📢 This Page Has Been Updated

We've reorganized our buying information to better help you make decisions. The content from this page has been split into two focused guides:

🤔 Before You Buy

Pros & cons, device comparisons, and who should buy the R36S

Learn More →

🛒 Where to Buy

Price analysis, trusted sellers, and how to avoid clones & scams

Find Sellers →

Note: The information below is kept for reference, but we recommend visiting the new pages above for the most up-to-date guidance.

Buying Guide and Avoiding Scams

Typical Price Ranges

Model Typical Price Notes
Genuine R36S €25–35 ($27–38 USD) Can drop to €18–22 with sales, coupons, or coins
R36XX (built-in Wi-Fi) €30–32 ~€5 more than base R36S
R36Plus (larger screen, Wi-Fi) €35–36 1:1 square screen, ~€10 more
R36H (horizontal layout) €30–32 Better ergonomics, ~€7 more

🚨 Warning Signs of Overpricing

  • Rebranded models sold as "RetroPixel Pro," "NeoRetro," or similar names
  • Prices above €50/$55 for the base R36S
  • Bundles priced at €80–150 (these are often dropshipped units with markup)

Where to Buy

✅ Recommended Platforms

  • AliExpress – Most common source; look for "Choice" listings to avoid shipping fees
  • Amazon – More expensive due to reseller markup, but faster shipping and easier returns
  • Specialized retro gaming shops – Some online stores curate genuine units

🚨 Red Flags

  • No customer reviews or photos
  • Seller names like "Shop123456" or random characters
  • Stock photos that hide ports, buttons, or internal components
  • Listings mentioning "EmuELEC" or "K36" in the description
  • Extremely low prices (<€20) from unknown sellers
  • Vague specifications or no mention of RK3326 chip

Questions to Ask Sellers Before Buying

  1. Does the device ship with two micro-SD card slots?
  2. What firmware does it run—ArkOS or EmuELEC? (ArkOS is correct for genuine units)
  3. Does it have an FN (function) button?
  4. How much RAM does it have, and how many RAM chips? (Should be 1 GB with two chips)
  5. Can you provide a photo of the boot screen? (Should show ArkOS, not EmuELEC)
  6. Can it boot without a micro-SD card? (Genuine units cannot)
  7. What is the SoC model? (Should be Rockchip RK3326, not RK3128)

Why You Must Replace the Stock SD Card

Every guide and community post emphasizes this: the stock SD cards bundled with the R36S are terrible.

Problems with stock cards:

  • Counterfeit or ultra-cheap NAND chips
  • Prone to corruption within days or weeks
  • Cause boot loops, save failures, and data loss
  • Often mislabeled capacity (e.g., 64 GB card that's actually 8 GB)

What to do:

  1. Back up the stock card immediately (especially the BOOT partition and .dtb files)
  2. Replace it with a quality branded card (Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston)
  3. Test the new card with H2testw or F3 before loading ROMs
  4. Keep the stock card as a backup for the .dtb files only

First-Time Setup Checklist

📋 Day 1 After Unboxing

1. Back up the stock SD card

  • Insert the card into your computer
  • Copy the entire contents to a folder
  • Pay special attention to the BOOT partition and .dtb files

2. Test all hardware functions

  • Press every button and verify it responds
  • Test both analog sticks (full rotation, all directions)
  • Check shoulder buttons (L1/L2/R1/R2)
  • Verify Start, Select, and FN buttons work
  • Test the volume wheel
  • Inspect the screen for dead pixels or discoloration

3. Check battery and charging

  • Plug in a USB-C charger (5V/1–2A recommended)
  • Verify the charging LED lights up
  • Let it charge fully (~4 hours)
  • Power on and check battery life during gameplay

4. Replace the SD card

  • Flash ArkOS or Rocknix to a new branded card
  • Copy your backed-up .dtb file to the BOOT partition
  • Boot the device and verify it works

5. Test the new SD card

  • Run H2testw (Windows), F3 (Linux), or F3X (Mac)
  • Verify full capacity and no errors
  • If errors appear, return the card immediately

6. Configure your setup

  • Set language and timezone
  • Adjust brightness and volume
  • Add ROMs to the EASYROMS partition
  • Test a few games from different systems
  • Configure Wi-Fi if using a dongle

What to Do If You Receive a Clone

⚠️ Immediate Steps

  1. Do not attempt to flash standard ArkOS – This can brick the device
  2. Contact the seller – Request a refund or replacement
  3. Open a dispute if the seller refuses (AliExpress, Amazon, PayPal)
  4. Leave a review warning other buyers

If you decide to keep the clone:

  • Use it with the stock EmuELEC firmware (updating is risky)
  • Stick to 8-bit and 16-bit systems (performance on PS1/N64/PSP will be poor)
  • Accept that community support and custom firmware are limited
  • Do not pay more than €15–18 for a clone
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