I want to buy the trimui but how do i backup the OS and games and move them to a branded card?
There's two ways, but I recommend doing an image copy of the memory card before doing any tweaks by using software like http:// sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
But you should just copy/paste (via windows explorer) the files as well. If the SD card completely breaks, you may need to run the sd card recovery image and manually copy over the ROMS over that you previously backed up.
https://github.com/trimui/firmwar...413-hotfix
Jun 23, 2024 03:08 PM
115 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
AfrosquadJun 23, 2024 03:08 PM
115 Posts
Quote from JK1982 :
Debating on the rg505 with oled screen for around $78 with coupon. It can fully play psp games.
Struggling to find the RG505 for this cheap with the ETA25 coupon.. do you have a link? (Can DM if needed).

Thanks!
Jun 23, 2024 04:19 PM
243 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
jjr101Jun 23, 2024 04:19 PM
243 Posts
Coupon works for other items sold by this seller, used it to get $9 off a x2 pro gaming console. Didn't really want another handheld...
Jun 23, 2024 04:31 PM
3,280 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
WB_KJun 23, 2024 04:31 PM
3,280 Posts
Quote from mwitters :
This is absolute insanity. How are they making any money? I have one of these R36s devices and the vlue is just insane. 15k games, decent screen. Sure the controls are great but they're fine. For the cost of a fast food meal you're getting thousands of hours of gaming... incredible. Literally the best value in the history of video games zero doubt. I love my R36s.

This is like $9 cheaper than I've seen it. Even at $40 it's a good deal. If you don't own a better retro handheld or are picking up your first, this is THE deal. How can you possibly go wrong here it's $21 bucks! Shipped!
Because they are repurposing "old" cell phone technology. And using software that is easily reproducible, not necessarily their work. Other than emulation to get the software to work, only so they can unload older technology. I withhold any feelings other than why this "insanity". It isn't, but maybe good in recycling technology to which we are wasteful as a civilization. I own a couple, I'm guilty too.
Original Poster
Pro
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Jun 23, 2024 05:19 PM
20,911 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
RevOneJun 23, 2024 05:19 PM
Original Poster
Pro
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20,911 Posts

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

Quote from sarcasmogratis :
This seems to be one of few AliExpress stores allowed to be posted and is getting promoted by SD Staff a fair bit recently.
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.
Last edited by RevOne June 23, 2024 at 11:57 AM.
3
1
Jun 23, 2024 05:35 PM
98 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
twibirdJun 23, 2024 05:35 PM
98 Posts
There's apparently 3 different listings for R36S's on their storefront, but since the coupon is $9 off $30, you can't combine the code with the cheapest listing ($25)
Last edited by twibird June 23, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
Jun 23, 2024 05:36 PM
365 Posts
Joined Dec 2020
SnakeMGSJun 23, 2024 05:36 PM
365 Posts
Can R36S be connected to a monitor via any cable?

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Original Poster
Pro
Deal Editor
Jun 23, 2024 05:40 PM
20,911 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
RevOneJun 23, 2024 05:40 PM
Original Poster
Pro
Deal Editor
20,911 Posts
Quote from MacUser14 :
Can R36S be connected to a monitor via any cable?
Not that I've ever come across anyone mentioning, I'm afraid. It doesn't have an HDMI-out port like some of the Anbernic, Powkiddy, Retroid, etc. devices; and as far as I'm aware doesn't support DisplayPort out via USB-C.
Jun 23, 2024 05:48 PM
950 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
xlaxplayaJun 23, 2024 05:48 PM
950 Posts
Nice deal, I just bought a TrimUI Smart Pro. Love that retro NES colorway. I've never heard of TrimUI before, only the more popular brands like Anbernic, but the recent reviews on that system look great. Apparently it was kinda rough at launch (6 months ago) but they've improved things with firmware since then. It seems to be able to run most PSP and N64 games, no problem.
Jun 23, 2024 06:22 PM
39 Posts
Joined Sep 2016
cybersecuritystudyJun 23, 2024 06:22 PM
39 Posts
Anyone have any insight between the RG35XX and the TrimUI Smart Pro which one may be better for old arcade fighting games controls and gameplay wise? I run into a lot of hand problems with portables doing a number on my fingers and dexterity and wonder if the components are just going to be so cheap its not even worth a try for one of these? Thanks!
Pro
Jun 23, 2024 06:39 PM
1,185 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
ktlewis02
Pro
Jun 23, 2024 06:39 PM
1,185 Posts
I bought a few different hand helds from this store and was also able to use the USSS18 code ($18 off $129+). I can't believe how cheap these things are. They make excellent gifts
Jun 23, 2024 06:44 PM
10,825 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
youra6Jun 23, 2024 06:44 PM
10,825 Posts
Quote from JK1982 :
That deal is still alive but i think the rg505 is a better choice since it has the oled screen for the same price and it runs on android
Isn't the RG505 considerably more? It was 9X dollars a while back but I haven't seen it lately at that price.
Jun 23, 2024 06:54 PM
7 Posts
Joined Feb 2014
tiepilot1138Jun 23, 2024 06:54 PM
7 Posts
I thought I saw one of these ran Android games too. Does anyone know if these do?
Jun 23, 2024 08:17 PM
68 Posts
Joined Oct 2022
bsheffJun 23, 2024 08:17 PM
68 Posts
Quote from sinkingfeeling :
First rule of AliExpress is to never use credit cards. Use PayPal.
I trust my citi card to dispute better than PayPal any day. PayPal left me hanging on a $800 GPU I got scammed on when they were nearly impossible to find. My Citi card ended up covering me and disputing it with no problems.

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Jun 23, 2024 08:26 PM
1,165 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
comm0Jun 23, 2024 08:26 PM
1,165 Posts
Every time I buy a retro console or something I play it for like 45 min and then never touch it again
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