Both the R36S and the Raypodo Z35S / HG3506 sell for $40, share the RockChip RK3326 chip, and top out around Nintendo DS emulation, so the hardware difference between them is narrow. The R36S has been on the market since late 2023, giving it a well-established ArkOS community, while the Z35S / HG3506 arrived in early 2025 and ships with a choice of EmuELEC or ArkOS. Either suits a buyer wanting an affordable vertical-form entry-level device; the Z35S / HG3506 may appeal if software flexibility matters.
| R36S | Z35S / HG3506 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $40 |
| Brand | Game Console | Raypodo |
| Released | 2023 / 10 | 2025 / 01 |
| Type | Vertical | Vertical |
| OS | Linux (ArkOS) | Linux (EmuELEC/ArkOS) |
| Performance | ||
| Chip (SoC) | RockChip RK3326 | RockChip RK3326 |
| CPU | Cortex-A35 | Cortex-A35 |
| GPU | Mali-G31 MP2 | Mali-G31 MP2 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3L | 1 GB DDR3 |
| Storage | Dual External MicroSD (Compatible cards list) | Internal & External MicroSD |
| Cooling | ❌ | ❌ |
| Power tier | Entry | Entry |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 3.5 inch | 3.5 inch |
| Screen type | IPS | IPS |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 640 x 480 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 228.57 PPI | 228.57 PPI |
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Body & battery | ||
| Battery | 3500 mAh (Swappable) | 3000 mAh |
| Weight | 187 grams | — |
| Dimensions | 82 mm x 130 mm x ? mm | 91 mm x 131.3 mm x 38.4 mm |
| Shell | Plastic | Plastic |
| Colors | White, Transparent Black, Transparent Purple | Orange, Black, Transparent Black, Transparent Purple |
| Ports & connectivity | ||
| Wireless | USB-C OTG | USB-C OTG |
| Video out | ❌ | ❌ |
| Charging port | USB-C x2 Bottom facing | USB-C |
| Audio out | 3.5mm Headphone Bottom facing | 3.5mm Headphone |
| Speakers | Single Mono Front facing | Mono Front facing |
| R36S | Z35S / HG3506 | |
|---|---|---|
| Game Boy / Color | A | A |
| NES | A | A |
| Genesis / Mega Drive | A | A |
| Game Boy Advance | A | A |
| SNES | A | A |
| PlayStation 1 | A | A |
| Nintendo DS | B | B |
| Nintendo 64 | C | C |
| Dreamcast | C | C |
| PSP | C | C |
| Sega Saturn | D | D |
| GameCube | F | F |
| Nintendo 3DS | F | F |
| Nintendo Wii | F | F |
| PlayStation 2 | F | F |
| Switch | F | F |
| Wii U | F | F |
| PlayStation 3 | F | F |
Both are closely matched — pick on form factor and price.
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