Device comparison

Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero vs. Anbernic RG-280M

Compare specs, emulation support, community reviews, ownership, and play history.

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Freeplay CM3 / Zero
RG-280M

Shown to scale from each device’s real-world dimensions.

Quick verdict

Best value
RG-280M
Better screen
RG-280M
More portable
Freeplay CM3 / Zero
Newer model
RG-280M

Main differences

  • Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • Anbernic RG-280M is about $15 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Anbernic RG-280M is roughly 30% smaller and 32% lighter.
  • Anbernic RG-280M has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero.
  • Anbernic RG-280M runs OpenDingux; Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero runs Linux (RetroPie).

Freeplaytech

Freeplay CM3 / Zero

Details
Price
$120
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Jan 2017
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.2 inch TFT
Weight
155 grams

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0 collectors

Anbernic

RG-280M

Details
Price
$105
OS
OpenDingux
Released
Jun 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.8 inch IPS
Weight
204 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecFreeplay CM3 / ZeroRG-280M
Price$120$105
OSLinux (RetroPie)OpenDingux
Screen3.2 inch2.8 inch
Resolution320 x 240320 x 480
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2837B0Ingenic JZ4770
CPUCortex-A53 (CM3)XBurst
GPUBroadcom VideoCore IVVivante GC860
RAM1 GB DDR2 (CM3)512 MB DDR2
StorageExternal MicroSDDual External MicroSD
Battery2000 mAh2500 mAh
Weight155 grams204 grams
Dimensions145 mm x 82 mm x 25 mm136 mm x 61 mm x 18 mm
BluetoothYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemFreeplay CM3 / ZeroRG-280M
Classic systems
Game Boy
NES
Genesis
GBA
SNES
PS1
Mid-generation systems
DS
N64
Dreamcast
PSP
Saturn
Sixth-generation systems
GameCube
Wii
PS2
Modern systems
3DS
Switch
Wii U
PS3

Emulation source notes

  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero DS: Nintendo DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • RG-280M DS: Nintendo DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG-280M GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RG-280M N64: Nintendo 64: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG-280M NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG-280M PS1: Sony Playstation: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • RG-280M PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG-280M SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • RG-280M Saturn: Sega Saturn: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG-280M Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG-280M Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG-280M GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RG-280M Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero and the Anbernic RG-280M?
Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero has stronger listed emulation coverage. Anbernic RG-280M is about $15 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Anbernic RG-280M is roughly 30% smaller and 32% lighter. Anbernic RG-280M has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero. Anbernic RG-280M runs OpenDingux; Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero runs Linux (RetroPie).
Which is cheaper, the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero or the Anbernic RG-280M?
The Anbernic RG-280M is the cheaper of the two at around $105, roughly $15 less than the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero or the Anbernic RG-280M?
The Anbernic RG-280M is the newer model, released in 2020.

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