R36H Pro Max retro handheld console
A horizontal R36 with a 4.2-inch 1024 x 768 IPS screen, built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, a 3,500 mAh battery and rounded grips on the back.
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A bigger 4:3 screen, held sideways.
The 4.2-inch IPS panel shows 1024 x 768 pixels in 4:3, about 305 pixels per inch. That is 2.56 times the pixels of a 640 x 480 screen and about 44% more area than a 3.5-inch 4:3 screen, by calculation.
4:3 games fill the whole screen with no side bands. The chip stays the RK3326 with 1 GB of RAM, like the R36S and the R36H, so the gain is the picture and the Wi-Fi, not speed.
R36H Pro Max specs
From the supplier sheet, the markings on the back of the console and a published hands-on.
| Screen | 4.2-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 DDR3L |
| Storage | Two microSD slots, marked TF1-OS (system) and TF2-GAME (games) |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh Li-Po, engraved on the back; up to 8 h according to the manufacturer |
| Charging | USB-C port marked DC 5V, 5 V adapter of at least 1.5 A (not included) |
| Ports | USB-C DC, both microSD slots, headphone jack and USB-C OTG, all on the bottom edge |
| Wireless | Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), no Bluetooth announced |
| Sound | Two speakers on the front, in the bottom corners |
| Controls | D-pad, ABXY, two analog sticks, L1 L2 R1 R2 (L2 and R2 are digital) |
| Size and weight | About 172 x 83 mm and about 215 g, per a published hands-on |
| System | Open-source Linux with ArkOS 2.0 preinstalled |
| Colors | Black, white, purple, green and blue in the supplier catalogue |
R36H Pro Max or R36S?
Same chip and RAM. The Pro Max turns sideways and adds a bigger 4:3 screen and Wi-Fi. On sale now: the R36S and the R36 Max.
| R36H Pro Max | R36S | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Horizontal | Vertical |
| Screen | 4.2-inch, 1024 x 768 | 3.5-inch, 640 x 480 |
| Chip and RAM | RK3326, 1 GB | RK3326, 1 GB |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 3,200 mAh on most listings |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes, 2.4 GHz | Varies by revision |
| microSD slots | Two | Two |
| On sale at FunGrip | Not yet | Yes |
R36H Pro Max: good questions
Is the R36H Pro Max the same as the R36H?
No. Both are horizontal with the same RK3326 chip, but the R36H has a 3.5-inch 640 x 480 screen, a 3,000 mAh battery and no built-in Wi-Fi. The Pro Max adds a 4.2-inch 1024 x 768 screen, built-in Wi-Fi and a 3,500 mAh battery.
Does the R36H Pro Max have Wi-Fi?
Yes, built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, with no dongle to add. Depending on the system, it serves for updates and for local play between compatible consoles. It does not bring online play, and no Bluetooth is announced.
How long does the battery last?
The battery is 3,500 mAh. The manufacturer says up to 8 hours; the real time depends on brightness, volume, the emulator and the game.
Is a charger included?
No wall charger. Charge through the USB-C port marked DC 5V with a 5 V adapter rated for at least 1.5 A.