R36S vs Retroid Pocket 5: Budget vs Premium Comparison
The R36S and Retroid Pocket 5 represent opposite ends of the retro handheld spectrum. The R36S is the budget king at $20-$45, while the Retroid Pocket 5 is a premium “endgame” device at $199-$219. Should you save money or invest in the best? Let’s find out.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | R36S Budget | Retroid Pocket 5 Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 3.5″ IPS 640×480 | 5.5″ AMOLED 1080p |
| Processor | RK3326 Quad-core | Snapdragon 865 |
| GPU | Mali-G31 MP2 | Adreno 650 |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 8GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage | Dual microSD | 128GB UFS 3.1 + microSD |
| OS | Linux (ArkOS) | Android 13 |
| Battery | 3200mAh (4-6 hrs) | 5000mAh (6-8 hrs) |
| WiFi/BT | USB dongle | WiFi 6 + BT 5.1 |
| Joysticks | Standard | 3D Hall Effect |
| Triggers | Digital | Analogue L2/R2 |
| Cooling | Passive | Active cooling |
| Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Price | $20-$45 | $199-$219 |
Understanding the Price Gap
Price Perspective
The Retroid Pocket 5 costs 4-10x more than the R36S. Here’s what you get for that premium:
- 57% larger screen with AMOLED technology
- 8x more RAM (8GB vs 1GB)
- Flagship mobile processor (Snapdragon 865)
- Premium features: Hall effect sticks, active cooling, analogue triggers
- Android ecosystem: Game Pass, streaming, modern apps
The Key Differences Explained
1. Performance: Different Leagues Entirely
These devices aren’t really competitors — they target completely different performance tiers:
| System | R36S | Retroid Pocket 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 8-bit (NES, GB) | Perfect | Perfect |
| 16-bit (SNES, Genesis) | Perfect | Perfect |
| GBA | Perfect | Perfect |
| PS1 | Excellent | Perfect |
| N64 | Partial | Perfect |
| Dreamcast | Limited | Perfect |
| PSP | Some games | Perfect |
| Nintendo DS | Limited | Excellent |
| Saturn | No | Excellent |
| PS2 | No | Many games |
| GameCube | No | Many games |
| Wii | No | Many games |
| 3DS | No | Playable |
The Truth: The Retroid Pocket 5 can emulate systems the R36S can’t even dream of running. If you want PS2, GameCube, Wii, or 3DS emulation, the RP5 is your only option here.
2. Screen Quality: IPS vs AMOLED
R36S (3.5″ IPS LCD)
- 640×480 resolution
- Good colour accuracy
- Adequate brightness
- Perfect 4:3 aspect ratio
- No scaling for retro games
Retroid Pocket 5 (5.5″ AMOLED)
- 1920×1080 resolution
- Perfect blacks, infinite contrast
- Vibrant, punchy colours
- 60fps smooth display
- Touch screen support
3. Build Quality and Ergonomics
The Retroid Pocket 5 features premium construction:
| Aspect | R36S | Retroid Pocket 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Good plastic | Premium matte finish |
| Joysticks | Standard potentiometer | 3D Hall Effect (no drift) |
| Triggers | Digital L/R | Analogue L2/R2 |
| Ergonomics | Compact, some fatigue | Redesigned for comfort |
| Weight | ~165g | ~550g |
| Cooling | None | Active cooling fan |
4. Operating System: Linux vs Android
R36S (Linux/ArkOS)
- Optimised for emulation
- Fast boot, low overhead
- EmulationStation interface
- Limited app ecosystem
- Community-driven updates
Retroid Pocket 5 (Android 13)
- Full Android app store
- Xbox Game Pass streaming
- YouTube, Netflix, Spotify
- RetroArch + standalone emulators
- Official OTA updates
Key Insight: Android gives the RP5 versatility beyond emulation — it’s also a media device, streaming console, and can even run some native Android games.
5. Connectivity
| Feature | R36S | Retroid Pocket 5 |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi | USB dongle required | WiFi 6 built-in |
| Bluetooth | No | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| USB | USB-C (charging + OTG) | USB-C (charging + OTG) |
| Video Out | Limited | HDMI via USB-C dock |
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the R36S if:
- Budget is limited — Under $50 is your range
- You want portability — Pocket-sized gaming
- 8-bit to PS1 is enough — Classic retro focus
- You’re testing the waters — Low-risk entry point
- Simple is better — Just want to play games
- You have multiple handhelds — Travel/backup device
Choose the Retroid Pocket 5 if:
- You want an “endgame” device — One handheld to rule them all
- PS2/GameCube/Wii matters — 6th gen emulation
- Screen quality is priority — AMOLED is stunning
- You want Android features — Game Pass, streaming
- Long-term investment — Premium build lasts years
- Comfort for long sessions — Better ergonomics
The “Both” Strategy
Consider Owning Both
Many retro gaming enthusiasts own both a budget and premium device:
- R36S: Pocket carry, travel, bedtime gaming, lending to friends
- Retroid Pocket 5: Home gaming, serious sessions, 6th gen emulation
At ~$250 combined, you’d have complete coverage for all scenarios.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Value for Money | R36S |
| Raw Performance | Retroid Pocket 5 |
| Screen Quality | Retroid Pocket 5 |
| Portability | R36S |
| Build Quality | Retroid Pocket 5 |
| 6th Gen Emulation | Retroid Pocket 5 |
| Entry Point | R36S |
| Long-term Investment | Retroid Pocket 5 |
The Bottom Line:
- The R36S is the smart budget choice — perfect for classic retro gaming without investment risk
- The Retroid Pocket 5 is the enthusiast’s dream — a premium device that handles everything from NES to PS2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Retroid Pocket 5 worth 5x the price?
If you want PS2/GameCube/Wii emulation and a premium experience, yes. If you’re happy with 8-bit to PS1 gaming, the R36S delivers 90% of the retro experience at 20% of the cost.
Should I start with the R36S and upgrade later?
This is a great strategy. The R36S lets you test if handheld retro gaming is for you before committing to a premium device. Many users keep both.
Can the R36S ever match the RP5’s performance?
No. The hardware gap is too large. The R36S maxes out around PS1/limited N64, while the RP5 handles PS2 and beyond. Different devices for different needs.
What about battery life?
The RP5’s 5000mAh battery provides 6-8 hours despite the powerful hardware. The R36S gets 4-6 hours. Both are adequate for typical use.