diff --git a/audio/drivers/alsa.c b/audio/drivers/alsa.c
index 63e423b3cd..096a000179 100644
--- a/audio/drivers/alsa.c
+++ b/audio/drivers/alsa.c
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ static void *alsa_device_list_new(void *data)
       /* description of device IOID - input / output identifcation
        * ("Input" or "Output"), NULL means both) */
 
-      if (!io || string_is_equal(io,"Output"))
+      if (!io || (memcmp(io, "Output", 6) == 0))
          string_list_append(s, name, attr);
 
       if (name)
diff --git a/audio/drivers/alsathread.c b/audio/drivers/alsathread.c
index 5ea11f2d0d..ecfe61556c 100644
--- a/audio/drivers/alsathread.c
+++ b/audio/drivers/alsathread.c
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ static void *alsa_device_list_new(void *data)
       /* description of device IOID - input / output identifcation
        * ("Input" or "Output"), NULL means both) */
 
-      if (!io || string_is_equal(io,"Output"))
+      if (!io || (memcmp(io,"Output", 6) == 0))
          string_list_append(s, name, attr);
 
       if (name)
diff --git a/frontend/drivers/platform_linux.c b/frontend/drivers/platform_linux.c
index d0fc3013d1..d56237f2a6 100644
--- a/frontend/drivers/platform_linux.c
+++ b/frontend/drivers/platform_linux.c
@@ -959,7 +959,7 @@ static bool frontend_linux_powerstate_check_apm(
 
    if (!next_string(&ptr, &str))     /* remaining battery life time units */
       goto error;
-   else if (string_is_equal(str, "min"))
+   else if (memcmp(str, "min", 3) == 0)
       battery_time *= 60;
 
    if (battery_flag == 0xFF) /* unknown state */
@@ -1289,7 +1289,7 @@ static void frontend_linux_get_env(int *argc,
    if (android_app->getStringExtra && jstr)
    {
       const char *argv = (*env)->GetStringUTFChars(env, jstr, 0);
-      bool used = (string_is_equal(argv, "false")) ? false : true;
+      bool used        = (memcmp(argv, "false", 5) == 0) ? false : true;
 
       (*env)->ReleaseStringUTFChars(env, jstr, argv);
 
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/d3d.cpp b/gfx/drivers/d3d.cpp
index 6a2303da50..258eefcceb 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/d3d.cpp
+++ b/gfx/drivers/d3d.cpp
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ static bool d3d_init_multipass(d3d_video_t *d3d)
 static bool d3d_process_shader(d3d_video_t *d3d)
 {
 #ifdef HAVE_FBO
-   if (string_is_equal(path_get_extension(d3d->shader_path.c_str()), "cgp"))
+   if (memcmp(path_get_extension(d3d->shader_path.c_str()), "cgp", 3) == 0)
       return d3d_init_multipass(d3d);
 #endif
 
diff --git a/gfx/drivers_context/wayland_ctx.c b/gfx/drivers_context/wayland_ctx.c
index 5314326930..fbd20d128a 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers_context/wayland_ctx.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers_context/wayland_ctx.c
@@ -499,22 +499,22 @@ static void registry_handle_global(void *data, struct wl_registry *reg,
 
    (void)version;
 
-   if (string_is_equal(interface, "wl_compositor"))
+   if (memcmp(interface, "wl_compositor", 13) == 0)
       wl->compositor = (struct wl_compositor*)wl_registry_bind(reg,
             id, &wl_compositor_interface, 3);
-   else if (string_is_equal(interface, "wl_output"))
+   else if (memcmp(interface, "wl_output", 9) == 0)
    {
       output = (struct wl_output*)wl_registry_bind(reg,
             id, &wl_output_interface, 2);
       wl_output_add_listener(output, &output_listener, wl);
       wl_display_roundtrip(wl->dpy);
    }
-   else if (string_is_equal(interface, "wl_shell"))
+   else if (memcmp(interface, "wl_shell", 8) == 0)
       wl->shell = (struct wl_shell*)
          wl_registry_bind(reg, id, &wl_shell_interface, 1);
-   else if (string_is_equal(interface, "wl_shm"))
+   else if (memcmp(interface, "wl_shm", 6) == 0)
       wl->shm = (struct wl_shm*)wl_registry_bind(reg, id, &wl_shm_interface, 1);
-   else if (string_is_equal(interface, "wl_seat"))
+   else if (memcmp(interface, "wl_seat", 7) == 0)
    {
       wl->seat = (struct wl_seat*)wl_registry_bind(reg, id, &wl_seat_interface, 4);
       wl_seat_add_listener(wl->seat, &seat_listener, wl);
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_chs.c b/intl/msg_hash_chs.c
index 1e618aaadc..227965a229 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_chs.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_chs.c
@@ -753,7 +753,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "当前视频驱动.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "OpenGL视频驱动. \n"
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "dependent on your graphics card's \n"
                   "underlying GL driver).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL 2 视频驱动.\n"
@@ -779,7 +779,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "core implementations is dependent \n"
                   "on your platform SDL implementation.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL 视频驱动.\n"
@@ -790,7 +790,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Performance is considered to be suboptimal. \n"
                   "Consider using it only as a last resort.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Direct3D 视频驱动. \n"
@@ -799,7 +799,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "is dependent on your graphic card's \n"
                   "underlying D3D driver).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Exynos-G2D 视频驱动. \n"
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Performance for software rendered cores \n"
                   "should be optimal.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "drm"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "drm", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Plain DRM 视频驱动. \n"
@@ -820,7 +820,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_chs_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "libdrm for hardware scaling using \n"
                   "GPU overlays.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Sunxi-G2D 视频驱动. \n"
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_de.c b/intl/msg_hash_de.c
index f4e68c2ffb..7b175e4a15 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_de.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_de.c
@@ -771,7 +771,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Aktueller Grafiktreiber");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "OpenGL-Grafiktreiber. \n"
@@ -784,7 +784,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "als auch bei libretro-GL-Cores, hängt von dem \n"
                   "GL-Treiber deiner Grafikkarte ab.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL2-Grafiktreiber.\n"
@@ -795,7 +795,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Die Leistung hängt von der SDL- \n"
                   "Implementierung deiner Plattform ab.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL-Grafiktreiber.\n"
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "solltest diesen Treiber nur als letzte \n"
                   "Möglichkeit verwenden.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
              snprintf(s, len,
                   "Direct3D-Grafiktreiber. \n"
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Cores hängt von dem D3D-Treiber deiner \n"
                   "Grafikkarte ab.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Exynos-G2D-Grafiktreiber. \n"
@@ -828,7 +828,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Die Leistung bei software-gerendeten Cores sollte \n"
                   "optimal sein.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "drm"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "drm", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "DRM-Grafiktreiber \n"
@@ -837,7 +837,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_de_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Er verwendet libdrm für Hardware-Skalierung und \n"
                   "GPU-Overlays.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Sunxi-G2D-Grafiktreiber\n"
@@ -2032,7 +2032,7 @@ const char *msg_hash_to_str_de(enum msg_hash_enums msg)
 #ifdef HAVE_MENU
    const char *ret = menu_hash_to_str_de_label_enum(msg);
 
-   if (ret && !string_is_equal(ret, "null"))
+   if (ret && (memcmp(ret, "null", 4) != 0))
       return ret;
 #endif
 
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_es.c b/intl/msg_hash_es.c
index a1b341c5df..d0fcf01819 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_es.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_es.c
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Controlador de vídeo actual.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo OpenGL. \n"
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "del controlador GL que tenga tu \n"
                   "tarjeta gráfica.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo SDL 2.\n"
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "libretro por software depende de la \n"
                   "implementación SDL de tu plataforma.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo SDL.\n"
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "a lo óptimo. Utilízalo únicamente como \n"
                   "último recurso.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo Direct3D. \n"
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "del controlador D3D de tu tarjeta \n"
                   "gráfica.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo Exynos-G2D. \n"
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "renderizados por software debería \n"
                   "ser óptimo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "drm"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "drm", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo de DRM simple. \n"
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_es_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   " \n"
                   "El blitting se hace por software.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Controlador de vídeo Sunxi-G2D. \n"
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_it.c b/intl/msg_hash_it.c
index 4118f949d9..689f87dd56 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_it.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_it.c
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_it_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Driver video attuale.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Diver video OpenGL. \n"
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_it_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "dalla tua scheda grafica \n"
                   "sottostante driver GL).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver video SDL 2.\n"
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_it_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "renderizzati via software dipende \n"
                   "dall'implementazzione sulla tua piattaforma SDL.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver video SDL.\n"
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_it_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Le performance sono considerate quasi ottimali. \n"
                   "Considera di usare questo soltanto come ultima scelta.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver video Direct3D. \n"
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_it_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "software dipende dal driver D3D inerente \n"
                   "alla tua scheda video).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Exynos-G2D Video Driver. \n"
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_it_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Le performance per i core renderizzati via software \n"
                   "dovrebbero essere ottimali.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver video Sunxi-G2D. \n"
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_ja.c b/intl/msg_hash_ja.c
index 50a9cbe4de..f1ec2ff140 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_ja.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_ja.c
@@ -780,7 +780,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Current Video driver.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "OpenGL Video driver. \n"
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "dependent on your graphics card's \n"
                   "underlying GL driver).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL 2 Video driver.\n"
@@ -806,7 +806,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "core implementations is dependent \n"
                   "on your platform SDL implementation.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL Video driver.\n"
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Performance is considered to be suboptimal. \n"
                   "Consider using it only as a last resort.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Direct3D Video driver. \n"
@@ -826,7 +826,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "is dependent on your graphic card's \n"
                   "underlying D3D driver).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Exynos-G2D Video Driver. \n"
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Performance for software rendered cores \n"
                   "should be optimal.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "drm"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "drm", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Plain DRM Video Driver. \n"
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_jp_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "libdrm for hardware scaling using \n"
                   "GPU overlays.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Sunxi-G2D Video Driver. \n"
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_ko.c b/intl/msg_hash_ko.c
index a395a19571..42028d3b1e 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_ko.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_ko.c
@@ -769,67 +769,79 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_ko_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len) {
             snprintf(s, len,
                      "Current Video driver.");
 
-            if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "OpenGL Video driver. \n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "This driver allows libretro GL cores to  \n"
-                                 "be used in addition to software-rendered \n"
-                                 "core implementations.\n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "Performance for software-rendered and \n"
-                                 "libretro GL core implementations is \n"
-                                 "dependent on your graphics card's \n"
-                                 "underlying GL driver).");
-            } else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "SDL 2 Video driver.\n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "This is an SDL 2 software-rendered video \n"
-                                 "driver.\n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "Performance for software-rendered libretro \n"
-                                 "core implementations is dependent \n"
-                                 "on your platform SDL implementation.");
-            } else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "SDL Video driver.\n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "This is an SDL 1.2 software-rendered video \n"
-                                 "driver.\n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "Performance is considered to be suboptimal. \n"
-                                 "Consider using it only as a last resort.");
-            } else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "Direct3D Video driver. \n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "Performance for software-rendered cores \n"
-                                 "is dependent on your graphic card's \n"
-                                 "underlying D3D driver).");
-            } else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "Exynos-G2D Video Driver. \n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "This is a low-level Exynos video driver. \n"
-                                 "Uses the G2D block in Samsung Exynos SoC \n"
-                                 "for blit operations. \n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "Performance for software rendered cores \n"
-                                 "should be optimal.");
-            } else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "drm")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "Plain DRM Video Driver. \n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "This is a low-level video driver using. \n"
-                                 "libdrm for hardware scaling using \n"
-                                 "GPU overlays.");
-            } else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi")) {
-                snprintf(s, len,
-                         "Sunxi-G2D Video Driver. \n"
-                                 " \n"
-                                 "This is a low-level Sunxi video driver. \n"
-                                 "Uses the G2D block in Allwinner SoCs.");
+            if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "OpenGL Video driver. \n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "This driver allows libretro GL cores to  \n"
+                     "be used in addition to software-rendered \n"
+                     "core implementations.\n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "Performance for software-rendered and \n"
+                     "libretro GL core implementations is \n"
+                     "dependent on your graphics card's \n"
+                     "underlying GL driver).");
+            }
+            else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "SDL 2 Video driver.\n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "This is an SDL 2 software-rendered video \n"
+                     "driver.\n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "Performance for software-rendered libretro \n"
+                     "core implementations is dependent \n"
+                     "on your platform SDL implementation.");
+            }
+            else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "SDL Video driver.\n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "This is an SDL 1.2 software-rendered video \n"
+                     "driver.\n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "Performance is considered to be suboptimal. \n"
+                     "Consider using it only as a last resort.");
+            }
+            else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "Direct3D Video driver. \n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "Performance for software-rendered cores \n"
+                     "is dependent on your graphic card's \n"
+                     "underlying D3D driver).");
+            }
+            else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "Exynos-G2D Video Driver. \n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "This is a low-level Exynos video driver. \n"
+                     "Uses the G2D block in Samsung Exynos SoC \n"
+                     "for blit operations. \n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "Performance for software rendered cores \n"
+                     "should be optimal.");
+            } else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "drm", 3) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "Plain DRM Video Driver. \n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "This is a low-level video driver using. \n"
+                     "libdrm for hardware scaling using \n"
+                     "GPU overlays.");
+            }
+            else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
+            {
+               snprintf(s, len,
+                     "Sunxi-G2D Video Driver. \n"
+                     " \n"
+                     "This is a low-level Sunxi video driver. \n"
+                     "Uses the G2D block in Allwinner SoCs.");
             }
             break;
         case MENU_ENUM_LABEL_AUDIO_DSP_PLUGIN:
@@ -1986,7 +1998,7 @@ const char *msg_hash_to_str_ko(enum msg_hash_enums msg) {
 #ifdef HAVE_MENU
     const char *ret = menu_hash_to_str_ko_label_enum(msg);
 
-    if (ret && !string_is_equal(ret, "null"))
+    if (ret && (memcmp(ret, "null", 4) != 0))
        return ret;
 #endif
 
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_pt_br.c b/intl/msg_hash_pt_br.c
index cc6d4fda70..6a8b8d9483 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_pt_br.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_pt_br.c
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_br_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Driver de Vídeo em uso.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo OpenGL. \n"
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_br_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "depende do driver GL instalado em sua \n"
                   "placa de vídeo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo SDL 2.\n"
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_br_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "renderização por software depende da \n"
                   "implementação SDL de sua plataforma.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo SDL.\n"
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_br_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "O desemprenho é considerado subótimo. \n"
                   "Considere seu uso apenas em último caso.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo Direct3D. \n"
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_br_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "renderização por software depende do driver \n"
                   "D3D instalado em sua placa de vídeo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo Exynos-G2D. \n"
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_br_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "O desempenho para cores de renderização por \n"
                   "software deve ser ótimo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo Sunxi-G2D. \n"
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_pt_pt.c b/intl/msg_hash_pt_pt.c
index ff684f1d98..606168e41a 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_pt_pt.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_pt_pt.c
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_pt_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Driver de Vídeo em uso.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo OpenGL. \n"
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_pt_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "depende do driver GL instalado em sua \n"
                   "placa de vídeo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo SDL 2.\n"
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_pt_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "renderização por software depende da \n"
                   "implementação SDL de sua plataforma.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo SDL.\n"
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_pt_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "O desemprenho é considerado subótimo. \n"
                   "Considere seu uso apenas em último caso.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo Direct3D. \n"
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_pt_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "renderização por software depende do driver \n"
                   "D3D instalado em sua placa de vídeo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo Exynos-G2D. \n"
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_pt_pt_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "O desempenho para cores de renderização por \n"
                   "software deve ser ótimo.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Driver de Vídeo Sunxi-G2D. \n"
diff --git a/intl/msg_hash_vn.c b/intl/msg_hash_vn.c
index 6c83a00cce..e25afba471 100644
--- a/intl/msg_hash_vn.c
+++ b/intl/msg_hash_vn.c
@@ -780,7 +780,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
          snprintf(s, len,
                "Current Video driver.");
 
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "gl"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "gl", 2) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "OpenGL Video driver. \n"
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "dependent on your graphics card's \n"
                   "underlying GL driver).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl2"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl2", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL 2 Video driver.\n"
@@ -806,7 +806,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "core implementations is dependent \n"
                   "on your platform SDL implementation.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sdl1"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sdl1", 4) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "SDL Video driver.\n"
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Performance is considered to be suboptimal. \n"
                   "Consider using it only as a last resort.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "d3d"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "d3d", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Direct3D Video driver. \n"
@@ -826,7 +826,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "is dependent on your graphic card's \n"
                   "underlying D3D driver).");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "exynos"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "exynos", 6) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Exynos-G2D Video Driver. \n"
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "Performance for software rendered cores \n"
                   "should be optimal.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "drm"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "drm", 3) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Plain DRM Video Driver. \n"
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ int menu_hash_get_help_vn_enum(enum msg_hash_enums msg, char *s, size_t len)
                   "libdrm for hardware scaling using \n"
                   "GPU overlays.");
          }
-         else if (string_is_equal(settings->video.driver, "sunxi"))
+         else if (memcmp(settings->video.driver, "sunxi", 5) == 0)
          {
             snprintf(s, len,
                   "Sunxi-G2D Video Driver. \n"
diff --git a/libretro-common/net/net_http.c b/libretro-common/net/net_http.c
index 3500bef22d..4bf6b28382 100644
--- a/libretro-common/net/net_http.c
+++ b/libretro-common/net/net_http.c
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ struct http_t *net_http_new(struct http_connection_t *conn)
       net_http_send_str(fd, &error, "\r\n");
    }
 
-   if (conn->methodcopy && string_is_equal(conn->methodcopy, "POST"))
+   if (conn->methodcopy && (memcmp(conn->methodcopy, "POST", 4) == 0))
    {
       size_t post_len, len;
       char *len_str        = NULL;
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ struct http_t *net_http_new(struct http_connection_t *conn)
    net_http_send_str(fd, &error, "Connection: close\r\n");
    net_http_send_str(fd, &error, "\r\n");
 
-   if (conn->methodcopy && string_is_equal(conn->methodcopy, "POST"))
+   if (conn->methodcopy && (memcmp(conn->methodcopy, "POST", 4) == 0))
       net_http_send_str(fd, &error, conn->postdatacopy);
 
    if (error)
diff --git a/libretro-db/libretrodb_tool.c b/libretro-db/libretrodb_tool.c
index 8dcd88abe7..b7e05524b6 100644
--- a/libretro-db/libretrodb_tool.c
+++ b/libretro-db/libretrodb_tool.c
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ int main(int argc, char ** argv)
       printf("Could not open db file '%s': %s\n", path, strerror(-rv));
       goto error;
    }
-   else if (string_is_equal(command, "list"))
+   else if (memcmp(command, "list", 4) == 0)
    {
       if ((rv = libretrodb_cursor_open(db, cur, NULL)) != 0)
       {
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ int main(int argc, char ** argv)
          rmsgpack_dom_value_free(&item);
       }
    }
-   else if (string_is_equal(command, "find"))
+   else if (memcmp(command, "find", 4) == 0)
    {
       if (argc != 4)
       {
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ int main(int argc, char ** argv)
          rmsgpack_dom_value_free(&item);
       }
    }
-   else if (string_is_equal(command, "create-index"))
+   else if (memcmp(command, "create-index", 12) == 0)
    {
       const char * index_name, * field_name;
 
diff --git a/menu/drivers/xmb.c b/menu/drivers/xmb.c
index 4efcf22309..bb96bef20b 100644
--- a/menu/drivers/xmb.c
+++ b/menu/drivers/xmb.c
@@ -941,7 +941,7 @@ static void xmb_update_thumbnail_path(void *data, unsigned i)
       playlist_get_index(playlist, i,
             NULL, NULL, NULL, &core_name, NULL, NULL);
 
-      if (core_name && string_is_equal(core_name, "imageviewer"))
+      if (core_name && (memcmp(core_name, "imageviewer", 11) == 0))
       {
          strlcpy(xmb->thumbnail_file_path, entry.label,
                sizeof(xmb->thumbnail_file_path));
@@ -1011,9 +1011,9 @@ static void xmb_update_savestate_thumbnail_path(void *data, unsigned i)
    xmb->savestate_thumbnail_file_path[0] = '\0';
 
    if (     (settings->savestate_thumbnail_enable)
-         && (string_is_equal(entry.label, "state_slot")
-         || (string_is_equal(entry.label, "loadstate"))
-         || (string_is_equal(entry.label, "savestate"))))
+         && ((memcmp(entry.label, "state_slot", 10) == 0)
+         || (memcmp(entry.label, "loadstate", 9) == 0)
+         || (memcmp(entry.label, "savestate", 9) == 0)))
    {
       char path[PATH_MAX_LENGTH];
       global_t         *global = global_get_ptr();
diff --git a/menu/menu_displaylist.c b/menu/menu_displaylist.c
index e245d76a8f..42d7becaf6 100644
--- a/menu/menu_displaylist.c
+++ b/menu/menu_displaylist.c
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ static void print_buf_lines(file_list_t *list, char *buf,
 
                   if (!string_is_empty(last))
                   {
-                     if (!string_is_equal(last, "_libretro"))
+                     if (memcmp(last, "_libretro", 9) != 0)
                         *last = '\0';
                   }
 
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ static int menu_displaylist_parse_netplay(
          msg_hash_to_str(MENU_ENUM_LABEL_NETPLAY_LAN_SCAN_SETTINGS),
          MENU_ENUM_LABEL_NETPLAY_LAN_SCAN_SETTINGS, MENU_SETTING_GROUP, 0, 0);
 
-   if (!string_is_equal(settings->menu.driver, "xmb"))
+   if (memcmp(settings->menu.driver, "xmb", 3) != 0)
       menu_entries_append_enum(info->list,
             msg_hash_to_str(MENU_ENUM_LABEL_VALUE_NETPLAY_TAB),
             msg_hash_to_str(MENU_ENUM_LABEL_NETPLAY_TAB),
@@ -2627,7 +2627,7 @@ static int menu_displaylist_parse_horizontal_list(
 
    playlist_qsort(playlist);
 
-   if (string_is_equal(lpl_basename, "content_history"))
+   if (memcmp(lpl_basename, "content_history", 15) == 0)
       is_historylist = true;
 
    menu_displaylist_parse_playlist(info,
@@ -4798,7 +4798,7 @@ bool menu_displaylist_ctl(enum menu_displaylist_ctl_state type, void *data)
          info->need_push    = true;
          break;
       case DISPLAYLIST_WIFI_SETTINGS_LIST:
-         if (string_is_equal(settings->wifi.driver, "null"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->wifi.driver, "null", 4) == 0)
             menu_entries_append_enum(info->list,
                   msg_hash_to_str(MENU_ENUM_LABEL_VALUE_NO_NETWORKS_FOUND),
                   msg_hash_to_str(MENU_ENUM_LABEL_NO_NETWORKS_FOUND),
@@ -5394,7 +5394,7 @@ bool menu_displaylist_ctl(enum menu_displaylist_ctl_state type, void *data)
                MENU_ENUM_LABEL_LOGGING_SETTINGS,   PARSE_ACTION, false);
          ret = menu_displaylist_parse_settings_enum(menu, info,
                MENU_ENUM_LABEL_FRAME_THROTTLE_SETTINGS,   PARSE_ACTION, false);
-         if (!string_is_equal(settings->record.driver, "null"))
+         if (memcmp(settings->record.driver, "null", 4) != 0)
             ret = menu_displaylist_parse_settings_enum(menu, info,
                   MENU_ENUM_LABEL_RECORDING_SETTINGS,   PARSE_ACTION, false);
          ret = menu_displaylist_parse_settings_enum(menu, info,
diff --git a/menu/widgets/menu_osk.c b/menu/widgets/menu_osk.c
index 1ad5cb4d9a..94b2e0aa18 100644
--- a/menu/widgets/menu_osk.c
+++ b/menu/widgets/menu_osk.c
@@ -98,16 +98,16 @@ void menu_event_osk_append(int ptr)
       menu_event_set_osk_idx(OSK_LOWERCASE_LATIN);
    else if (string_is_equal(osk_grid[ptr],"\xe2\x8a\x95")) /* plus sign (next button) */
 #else
-   if (string_is_equal(osk_grid[ptr],"Bksp"))
+   if (memcmp(osk_grid[ptr], "Bksp", 4) == 0)
       input_keyboard_event(true, '\x7f', '\x7f', 0, RETRO_DEVICE_KEYBOARD);
-   else if (string_is_equal(osk_grid[ptr],"Enter"))
+   else if (memcmp(osk_grid[ptr], "Enter", 5) == 0)
       input_keyboard_event(true, '\n', '\n', 0, RETRO_DEVICE_KEYBOARD);
    else
-   if (string_is_equal(osk_grid[ptr],"Upper"))
+   if (memcmp(osk_grid[ptr], "Upper", 5) == 0)
       menu_event_set_osk_idx(OSK_UPPERCASE_LATIN);
-   else if (string_is_equal(osk_grid[ptr],"Lower"))
+   else if (memcmp(osk_grid[ptr], "Lower", 5) == 0)
       menu_event_set_osk_idx(OSK_LOWERCASE_LATIN);
-   else if (string_is_equal(osk_grid[ptr],"Next"))
+   else if (memcmp(osk_grid[ptr], "Next", 4) == 0)
 #endif
       if (menu_event_get_osk_idx() < OSK_TYPE_LAST - 1)
          menu_event_set_osk_idx((enum osk_type)(menu_event_get_osk_idx() + 1));
diff --git a/msg_hash.c b/msg_hash.c
index bb22a60ef5..8305546f69 100644
--- a/msg_hash.c
+++ b/msg_hash.c
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ const char *msg_hash_to_str(enum msg_hash_enums msg)
    }
 #endif
 
-   if (ret && !string_is_equal(ret, "null"))
+   if (ret && (memcmp(ret, "null", 4) != 0))
       return ret;
 
 end:
diff --git a/retroarch.c b/retroarch.c
index aa71826ab0..61b3e692d5 100644
--- a/retroarch.c
+++ b/retroarch.c
@@ -678,16 +678,16 @@ static void retroarch_parse_input(int argc, char *argv[])
             break;
 
          case 'M':
-            if (string_is_equal(optarg, "noload-nosave"))
+            if (memcmp(optarg, "noload-nosave", 13) == 0)
             {
                rarch_ctl(RARCH_CTL_SET_SRAM_LOAD_DISABLED, NULL);
                rarch_ctl(RARCH_CTL_SET_SRAM_SAVE_DISABLED, NULL);
             }
-            else if (string_is_equal(optarg, "noload-save"))
+            else if (memcmp(optarg, "noload-save", 11) == 0)
                rarch_ctl(RARCH_CTL_SET_SRAM_LOAD_DISABLED, NULL);
-            else if (string_is_equal(optarg, "load-nosave"))
+            else if (memcmp(optarg, "load-nosave", 11) == 0)
                rarch_ctl(RARCH_CTL_SET_SRAM_SAVE_DISABLED, NULL);
-            else if (!string_is_equal(optarg, "load-save"))
+            else if (memcmp(optarg, "load-save", 9) != 0)
             {
                RARCH_ERR("Invalid argument in --sram-mode.\n");
                retroarch_print_help(argv[0]);
diff --git a/tasks/task_database_cue.c b/tasks/task_database_cue.c
index 94eb7206fe..27869f547e 100644
--- a/tasks/task_database_cue.c
+++ b/tasks/task_database_cue.c
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ int detect_system(const char *track_path, const char **system_name)
    if (filestream_read(fd, magic, 8) > 0)
    {
       magic[8] = '\0';
-      if (string_is_equal(magic, "PSP GAME"))
+      if (memcmp(magic, "PSP GAME", 8) == 0)
       {
          *system_name = "psp\0";
          rv = 0;
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ int find_first_data_track(const char *cue_path,
 
    while (get_token(fd, tmp_token, MAX_TOKEN_LEN) > 0)
    {
-      if (string_is_equal(tmp_token, "FILE"))
+      if (memcmp(tmp_token, "FILE", 4) == 0)
       {
          char cue_dir[PATH_MAX_LENGTH];
 
@@ -413,12 +413,13 @@ int find_first_data_track(const char *cue_path,
          fill_pathname_join(track_path, cue_dir, tmp_token, max_len);
 
       }
-      else if (string_is_equal_noncase(tmp_token, "TRACK"))
+      else if (memcmp(tmp_token, "TRACK", 5) == 0)
       {
          int m, s, f;
          get_token(fd, tmp_token, MAX_TOKEN_LEN);
          get_token(fd, tmp_token, MAX_TOKEN_LEN);
-         if (string_is_equal_noncase(tmp_token, "AUDIO"))
+
+         if (memcmp(tmp_token, "AUDIO", 5) == 0)
             continue;
 
          find_token(fd, "INDEX");
diff --git a/tasks/task_netplay_find_content.c b/tasks/task_netplay_find_content.c
index 034ca9c249..6e1bb422b7 100644
--- a/tasks/task_netplay_find_content.c
+++ b/tasks/task_netplay_find_content.c
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ static void netplay_crc_scan_callback(void *task_data,
 
    fflush(stdout);
    if (!string_is_empty(state->core_path) && !string_is_empty(state->content_path) &&
-       !string_is_equal(state->content_path, "N/A"))
+       memcmp(state->content_path, "N/A", 3) != 0)
    {
       command_event(CMD_EVENT_NETPLAY_INIT_DIRECT_DEFERRED, state->hostname);
       task_push_load_content_with_new_core_from_menu(
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ static void netplay_crc_scan_callback(void *task_data,
             NULL, NULL);
    }
    else if (!string_is_empty(state->core_path) && !string_is_empty(state->content_path) &&
-      string_is_equal(state->content_path, "N/A"))
+      memcmp(state->content_path, "N/A", 3) == 0)
    {
       content_ctx_info_t content_info = {0};
 
@@ -111,11 +111,11 @@ static void task_netplay_crc_scan_handler(retro_task_t *task)
    }
 
    if (state->lpl_list->size == 0 && 
-      !string_is_equal(state->content_path, "N/A"))
+      memcmp(state->content_path, "N/A", 3) != 0)
       goto no_playlists;
 
    /* Core requires content */
-   if (!string_is_equal(state->content_path, "N/A"))
+   if (memcmp(state->content_path, "N/A", 3) != 0)
    {
       /* CRC matching */
       if (!string_is_equal(state->content_crc, "00000000|crc"))
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ bool task_push_netplay_crc_scan(uint32_t crc, char* name,
       {
          strlcpy(state->core_path, info->list[i].path, sizeof(state->core_path));
 
-         if (!string_is_equal(state->content_path, "N/A") && 
+         if ((memcmp(state->content_path, "N/A", 3) != 0) && 
             !string_is_empty(info->list[i].supported_extensions))
          {
             strlcpy(state->core_extensions,
diff --git a/ui/drivers/ui_cocoatouch.m b/ui/drivers/ui_cocoatouch.m
index 33f4e96719..22b3dad25f 100644
--- a/ui/drivers/ui_cocoatouch.m
+++ b/ui/drivers/ui_cocoatouch.m
@@ -485,9 +485,9 @@ enum
    /* Get enabled orientations */
    apple_frontend_settings.orientation_flags = UIInterfaceOrientationMaskAll;
    
-   if (string_is_equal(apple_frontend_settings.orientations, "landscape"))
+   if (memcmp(apple_frontend_settings.orientations, "landscape", 9) == 0)
       apple_frontend_settings.orientation_flags = UIInterfaceOrientationMaskLandscape;
-   else if (string_is_equal(apple_frontend_settings.orientations, "portrait"))
+   else if (memcmp(apple_frontend_settings.orientations, "portrait", 8) == 0)
       apple_frontend_settings.orientation_flags = UIInterfaceOrientationMaskPortrait | UIInterfaceOrientationMaskPortraitUpsideDown;
 }