Nintendo 3DS vs Sony PlayStation Vita

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

3DS compared with PlayStation Vita
Nintendo3DSSonyPlayStation Vita
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2011December 2011
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
CPUARM11 MPCore, 2 cores, 268 MHzARM Cortex-A9, 4 cores
GPUDMP PICA200, 268 MHzPowerVR SGX543MP4+
Memory134 MB640 MB (better)
Disc driveNoNo
CPUDual-core ARM11 MPCore at 268 MHz plus an ARM946 processor (original 3DS security research)ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core)
GPUDMP PICA200 at 268 MHz (DMP and Copetti)SGX543MP4+
Memory detail128 MB FCRAM plus 6 MB VRAM (original 3DS security research)512 MB main memory and 128 MB VRAM (Sony's PCH-1000 specifications)
Storage detailGames on Nintendo 3DS game cards; 2 GB SD card includedNo built-in storage on the PCH-1000; games on PlayStation Vita cards or downloaded
Storage expansionSD and SDHC cardsPS Vita memory card slot (Sony's own format)
Display and video
Built-in screen3.53″ LCD, 800 × 2405″ OLED, 960 × 544
Built-in screenUpper 3.53-inch 3D LCD, 800 × 240 (400 pixels per eye in 3D), 16.7 million colours; lower 3.02-inch LCD touch screen, 320 × 2405 inches (16:9), 960 × 544, approx. 16 million colours, OLED; capacitive multi-touch screen and rear multi-touch pad
AudioStereo speakers (pseudo-surround); headphone jackBuilt-in stereo speakers and microphone; headset jack
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5 hoursUp to 5 hours
Weight235 g (better)260 g
Battery life detail5 Wh lithium-ion battery (CTR-003); about 3–5 hours with 3DS software and 5–8 hours with DS software; charges in about 3 hours 30 minutes2210 mAh built-in battery; about 3–5 hours of games, 5 hours of video and 9 hours of music (Sony)
Power useAbout 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo UK manual)–
In the boxConsole, charging cradle, AC adapter, stylus, 2 GB SD card, 6 AR Games cards–
Connections
PortsGame card slot, SD card slot, AC adapter connector, audio jack (stereo out); charging cradle contactsPS Vita card slot, memory card slot, multi-use port (USB, DC IN, audio), headset jack, accessory port; SIM card slot on the 3G/Wi-Fi model
Wi-Fi and BluetoothWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz); infrared (Nintendo UK manual)Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n (1x1), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; 3G and GPS on the 3G/Wi-Fi model
ControllerBuilt-in Circle Pad, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R buttons; motion sensor and gyro sensor; stylusBuilt-in D-pad, two analogue sticks, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons; six-axis motion sensing and three-axis electronic compass; front and rear cameras (up to 640 × 480)
Backward compatibilityNintendo DS and DSi gamesSupported downloadable PSP games and PS one Classics (PlayStation)

More comparisons