R36 Ultra X Retro Handheld Game Console 4.5" IPS, Wi-Fi

The R36 Ultra X is the big-screen, Wi-Fi model of the vertical R36 design: a 4.5-inch fully laminated IPS screen, Wi-Fi built in, a 3,000mAh battery and RGB-lit analogue sticks, in five translucent colours with 64GB or 128GB storage.

What is the R36 Ultra X?

It is a newer, larger take on the R36S layout. The screen grows from 3.5 to 4.5 inches and is laminated (no air gap under the glass), and Wi-Fi is on the board instead of needing a USB adapter. Inside is a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A35 processor with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, the same class of chip as the rest of the R36 family, so it plays the same systems at much the same speed. You are paying for the screen, the Wi-Fi and the extras, not for more power.

Key features

• 4.5-inch fully laminated IPS screen, 4:3 (1024768 according to the manufacturer)
• Wi-Fi built in, for firmware updates and network features
• Quad-core Cortex-A35 CPU, Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, open-source Linux system
• 3,000mAh battery with USB-C charging
• Dual analogue sticks with RGB light rings, D-pad, ABXY and shoulder buttons
• Dual speakers, vibration motor, volume button with one-touch mute
• OTG port for a wired controller
• Green, Purple, Red, Black or White (translucent shells), 64GB or 128GB

Technical details

How does it compare with the rest of the R36 range?

Against the R36S (from A$79): a screen one inch larger and Wi-Fi built in, on the same class of chip. Against the R36 Ultra (from A$99.95): both have Wi-Fi; the Ultra X swaps the Ultra's 4-inch square screen for a larger 4.5-inch laminated 4:3 one. Against the R36 Max (A$109.95): the Max has a square 4-inch 720720 panel and a bigger 4,000mAh battery, while the Ultra X has the larger 4:3 screen and Wi-Fi. Our R36 collection lists the whole range side by side.

R36 Ultra X quick questions

Does the R36 Ultra X have Wi-Fi?

Yes, Wi-Fi is built in. On the standard R36S you need a USB adapter for it.

Is the R36 Ultra X faster than the R36S?

No. It uses the same class of quad-core Cortex-A35 chip, so systems that are hit-or-miss on the R36S