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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 103,895 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 24, 2024 03:10 AM
413 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
DevanteWearyJun 24, 2024 03:10 AM
413 Posts
Quote from jjofnwa :
In for a TrimUI Smart Pro. I didn't do my normal due diligence of research on the device, so I hope it has some decent firmware or a good custom firmware to switch to, and I hope retroachievements can be loaded up on it.
TrimUI Smart Pro doesn't have L3/R3.
Jun 24, 2024 03:31 AM
1,483 Posts
Joined Feb 2008
llskankzllJun 24, 2024 03:31 AM
1,483 Posts

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

If anybody is looking to buy the TrimUI Smart Pro and has the AliExpress coins; you can save another $3.61.

Click on the product page from cutesliving store, then go to the account and click on the coins icon. You should see the same item but with a 7% coin discount. Click buy it now with your section and add the promo code.

I was able to get it for $39 before tax.
Last edited by llskankzll June 23, 2024 at 09:04 PM.
1
Jun 24, 2024 03:41 AM
399 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
MutantchipmunkJun 24, 2024 03:41 AM
399 Posts
Quote from coyotejosh :
Does anybody know how the R36S feels to hold for longer sessions compared to the RG35XX Plus? I have a plus and an h and have played them both a bunch but my hands get pretty fatigued if playing in bed.
I have both the RG35xx and R36s. The R36s is just a tiny bit thicker, but the buttons are in the same exact spot so not much difference between the two. My hand goes kinda numb after playing either one too long so i bought a grip. You could look into buying a grip on Etsy for your RG35xx plus unless you have or can access a 3d printer.
Jun 24, 2024 04:01 AM
64 Posts
Joined Jul 2021
mikeOduongJun 24, 2024 04:01 AM
64 Posts
just picked up the r36s the other day for $25. watched some more youtube and now i want and will pick up the rg35xx h lol. Dammit.
Jun 24, 2024 04:22 AM
134 Posts
Joined Oct 2023
MerryPanther3999Jun 24, 2024 04:22 AM
134 Posts
Has anyone done returns on aliexpress? I ordered the $28 deal from last week it is still in shipment and they won't credit me. I will just order this and return the old one
Jun 24, 2024 04:29 AM
905 Posts
Joined Jun 2005
scraejtpJun 24, 2024 04:29 AM
905 Posts
Quote from MerryPanther3999 :
Has anyone done returns on aliexpress? I ordered the $28 deal from last week it is still in shipment and they won't credit me. I will just order this and return the old one
I said it was unlikely they would credit you, it is a one time coupon. It is still in shipment because it is coming from China, expect 2 weeks.

edit: Apparently I am misinformed, and Aliexpress offers free returns if sellers opt in. It looks like you could initiate a return for the $5 savings, but I would still be wary.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Aliexpre..._the_free/

Quote from Ziggst :
I actually returned the same device a few months back, and it was my first Ali return. I read a ton of horror stories on Reddit, but it was insanely easy. I got fully credited as soon as the tracking showed that the return was in transit. (Edit-- A return shipping label was provided to me at no cost, and it was to a US shipping address.)
I guess they bulk return shipment of goods back to China for their returns processing.
Last edited by scraejtp June 23, 2024 at 09:44 PM.
Jun 24, 2024 04:30 AM
337 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
ZiggstJun 24, 2024 04:30 AM
337 Posts
Quote from MerryPanther3999 :
Has anyone done returns on aliexpress? I ordered the $28 deal from last week it is still in shipment and they won't credit me. I will just order this and return the old one
I actually returned the same device a few months back, and it was my first Ali return. I read a ton of horror stories on Reddit, but it was insanely easy. I got fully credited as soon as the tracking showed that the return was in transit. (Edit-- A return shipping label was provided to me at no cost, and it was to a US shipping address.)

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Jun 24, 2024 04:50 AM
221 Posts
Joined Jan 2013
dealrocksJun 24, 2024 04:50 AM
221 Posts
I am new to this and I am confused. If i order Trimui Smart Pro with 128G will it come with games pre installed?
Jun 24, 2024 06:38 AM
36 Posts
Joined May 2024
FaithfulFlower6743Jun 24, 2024 06:38 AM
36 Posts
ETA9 and OZTALKS9 seem to be dead.
Jun 24, 2024 06:41 AM
537 Posts
Joined Apr 2008
cheapass79Jun 24, 2024 06:41 AM
537 Posts
Tried to buy it, but, despite multiple attempts, the aliexpress verification code never came to my Gmail. It's been ten hours now so I guess it can't make it through. Checked junk, promos, every folder I can think of.
Jun 24, 2024 06:55 AM
1,604 Posts
Joined Dec 2017
lolopoloJun 24, 2024 06:55 AM
1,604 Posts
Quote from FaithfulFlower6743 :
ETA9 and OZTALKS9 seem to be dead.
yes, do not work for me either. bummer
Jun 24, 2024 07:04 AM
20 Posts
Joined Jan 2017
djlskiJun 24, 2024 07:04 AM
20 Posts
Get the rg35xxh dl muos cfw and portmaster to play every port from shovel knight, tnmt shredder, downwell, stardew, etc. make sure not to use a fast charger or it will pop and stop working like mine. Had to buy another one and learned from my mistake
Jun 24, 2024 08:40 AM
9 Posts
Joined Oct 2009
pj09Jun 24, 2024 08:40 AM
9 Posts
Quote from FaithfulFlower6743 :
ETA9 and OZTALKS9 seem to be dead.
They must have pulled the plug (or they all reached their limit around the same time?) on those codes within the last few hours of this sale, which was unexpected based on the code information posted with the videos:


Use my exclusive discount code for $$ off:
OZTALKS9: $9 off for orders over $30
OZTALKS25: $25 off for orders over $100
Valid until 2024.7.14 23:59 PST

Same basic info for the ETA codes, and there were even a few others that I tried in the last hour or so and none of them were working towards the end of the sale. They were supposed to be valid until July 14th...
1
Jun 24, 2024 12:45 PM
6 Posts
Joined Apr 2013
coyotejoshJun 24, 2024 12:45 PM
6 Posts
Quote from Mutantchipmunk :
I have both the RG35xx and R36s. The R36s is just a tiny bit thicker, but the buttons are in the same exact spot so not much difference between the two. My hand goes kinda numb after playing either one too long so i bought a grip. You could look into buying a grip on Etsy for your RG35xx plus unless you have or can access a 3d printer.
Awesome! Thanks for the info! It looks like I'll be firing up the 3d printer!

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Jun 24, 2024 01:52 PM
774 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
JungleJunkieJun 24, 2024 01:52 PM
774 Posts
Quote from sinkingfeeling :
For the r36s avoid SanDisk. People have had best luck with Samsung for trimui smart and the r36s
I'm pretty sure any brand SD card will work as long as it's formatted FAT32.

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