The R40S Pro is not a newer or better R36 Ultra. It’s a separate budget handheld with a 3.5-inch 640×480 (4:3) IPS screen, a Rockchip RK3326 chip and 1GB of RAM, while the R36 Ultra‘s headline feature is its larger 4.0-inch IPS screen. Pick the R36 Ultra if screen size matters most. Pick the R40S Pro for a compact 4:3 screen and the largest listed battery (3,800mAh). Consider the R40 only if its listing gives you the specs you need.
A lot of what’s written about the R40S Pro online is wrong, from 4-inch screens to built-in WiFi. Every spec here comes from retail listings, our product catalog, a public handheld spec database or a published review, not from lab tests. Where a figure is only a seller claim, we say so.
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Quick picks
- Best for a bigger screen: R36 Ultra. For anyone who wants the most screen and the best-documented model on this site. 4.0-inch IPS, with 64GB or 128GB options. The safest all-round choice if you can't decide.
- Best for a compact 4:3 screen and the largest listed battery: R40S Pro. For players focused on classic 8-bit, 16-bit, GBA and PS1 games. 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS, RK3326 chip, battery listed at 3,800mAh. No built-in WiFi or Bluetooth.
- Only if its listing suits you: R40. IPS screen, USB-C charging and 322g. The listing doesn't state screen size, chip or battery, so it suits only buyers whose exact listing fills those gaps.
Quick answer: R40S Pro, R36 Ultra or R40?
There’s no single winner. These devices suit different buyers, so choose by what matters most to you:
- Bigger screen: R36 Ultra. 4.0-inch IPS, against 3.5 inches on the R40S Pro.
- Classic 4:3 shape and the largest stated battery: R40S Pro. 3.5-inch 640×480 screen, battery listed at 3,800mAh.
- Entry-level option with the most guides: R36S. Same screen size and RK3326 chip as the R40S Pro, with a much bigger community.
- R40: R40 only if its listing tells you what you need. Screen size, chip and battery aren’t stated.
| Spec | R40S Pro | R36 Ultra | R40 | R36S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.5-inch | 4.0-inch | — | 3.5-inch |
| Panel type | IPS, OCA laminated (listing) | IPS | IPS | IPS |
| Resolution / aspect | 640×480 (4:3) | — | — | — |
| Chip | Rockchip RK3326 (Cortex-A35), Mali-G31 MP2 GPU | — | — | Rockchip RK3326 |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3L | — | — | — |
| Battery | 3,800mAh (listed) | — | — | 2,600mAh |
| Storage as sold | 256GB microSD card bundle; two microSD slots | 64GB or 128GB | Game card included | 64GB or 128GB |
| Built-in WiFi | No (WiFi via OTG adapter, sold separately) | — | — | — |
| Bluetooth | No | — | — | — |
| Charging | USB-C | — | USB-C | — |
| Headphone jack | 3.5mm | — | — | — |
| Weight | 350g | — | 322g | — |
| Form factor | Vertical | — | — | — |
| Colors | Black, purple, green, white | Black, white, blue, purple | White | 18 color variants |
R40S Pro vs R36 Ultra vs R40 vs R36S: specs as listed
Is "R40" newer than "R36"? What the names mean
No. “R40” is not a newer generation than “R36”. Factories and sellers pick these names, and a higher number tells you nothing about the chip, screen or battery inside. Our explainer on what an R36 handheld actually is covers how the naming got this confusing.
R40S Pro
The R40S Pro has a vertical layout, with the screen above the controls. According to a public spec database, it first appeared around July 2024. Its core hardware:
- 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS panel
- Rockchip RK3326 (Cortex-A35) with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU
- 1GB of DDR3L RAM
- two microSD slots
The “256GB” in listings is a bundled microSD card, not built-in storage. Listings also mention dual analog sticks and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
R40
The R40 we track is sold as a separate product. Its listing confirms an IPS screen, USB-C charging, 0.322 kg, an open-source Linux system and 20+ emulators. It doesn’t state screen size, chip or battery. Don’t assume it shares the R40S Pro’s hardware because the names overlap.
R40S and “Pro”
What “Pro” adds is unclear: we found no reliable spec sheet for a plain “R40S” or an “R40S Ultra.” If you see those names, compare the screen, chip, RAM and battery on that exact listing instead of reading meaning into the suffix. Our R40 and R40S Pro guide has more background.
Spec comparison: what the listings actually say
The comparison table on this page includes only what listings, our catalog and a public spec database state. A dash means the figure isn’t published for that device, not that the feature is missing. For the full R36 Ultra sheet, see our R36 Ultra specifications.
Corrections to other comparisons
Several widely read comparison pages get the R40S Pro’s basics wrong. Here is what they claim, and what listings and the spec database show:
- Screen: not 4.0 inches. It’s 3.5 inches, 640×480.
- Chip: not an Allwinner H700. It’s a Rockchip RK3326.
- WiFi: not built in.
- Battery: not 4,000mAh. It’s listed at 3,800mAh.
- RAM: not 4GB or 8GB. It’s 1GB of DDR3L.
Some seller listings use “4GB*2 RAM” wording, which conflicts with the spec database. We use the 1GB figure.
Screen and size: 3.5-inch 4:3 vs 4.0-inch
The R40S Pro’s 640×480 screen is 4:3, the native picture shape of most classic consoles. Those games can fill the panel instead of sitting between wide black bars. Listings describe the screen as OCA full-laminated: the display is bonded to the glass, with no air gap.
The R36 Ultra has the bigger screen at 4.0 inches, also IPS. Its resolution isn’t stated on the listing we track, so don’t assume bigger also means sharper. Check the listing or our specs page.
Want more screen to look at? Choose the R36 Ultra. Prefer the classic shape in a smaller panel? Choose the R40S Pro.
Size and weight
The R40S Pro measures about 5.1 x 3.2 x 1 inches and weighs 350g, according to a review and our catalog. The listing calls it a pocket design, but it’s better suited to a bag or jacket pocket. The R40 is listed slightly lighter at 322g. The R36 Ultra’s weight isn’t stated on its listing. If portability comes first, see retro gaming on the go.
What they play: realistic expectations
The R40S Pro and the R36S both use the Rockchip RK3326. The R40S Pro pairs it with 1GB of RAM. That class of hardware realistically handles:
- Runs well: 8-bit and 16-bit consoles (NES, SNES, Genesis), the Game Boy family and GBA.
- Comfortable ceiling: PS1.
- Hit-or-miss: N64 and PSP. Some games play, but results vary a lot. Don’t buy either device mainly for these systems.
Ignore the big counts in listings, such as “45 emulators” or “30,000 games.” An installed emulator means the software is there, not that games run smoothly. The same goes for the R40 listing’s “20+ emulators” with N64 and 3D-era systems. Preloaded game claims also raise copyright questions. The clean approach is to load game files you legally own; our guide on adding games walks through it.
The R36 Ultra’s chip isn’t stated on the listing we track. For its system-by-system expectations, see our R36 Ultra emulation guide. For what’s worth playing, see our best games by system.
Battery, WiFi and TV output
Battery
Retail listings agree on 3,800mAh for the R40S Pro, though one spec database lists 3,000mAh. Treat 3,800mAh as the listed figure. Play-time claims vary by seller: one says “up to 8 hours,” another “up to 10 hours.” Neither comes from independent testing.
The R36S is listed at 2,600mAh. On paper the R40S Pro has the bigger battery, but listed capacity isn’t measured run time. Our battery guide has tips that apply across these devices.
WiFi and Bluetooth
The R40S Pro has no built-in WiFi and no Bluetooth, according to the spec database. One retail listing says WiFi works only through an adapter plugged into the OTG port, and that adapter isn’t included. Some reviews claim built-in WiFi, Bluetooth or HDMI; the listings and spec data don’t back that up. If online features matter, our WiFi and PortMaster guide explains WiFi setup on R36-class handhelds.
TV output
Sources disagree. Our catalog listing and one retail listing say the R40S Pro connects to a larger screen through a Type-C OTG adapter, and the box includes an OTG adapter labelled for TV connection. The spec database lists no video output at all.
Don’t choose the R40S Pro for big-screen play until the specific listing confirms it. If TV play matters, our TV output guide and our page on retro consoles with HDMI cover what to look for.
R40S Pro vs R36S
These two are closely matched on paper. Both use the RK3326 and a 3.5-inch IPS screen, so expect similar game performance. The differences are elsewhere:
- Battery: R40S Pro listed at 3,800mAh, R36S at 2,600mAh.
- Storage as sold: R40S Pro listings bundle a 256GB microSD card. The R36S comes in 64GB or 128GB versions.
- Shape and colors: the R40S Pro is vertical and comes in black, purple, green and white. The R36S is listed in 18 color variants, including transparent shells.
- Community and firmware: the R36S has the larger community and far more guides.
Flashing ArkOS or DarkOS on the R36S is well documented in our custom firmware guide and DarkOS guide. We haven’t seen equivalent, reliable guides for the R40S Pro.
The R36S suits tinkerers, anyone who wants lots of color choices, and buyers who want a well-trodden entry-level device. The R40S Pro suits buyers who value the larger listed battery and bundled card over community support.
Which should you buy?
For most people: R36 Ultra
The R36 Ultra has the largest confirmed screen here at 4.0 inches. It comes in 64GB or 128GB, in black, white, blue and purple. It’s the model we document most thoroughly, from setup to troubleshooting. Still weighing it against its siblings? See R36 Ultra vs R36S vs R36 Max.
For a classic 4:3 screen and the largest stated battery: R40S Pro
The R40S Pro suits players who mostly play 8-bit, 16-bit, GBA and PS1 games and like a vertical layout. Skip it if you want built-in WiFi, guaranteed TV output or a truly small pocket device.
For tinkering on a budget: R36S
The R36S matches the R40S Pro’s chip class and screen size. Its edge is the biggest community and the most firmware guides.
R40: only with a complete listing
The R40 is light at 322g and charges over USB-C. Without a stated screen size, chip or battery, it’s the least documented of the four. Consider it only if the listing in front of you fills those gaps.
As a gift or for a kid
According to our catalog, the R40S Pro box includes a Type-C charging cable, an OTG adapter, a user manual and a screen protector film. The protector is a useful extra for younger players. Listings also mention save and load states and a headphone jack for quiet play. At 350g, it’s noticeable in small hands.
For more ideas, see handheld consoles for kids and gifts for a retro gamer. If none of these four fits, our best budget retro handhelds ranking looks wider.
Listing checks before you choose
Specs vary between sellers and batches. Judge the exact listing, not the model name:
- Screen size and resolution. An R40S Pro should be 3.5 inches and 640×480. A listing that says 4.0 inches is describing something else, or is wrong.
- Chip and RAM. Look for RK3326 and 1GB. “4GB” or “8GB” claims don’t match the spec data.
- Battery. It should be listed as 3,800mAh. Treat play-time hours as seller claims.
- Storage type. Check whether it’s a microSD card or built in. On the R40S Pro, the 256GB is a card.
- Wireless and TV claims. Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth or HDMI on an R40S Pro doesn’t match the spec data. Plan on an adapter for WiFi.
- Return window. Make sure a real return policy applies to that seller, in case the unit arrives faulty.
For more on vetting sellers, see how to spot a fake and where to buy the R36 Ultra and R36S. When the device arrives, our quality check guide helps you catch problems while you can still return it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the R40S Pro better than the R36 Ultra?
Not automatically: “R40” isn’t a newer generation than “R36.” The R40S Pro has a 3.5-inch 4:3 screen, an RK3326 chip and a larger listed battery, while the R36 Ultra’s main advantage is its 4.0-inch screen. Choose on screen size and the specs on the listing.
Does the R40S Pro have WiFi or Bluetooth?
Neither is built in. One retail listing says WiFi works only through a USB WiFi adapter on the OTG port, sold separately. Reviews claiming built-in WiFi are wrong.
Can the R40S Pro connect to a TV?
It’s unclear. Some listings advertise TV output through a Type-C OTG adapter, but a public spec database lists no video output, so don’t count on big-screen play.
What’s the difference between the R40S Pro and the R36S?
Both use the RK3326 chip and a 3.5-inch IPS screen, so performance should be similar. The R40S Pro’s battery is listed at 3,800mAh against 2,600mAh for the R36S. The R36S has the bigger community and more firmware guides.
Is the R40 the same as the R40S Pro?
No, they’re sold as different products. The R40 listing doesn’t state screen size, chip or battery, so compare the exact listings rather than assuming shared hardware.
Can the R40S Pro play PSP and N64 games?
Only some. On RK3326-class hardware, PS1 is the comfortable ceiling, while N64 and PSP results vary a lot from game to game.
Our pick: the R36 Ultra
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