WaveShare GPM280 CM3 vs. Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero

Specs, emulation, community reviews, ownership and play history, side by side.

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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).

WaveShare

GPM280 CM3

Details
Price
$150.00
OS
Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox
Released
Dec 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.8 inch IPS
Weight
Unknown

We’re not tracking prices for this one yet.

No reviews yet

Freeplaytech

Freeplay CM3 / Zero

Details
Price
$120.00
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Jan 2017
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.2 inch TFT
Weight
155 grams

We’re not tracking prices for this one yet.

No reviews yet

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGPM280 CM3Freeplay CM3 / Zero
Price$150.00$120.00
OSLinux (RetroPie), RecalboxLinux (RetroPie)
Screen2.8 inch3.2 inch
Resolution640 x 480320 x 240
PanelIPSTFT
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2837Broadcom BCM2837B0
CPUCortex-A53Cortex-A53 (CM3)
RAM1 GB DDR21 GB LPDDR2 (CM3)
Battery1500 mAh2000 mAh
WeightUnknown155 grams
Dimensions136.4 mm x 67.5 mm x 16.8 mm145 mm x 82 mm x 25 mm
Video outNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGPM280 CM3Freeplay CM3 / Zero
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

  • 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 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 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GPM280 CM3 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: 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 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PS2: Sony Playstation 2: 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 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • GPM280 CM3 Wii: Nintendo Wii: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • GPM280 CM3 Switch: Nintendo Switch: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: 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 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Freeplay CM3 / Zero Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 and the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero?
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 WaveShare GPM280 CM3 or the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero?
The Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero is the cheaper of the two at around $120.00, roughly $30.00 less than the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 or the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero?
The WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is the newer model, released in 2020.

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