Device comparison

Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero vs. WaveShare GPM280 CM3

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

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Freeplay CM3 / Zero
GPM280 CM3

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Freeplay CM3 / Zero
Better screen
GPM280 CM3
More portable
GPM280 CM3
Newer model
GPM280 CM3

Main differences

  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has similar emulation coverage to Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero.
  • Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero is about $30 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is roughly 23% smaller.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox; 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

No reviews yet

0 collectors

WaveShare

GPM280 CM3

Details
Price
$150
OS
Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox
Released
Dec 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.8 inch IPS
Weight
?

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecFreeplay CM3 / ZeroGPM280 CM3
Price$120$150
OSLinux (RetroPie)Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox
Screen3.2 inch2.8 inch
Resolution320 x 240640 x 480
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2837B0Broadcom BCM2837
CPUCortex-A53 (CM3)Cortex-A53
RAM1 GB DDR2 (CM3)1 GB DDR2
Battery2000 mAh1500 mAh
Weight155 grams?
Dimensions145 mm x 82 mm x 25 mm136.4 mm x 67.5 mm x 16.8 mm
Video outYesNo
BluetoothYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemFreeplay CM3 / ZeroGPM280 CM3
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
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 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
  • GPM280 CM3 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero and the WaveShare GPM280 CM3?
WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has similar emulation coverage to Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero. Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero is about $30 cheaper based on catalog pricing. WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is roughly 23% smaller. WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero. WaveShare GPM280 CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox; Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero runs Linux (RetroPie).
Which is cheaper, the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero or the WaveShare GPM280 CM3?
The Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero is the cheaper of the two at around $120, roughly $30 less than the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero or the WaveShare GPM280 CM3?
The WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is the newer model, released in 2020.

Compare Freeplay CM3 / Zero with