Budget toy or fuller-featured retro handheld: which is the smarter buy?

Display

Product A wins on basic portability, but Product B wins on overall screen experience. The Zexrow has a 3.0-inch color screen, which is serviceable for simple retro titles but small for modern expectations and can feel cramped in longer sessions. The R36S is widely known as a larger, more capable emulation handheld, and while the exact screen size isn’t listed here, its class typically delivers a more usable view for menus, emulator interfaces, and text-heavy games. For readability, comfort, and less squinting, Product B is the better display choice.

Performance

Product B wins decisively. The Zexrow is positioned as a basic preloaded handheld with 500 classical games, which usually means limited hardware and simple emulation targets. The R36S advertises 30+ mainstream emulators and an open source Linux system, which strongly suggests far broader compatibility and better control over performance tuning. If you want to play more than the most basic 8-bit and 16-bit titles, Product B is the clear winner.

Build quality and design

This is a mixed category, but Product B still edges ahead for serious users. The Zexrow is lighter on features and looks like a straightforward kid-friendly toy, which can be appealing if you want something simple and inexpensive. However, the R36S is built as a more enthusiast-oriented handheld with a Linux-based system and a 128GB configuration, which usually comes with a sturdier, more functional design for longer-term use. The Zexrow may be fine as a gift or casual novelty, but the R36S feels like the more substantial device.

Battery life

Product B wins by a wide margin. The Zexrow’s 1020mAh rechargeable battery is modest and likely best suited to short sessions. The R36S features a 3500mAh battery, which is more than triple the capacity and should translate to significantly longer playtime between charges, especially when running more demanding emulators. For travel, commuting, or extended couch sessions, Product B is the better choice.

Price and value for money

Product A wins on pure affordability, but Product B wins on value. The Zexrow costs £19.88, while the R36S costs £35.49, a difference of £15.61. That extra spend buys you a much larger game library, a Linux system, 30+ emulators, 128GB storage, and a far bigger battery. If your budget is extremely tight, Product A is the cheapest way to get a retro handheld, but for most buyers Product B offers substantially more for the money.

Game library and features

Product B wins easily. Zexrow includes 500 classical games and TV output plus two-player support, which is nice for a simple family-friendly device. But the R36S claims 40,000+ classic games and support for 30+ mainstream emulators, which is a dramatically more flexible package. Even allowing for the usual caveat that huge game counts can be inflated or uneven in quality, Product B still offers much broader variety, more systems, and better long-term replay value.

Overall user experience

Product B wins for anyone who actually wants to play retro games seriously. The Zexrow is the simpler, cheaper, more giftable option, and its small game count may be enough for children or very casual users. But the R36S delivers the stronger combination of battery life, emulator support, storage, and overall versatility. It is the more complete handheld and the better fit for people who want to explore multiple systems rather than just sample a few built-in classics.

Overall summary: The Zexrow is the budget-friendly pick if you want the lowest possible price and a basic retro toy with TV-out. The R36S is the better handheld by a large margin in screen usability, battery life, emulation power, and game-library depth. Unless saving £15.61 is the top priority, Product B is the smarter buy.