top of page
Search

R46S Review – A Horizontal Budget Champ with 720x720 Display and WiFi?

Hey fam! 👋


Looking for a horizontal handheld that combines retro charm with practical modern features? The R46S might just be the hidden gem you didn’t know you needed. With a beautiful 4.0" IPS screen, dual joysticks, and a clean Linux interface, this little powerhouse feels like a serious upgrade from older budget consoles.


🎨 Available Colors

The R46S now comes in:

  • Transparent Black (showing off the internals in a cool understated way)

  • Transparent Purple (for fans of Atomic Purple or classic see-through tech)

  • Solid White (non-transparent, clean and classic)

These choices offer a little something for everyone, whether you're into the nostalgic Game Boy Color vibe or want something sleek and minimalist.


📦 Unboxing Experience

Inside the box, you get:

  • R46S Console

  • USB-C Charging Cable

  • Screen Protector (plus cleaning accessories)

  • User Manual

  • Retail Box

Everything you need to get started is right here — and the inclusion of the screen protector is a big plus at this price point. The box itself is basic but functional.


📺 Display

The R46S sports a 4.0-inch IPS full-view display with a square 720x720 resolution. This aspect ratio is especially good for retro gaming — it evenly accommodates games from consoles like the SNES, GBA, or PS1 without black bars or weird stretching.


The screen is OCA laminated, meaning it reduces glare and increases contrast. You’ll get sharper, richer colors and better visibility in different lighting situations.


🧠 Internal Specs Breakdown

  • CPU: RK3566 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55, up to 1.8GHz)This chip has become the go-to for budget Linux handhelds. It’s powerful enough to handle emulators up to Dreamcast and even some PSP and DS games without much issue.

  • GPU: Integrated Mali-G52 MP2Not the most powerful GPU around, but plenty capable for 2D and many 3D retro-era systems.

  • RAM: 1GB LPDDR4It’s modest, but for Linux-based emulators and lighter systems like GBA, SNES, and PS1, it’s enough. Android handhelds may need more RAM, but here it works.

  • Storage: Dual TF card slots (OS + Games), 64GB or 128GB configurationsPlus, you can expand with your own cards (up to 128GB per slot). Great for keeping separate collections of systems or homebrew vs. commercial titles.

🎮 Controls

  • D-Pad: Tactile and comfortable, similar to what you'd find on higher-end retro handhelds.

  • Dual Analog Sticks: Positioned symmetrically on each side, ideal for N64, PS1, and some Dreamcast games. While not hall-effect, they perform decently for the price.

  • Face Buttons: Responsive and appropriately spaced.

  • Shoulder Buttons: Inline R1/R2 and L1/L2 layout, common in horizontal consoles, great for PS1 and PSP gameplay.

This layout makes the R46S one of the most functional horizontal handhelds under $60, especially for platformers, fighting games, and RPGs.


🔌 Ports & Features

  • Ports:

    • USB-C for charging

    • HDMI out for TV play

    • 3.5mm headphone jack

    • OTG USB for wired controllers

  • Connectivity:

    • Wi-Fi 2.4GHz

    • Bluetooth

    • No RGB lighting or motion controls, but that's expected at this tier

  • Battery: 3500mAh, ~7–8 hours battery life. That’s very respectable for the hardware and screen brightness — easily enough for long flights or road trips.


🕹️ Emulation Performance

Supports over 20 emulators out of the box, including:

  • PSP (God of War might stutter, but 2D games run great)

  • N64

  • PS1

  • Dreamcast

  • SNES, GBA, GB, GBC, NES, Genesis, NeoGeo, CPS1/2/3, and more

This makes the R46S a really good “all-in-one” device for players who want to carry a library of 10k+ games from their childhood in their pocket.


🔧 Customizability

Running on a Linux-based system means it’s easy to customize:

  • You can update firmware, swap in custom UIs like EmuELEC or ArkOS

  • Supports save states, box art scraping, and even multiplayer over WiFi for supported games

  • External controller support via OTG or Bluetooth


💰 Value

At US $50.81, you’re getting:

  • A 720x720 laminated screen

  • A solid plastic shell with nice button feel

  • Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth

  • Support for over 20 systems

  • HDMI output and dual analog sticks


For under 60 bucks, that’s a lot of device. There are handhelds with similar specs selling for $80 or more.


✅ Pros

  • Great screen for retro gaming

  • Dual analog sticks + HDMI out at this price is rare

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth onboard

  • Solid performance for 8-bit, 16-bit, and some 3D systems


❌ Cons

  • Only 1GB of RAM limits Android or heavier OS potential

  • RK3566 can’t handle all PSP/DS/NGC titles smoothly

  • No hall effect sticks

  • No RGB or motion features for those who care about them


🎯 Who Is This For?

👍 Recommended For:

  • Retro gamers looking for a horizontal handheld

  • Kids or new emulation fans

  • Collectors looking for a cheap and capable device


👎 Not Recommended For:

  • Players wanting Android features or touchscreen UI

  • Gamers who need perfect PSP/PS2/GCN performance

  • Anyone who dislikes horizontal form factors


💬 Join the Conversation

If this handheld caught your eye or you’ve already tried one, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your experience in the comments below or join our discussion in the Handheld Hodgepodge forum.


🛒 Where to Buy


Until next time! 👋


P’Nick ✨

コメント

bottom of page