R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus: Which Budget Handheld Wins in 2026?
The Miyoo Mini Plus is the most searched competitor to the R36S — and for good reason. Both sit in the budget handheld space, both run classic games beautifully, and both have passionate communities behind them. But they take completely different approaches. The R36S wins on raw specs and price. The Miyoo Mini Plus wins on software polish and brand trust. Here is the full breakdown so you can decide which one deserves your money.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 3.5 inches IPS | 3.5 inches IPS |
| Resolution | 640×480 | 640×480 |
| Processor | RK3326 Quad-core 1.5GHz | Allwinner A30 Quad-core 1.2GHz |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 128MB DDR3 |
| Battery | 3200mAh (4-6 hours) | 3000mAh (5-7 hours) |
| Storage | Dual microSD slots | Single microSD slot |
| Built-in WiFi | No (USB dongle only) | Yes (2.4GHz built-in) |
| Operating System | ArkOS / JELOS / custom | OnionOS (exceptional) |
| Brand | Generic / clone | Miyoo (established) |
| Form Factor | Horizontal (Game Boy Advance style) | Vertical (Game Boy style) |
| Price Range | Rs.1,800-Rs.3,800 (~$20-$45) | Rs.4,000-Rs.6,000 (~$50-$70) |
1. Price: R36S Wins by a Wide Margin
The R36S is one of the cheapest capable retro handhelds on the market. At Rs.1,800-Rs.3,800 depending on where you buy, it costs roughly half the price of a Miyoo Mini Plus.
R36S — Value Champion
- Rs.1,800-Rs.3,800 in India
- Includes pre-loaded games on most listings
- Dual microSD slots (more storage flexibility)
- Best-in-class specs for the price
- Easy to replace if it breaks
Miyoo Mini Plus — Premium Budget
- Rs.4,000-Rs.6,000 in India
- Higher price reflects better build and software
- Single microSD slot
- Official accessories available (case, charger)
- Harder to find locally in India
Winner: R36S — for pure affordability, it is in a different league.
2. Performance: R36S Has the Raw Edge
The R36S packs the RK3326 chip with 1GB of RAM. The Miyoo Mini Plus uses an Allwinner A30 with only 128MB of RAM. On paper, the R36S should dominate. In practice, the Miyoo Mini Plus punches above its weight thanks to OnionOS being exceptionally well optimised.
| Gaming System | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| NES / Game Boy | Perfect | Perfect |
| SNES / Genesis / GBC | Perfect | Perfect |
| GBA | Perfect | Perfect |
| PS1 | Excellent | Very Good |
| N64 | Partial (many games run) | Limited (fewer games run) |
| Dreamcast | Very Limited | Not practical |
| PSP | Some games (lighter titles) | Very few games |
| NDS (Nintendo DS) | Partial | Very limited |
Winner: R36S — more headroom for demanding emulation, especially N64 and PSP.
3. Software and User Experience: Miyoo Mini Plus Wins
This is where the Miyoo Mini Plus earns its higher price. OnionOS — the community firmware built specifically for Miyoo devices — is widely regarded as the most polished retro gaming OS available on any budget handheld.
R36S Software (ArkOS / JELOS)
- Good community firmware options
- Setup takes some effort
- ArkOS and JELOS are reliable but less refined
- Manual RetroArch configuration often needed
- Stock firmware is unusable — must replace it
Miyoo Mini Plus (OnionOS)
- OnionOS is the gold standard of budget handheld OS
- Works great out of the box
- Built-in scraper for game artwork
- Excellent save state management
- WiFi sync and game management via browser
Our Take: If you have never set up a retro handheld before, the Miyoo Mini Plus running OnionOS is a significantly smoother experience. The R36S requires more tinkering — which some people love, but beginners may find frustrating.
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus — OnionOS is simply the best budget handheld operating system available today.
4. Build Quality and Design
The R36S and Miyoo Mini Plus also take opposite approaches to form factor — the R36S is horizontal (like a Game Boy Advance), while the Miyoo Mini Plus is vertical (like a classic Game Boy). Neither is objectively better; it comes down to personal preference.
| Aspect | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Horizontal (GBA style) | Vertical (Game Boy style) |
| Shell Material | Good plastic | Premium matte plastic |
| Button Quality | Acceptable | Clicky and responsive |
| D-Pad Quality | Can feel stiff | Excellent, Game Boy-like feel |
| Analogue Sticks | Dual analogue sticks | None (major limitation for 3D games) |
| Pocket Friendly | Moderate | Very compact and pocketable |
| Colour Options | Limited | Multiple including transparent |
Winner: Tie — Miyoo Mini Plus has better build quality; R36S wins on analogue sticks and comfort for long sessions.
5. WiFi and Connectivity
Built-in WiFi is a meaningful advantage for the Miyoo Mini Plus. It enables wireless game transfer, RetroAchievements, and cloud saves without any additional hardware.
What Built-in WiFi Unlocks on Miyoo Mini Plus
- Transfer games wirelessly from your computer — no cable needed
- RetroAchievements — earn achievements in classic games online
- Scrape game artwork automatically over WiFi
- Cloud save syncing
- Remote access and management via OnionOS web interface
The R36S can achieve WiFi via a USB dongle — but this blocks a USB port, adds cost, and sticks out awkwardly from the device. The R36XX (a newer variant) adds built-in WiFi, which is worth considering if connectivity matters to you.
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus — built-in WiFi is genuinely useful and the OnionOS integration makes it seamless.
6. Who Should Buy Each?
Buy the R36S if you…
- Want the absolute best value for money
- Plan to play N64, PSP, or Dreamcast games
- Prefer a horizontal GBA-style layout
- Need dual analogue sticks for 3D PS1 games
- Are comfortable with some firmware setup
- Want dual SD card slots for massive game libraries
- Are buying a first handheld to try retro gaming cheaply
Buy the Miyoo Mini Plus if you…
- Want the smoothest out-of-box experience
- Play primarily 8-bit and 16-bit games (NES, SNES, GBA)
- Value compact, pocketable design
- Want built-in WiFi for wireless game transfer
- Prefer the classic vertical Game Boy form factor
- Are buying as a gift and want something that just works
- Do not mind spending a bit more for quality
Verdict: Which One Wins?
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Price / Value | R36S |
| Raw Performance | R36S |
| Software / OS | Miyoo Mini Plus |
| Build Quality | Miyoo Mini Plus |
| Built-in WiFi | Miyoo Mini Plus |
| Analogue Sticks | R36S |
| Best for Beginners | Miyoo Mini Plus |
| Best for Tinkerers | R36S |
| Overall Value Pick | R36S |
Bottom Line: If budget is your priority, the R36S is hard to beat. It costs half the price, runs more demanding games, and has a massive community behind it. If you want something that feels premium and just works from day one — especially as a gift — the Miyoo Mini Plus is worth the extra spend. Both are excellent; your choice comes down to price versus polish.
Ready to Start Your Retro Gaming Journey?
Both the R36S and Miyoo Mini Plus are available now. Check our store for the best deals and bundles.
Shop R36S Ask Us AnythingFrequently Asked Questions
Is the Miyoo Mini Plus worth the extra money over the R36S?
If you value software polish, built-in WiFi, and a premium feel — yes. If you want the best specs for the lowest price and plan to play N64 or PSP games, the R36S is the better deal.
Can the Miyoo Mini Plus play N64 games?
Only a limited number of lighter N64 titles run acceptably. The R36S handles N64 significantly better due to its RK3326 chip and 1GB of RAM.
Which is better for kids?
The Miyoo Mini Plus is easier to set up and the compact vertical form factor suits smaller hands well. However, the R36S lower price makes it less painful if it gets dropped or damaged.
Do I need to install custom firmware on the R36S?
Yes — the stock firmware on the R36S is poor. You will need to install ArkOS or JELOS to get the best experience. Our complete custom firmware guide walks you through the process step by step.
Is the Miyoo Mini Plus available in India?
Yes, but primarily through import and online channels. Delivery times and prices vary. The R36S is more widely stocked by local Indian sellers.
What about the R36XX — is it a better comparison to the Miyoo Mini Plus?
The R36XX adds built-in WiFi which closes one of the Miyoo Mini Plus key advantages. If you specifically want WiFi on the R36 platform, the R36XX is worth considering. Read our R36S vs R36XX vs R36Plus guide for a full breakdown.