R36 Ultra X retro handheld console
A vertical R36 with a 4.5-inch 1024 x 768 IPS screen, built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, two speakers on the back and an RGB ring around each stick.
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A 4.5-inch 4:3 screen for 4:3 games.
The R36 Ultra X, released in May 2026, has a 4.5-inch IPS panel at 1024 x 768, about 284 pixels per inch, on an active area of about 91 x 69 mm. Next to the 3.5-inch R36S, that is about 65% more screen area in the same 4:3 shape, by calculation.
A 4:3 game can fill the whole screen without distortion; handheld games of another shape keep bands unless you stretch them. The chip is still the RK3326 with 1 GB of RAM, so a bigger screen does not make games run faster.
R36 Ultra X specs
From the supplier catalogue and the label on the back of the console, which reads MODEL No.R36 Ultra x.
| Screen | 4.5-inch IPS, 1024 x 768, 4:3 |
|---|---|
| Chip | Rockchip RK3326, four Cortex-A35 cores up to 1.5 GHz, Mali-G31 MP2 graphics |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Storage | One microSD slot on the right side (TF1-OS), system and games on the same card |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh Li-Po, printed on the rear label |
| Charging | USB-C port marked DC, 5 V adapter of at least 1.5 A (not included), USB-A to USB-C cable supplied |
| Ports | USB-C DC, 3.5 mm headphone jack and USB-C OTG, all on the bottom edge |
| Wireless | Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi |
| Sound | Two speakers on the back, plus the headphone jack |
| Vibration | Built-in motor |
| Controls | D-pad, ABXY, two clickable analog sticks with an RGB ring, four rear triggers, volume wheel |
| System | Linux with EmuELEC 4.7 and the EmulationStation menu |
| Colors | Solid white; clear black, purple, red and green |
R36 Ultra X, R36S or R36 Max?
One chip for all three, the RK3326 with 1 GB of RAM. The Ultra X brings the biggest screen of the three, Wi-Fi and vibration. On sale now: the R36S and the R36 Max.
| R36 Ultra X | R36S | R36 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 4.5-inch, 1024 x 768 | 3.5-inch, 640 x 480 | 4-inch, 720 x 720 |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes, 2.4 GHz | Varies by revision | No |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh | 3,200 mAh on most listings | 4,000 mAh |
| microSD slots | One | Two | Two |
| On sale at FunGrip | Not yet | Yes | Yes |
R36 Ultra X: good questions
Is the R36 Ultra X the same as the R36 Ultra?
No. The R36 Ultra has a 4-inch square 720 x 720 screen. The Ultra X has a 4.5-inch 1024 x 768 screen in 4:3, two speakers on the back, a vibration motor and a volume wheel, with the same chip and the same listed battery.
Is the R36 Ultra X the R36 Max2?
No. The R36 Max2 has the same screen size but comes from another maker, with the left stick above the D-pad, one front speaker, a 4,000 mAh battery and two microSD slots. The Ultra X has both sticks at the bottom, two speakers on the back, a 3,000 mAh battery and one slot.
Does the R36 Ultra X have Wi-Fi?
Yes, built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. What it does depends on the system: file transfers, cover art and updates. It does not bring online play.
How many microSD slots does it have?
One, on the right side, marked TF1-OS. The system and your games share that card, so pick its size with both in mind.