Anbernic RG40XXV vs. R36S: Bigger 4-Inch Screen or Two Analog Sticks?

Below, I compare the hardware specs, the four retro systems where losing the right analog stick hurts most, the 228 PPI versus 200 PPI screen math, and what actually arrives on the microSD card.

Anbernic RG40XXV vs. R36S Specs: 4.0-Inch Single-Stick H700 vs. 3.5-Inch Dual-Stick RK3326

The Anbernic RG40XXV (Allwinner H700) and 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99, Rockchip RK3326) both drive 640x480 screens with 1GB RAM and a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. The RG40XXV adds Wi-Fi, mini-HDMI, and faster cores; the R36S keeps a right analog stick and a sharper 228 PPI panel.

In this r/SBCGaming comparison thread and this r/ANBERNIC buyer discussion, the same two physical trade-offs keep coming up: screen size (4.0 inches vs. 3.5 inches) and stick count (one vs. two). According to the RetroCatalog Anbernic RG-40XXV specification sheet, Anbernic built the RG40XXV into a 92 x 139 mm vertical shell (up to 22 mm thick) weighing 217 grams, with a single RGB-lit analog stick on the lower left and nothing on the lower right.

Our 2Bluebox R36S, covered in our R36S review, uses a narrower 82 x 130 mm vertical shell (about 187 grams, per RetroCatalog's R36S listing) built around a 3.5-inch 640x480 (4:3) IPS screen and two analog thumbsticks:

• Processor and wireless extras: The Anbernic RG40XXV pairs a quad-core Allwinner H700 (ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.5GHz) with 1GB LPDDR4 RAM, a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, and mini-HDMI output. The 2Bluebox R36S runs a Dual-RAM Rockchip RK3326 (ARM Cortex-A35 at 1.5GHz) with 1GB DDR3L RAM and the same Mali-G31 MP2 GPU on ArkOS 2.0. The H700's newer cores and faster memory give the RG40XXV more headroom for PSP, N64, and Dreamcast, while the R36S trades Wi-Fi, HDMI, and some speed for a second stick and a smaller footprint.
• Same 3200mAh battery capacity on both machines: Despite pushing a larger 4.0-inch backlight and an RGB joystick ring, the RG40XXV uses the same 3200mAh battery capacity found in the 3.5-inch R36S.

Table 1 lines up the specifications of our 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99) and the Anbernic RG40XXV. To see how both models compare against the rest of the entry-level field, check our guide to the best retro handheld consoles in 2026.

Table 1: 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99, 2bluebox.com) vs. Anbernic RG40XXV Specs

"Tested on our unit" means we checked it on a device we own. "Manufacturer spec" means the maker states it and we haven't verified it ourselves. "Community reports" means players report it, and results can vary.

Removing the right thumbstick gives the front of the RG40XXV a clean look, right up until you boot a console or arcade board that expects inputs on both thumbs.

Right-Stick Games: 4 Systems Where the RG40XXV's Single Stick Falls Short

The RG40XXV's single left stick is fine for 8-bit and 16-bit games, but N64, Nintendo DS, twin-stick arcade, and DualShock PS1 games expect a right stick, which the 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99) has and the RG40XXV replaces with button remaps.

On a single-stick handheld like the Anbernic RG40XXV, your left thumb has both a D-Pad and an analog stick while your right thumb only has four digital A/B/X/Y buttons. On the R36S, the second stick earns its place well beyond modern 3D shooters, because the emulators inside ArkOS 2.0 can use it for four classic control problems:

One honest caveat for N64 fans: the RK3326 runs lighter N64 games well, while heavier ones can slow down, and the RG40XXV's H700 generally has more headroom there (community reports). The R36S gives you the right controls; the RG40XXV gives you more raw speed. If smooth PS2, GameCube, or demanding N64 is the real goal, look at the Verdict section below.

On the 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99), ArkOS 2.0 (documented on the ArkOS GitHub Wiki) gives these emulators access to the right analog stick, and you can check or set the mapping for each system in about a minute:

1. Launch a PS1 DualShock or N64 game from the ArkOS 2.0 system carousel on your 2Bluebox R36S.
2. Press FN + X (or SELECT + X on older hotkey layouts) to open the RetroArch Quick Menu.
3. Verify dual-stick or C-Button assignment under Controls > Port 1 Controls (set Device Type to DualShock on PS1, or check Right Analog X/Y for N64 C-Buttons).
4. Save the controller layout for that console by selecting Controls > Save Core Remap File, then press FN + X to return to your game.

Giving up the right analog stick means fighting modifier-button combos every time you boot an N64, Nintendo DS, or twin-stick arcade game. If you want a vertical handheld with both analog sticks, a verified Dual-RAM RK3326 board, and 15,768 preloaded files ready on day one, here's the 2Bluebox R36S Handheld ($79.99):

3.5-Inch (228 PPI) vs. 4.0-Inch (200 PPI) & Pocket Carry Comfort

Both screens run the same 640x480 resolution, so the RG40XXV's 4.0-inch panel shows the same game detail with bigger pixels (200 PPI). The 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99) packs them at a sharper 228 PPI in a narrower, lighter shell.

A common assumption when comparing a 4.0-inch screen to a 3.5-inch screen is that the larger display renders a higher-resolution picture. Here, both the Anbernic RG40XXV and the 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99) use a 640x480 (4:3) IPS matrix totaling 307,200 pixels:

• Pixel sharpness (228 PPI on R36S vs. 200 PPI on RG40XXV): Packing 640x480 into the R36S's 3.5-inch screen yields 228 pixels per inch (PPI), giving 2x-scaled 320x240 PS1 and N64 games a tight, crisp look at handheld viewing distance. Stretching those same pixels across the RG40XXV's 4.0-inch panel drops density by roughly 12% to 200 PPI (31% larger surface area per pixel). If you're past 40 and reach for reading glasses at night, that larger text is a real plus, at the cost of slightly coarser pixel edges.
• Jacket-pocket carry vs. bag carry: Per RetroCatalog's RG-40XXV specs, the 4.0-inch panel pushes the RG40XXV's width to 92 mm (3.62 inches) and its weight to 217 grams. The R36S measures about 82 x 130 mm and 187 grams, so it's 10 mm narrower and roughly 30 grams lighter, which makes it the easier fit for a jacket pocket or small sling bag on your commute.

If you are also looking at Anbernic's horizontal 3:2 GBA-style handheld or a 4.0-inch 1:1 square-screen alternative with two sticks, compare them in our Anbernic RG34XX vs. R36S screen ratio comparison and our R36S vs. R36Max 4-inch screen comparison.

Pre-Loaded Games & Where You Buy: Stock Anbernic Card vs. 2Bluebox ArkOS 2.0

What ships on an Anbernic RG40XXV card depends on the seller. Every 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99, 2bluebox.com) arrives with 15,768 preloaded files (12,805 unique games) searchable at /pages/r36s-games-list, a Dual-RAM RK3326 board, and a 30-day replacement guarantee.

When you order an import handheld like the RG40XXV, what's on the game card depends on the seller and the storage option you pick. If you'd rather not spend your first evening formatting cards, flashing community firmware (muOS or KNULLI), and copying ROM and BIOS folders over from a PC, check the game catalog before you pay.

Back when I used to pop open SNES shells to check the PCB and scrub the brass pins with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip, I learned that what sits inside the shell matters more than the label on the outside. The same rule applies to the microSD card and motherboard inside a budget handheld:

• Searchable 15,768-file game catalog (12,805 unique games): Before you buy, open our public verified 15,768 R36S games list and search for the exact GBA, SNES, PS1, N64, and arcade games you want to play across the preconfigured 64GB card.
• Genuine Dual-RAM RK3326 motherboard vs. K36 clones: As documented in the archived Handhelds Wiki R36S Buying Guide, some marketplace sellers ship K36 clone variants with EmuELEC firmware that can't run standard ArkOS. Every R36S from 2Bluebox LLC (1500 N Grant St, STE N, Denver, CO 80203) uses the Dual-RAM RK3326 board (1GB DDR3L) on ArkOS 2.0 with a removable 3200mAh battery.

Table 2 compares buying from 2bluebox.com against an Anbernic RG40XXV import listing or an unbranded R36S marketplace seller.

Table 2: 2Bluebox (2bluebox.com) vs. Anbernic RG40XXV Import vs. Unbranded R36S Listings

At home, I'm the one explaining to my seven-year-old daughter why 1990s games won't let you save anywhere you like, which is exactly why save states matter in daily play. Both handhelds support them; on the R36S, pressing FN + R1 saves your exact spot and FN + L1 loads it right back, so a 15-minute train ride or the quiet stretch before bed still counts as progress.

Verdict: Should You Buy the Anbernic RG40XXV or the 2Bluebox R36S?

Pick the Anbernic RG40XXV for a 4.0-inch screen, Wi-Fi, mini-HDMI, and more speed if you don't need a right stick. Choose the 2Bluebox R36S ($79.99) for two analog sticks, a sharper 228 PPI screen, a lighter shell, and 15,768 preloaded files.

Match your play style to the right device below:

• Choose the 2Bluebox R36S Handheld Console ($79.99) if: You want both analog sticks for N64 C-Buttons, Nintendo DS stylus control, twin-stick arcade shooters, and DualShock PS1 games, a sharper 228 PPI 3.5-inch IPS screen in a lighter 187g vertical shell, and 15,768 preloaded files (12,805 unique games) backed by our 30-Day Hardware & MicroSD Replacement Guarantee. Skip it if you need built-in Wi-Fi or HDMI TV output.
• Choose the Anbernic RG40XXV if: You prefer a wider 4.0-inch vertical handheld (92 mm wide, 217g) with larger on-screen text for 2D RPGs, built-in Wi-Fi, mini-HDMI output, and more headroom for PSP and N64, and you don't mind setting up your own card with muOS or KNULLI and a ROM library on a computer. Skip it if you play games that use a right analog stick.
• Choose the 2Bluebox Retro Game Stick 4K Pro ($59.98) if: You looked at the RG40XXV's mini-HDMI port because you want to play on a television. Instead of cabling a single-player handheld to your TV, plug our SEGAM-M8-V5.0 4K HDMI stick straight into your television and play with two wireless 2.4GHz controllers across 14,755 unique games (/pages/all-games). Skip it if you want a portable screen for travel.
• Choose the 2Bluebox Portable HDD Super Console 500GB ($64.99) if: You want PS2, GameCube, Wii, and heavier 3D PSP games, which neither handheld chip runs well. This external Batocera Linux drive boots a Windows PC or laptop over USB 3.0 and uses your computer's CPU and GPU across 110,686 games (/pages/hdd-super-console-game-list). Skip it if you only own an Apple Silicon Mac.

Whether you want a dual-stick 228 PPI pocket console for your commute or a two-player HDMI TV system for the living room, both 2Bluebox packages include Free Tracked Shipping on orders from $50 to the US, UK, Canada, Australia & EU and our 30-Day Hardware & MicroSD Replacement Guarantee:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

The Anbernic RG40XXV makes sense if you want a wider 4.0-inch vertical handheld with built-in Wi-Fi, mini-HDMI, and a bit more chip headroom, and you enjoy setting up your own microSD card and firmware. Once you step into Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, twin-stick arcade classics, or DualShock PS1 games, though, that missing right analog stick and the wider 92 mm body become daily compromises.

If you want a pocket-sized vertical handheld with a sharper 228 PPI 3.5-inch 4:3 IPS display, two analog sticks, a removable 3200mAh battery, and 15,768 preloaded files ready the moment you turn it on, the 2Bluebox R36S Handheld ($79.99) is the more complete all-around package.

Check the game list, use a 5V USB-A charger, and Press Start.