Nintendo 3DS XL vs Sony PlayStation Vita

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

3DS XL compared with PlayStation Vita
Nintendo3DS XLSonyPlayStation Vita
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2012December 2011
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
CPU–ARM Cortex-A9, 4 cores
GPU–PowerVR SGX543MP4+
Memory–640 MB
Disc driveNoNo
CPU–ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core)
GPU–SGX543MP4+
Memory detail–512 MB main memory and 128 MB VRAM (Sony's PCH-1000 specifications)
Storage detail–No built-in storage on the PCH-1000; games on PlayStation Vita cards or downloaded
Storage expansionSD cards up to 2 GB and SDHC cards from 4 to 32 GB; SDHC card included (UK manual; capacity stated on the box)PS Vita memory card slot (Sony's own format)
Display and video
Built-in screen4.88″ LCD, 800 × 2405″ OLED, 960 × 544
Built-in screenUpper 4.88-inch 3D LCD, 800 × 240 with 400 pixels per eye in 3D; lower 4.18-inch touch LCD, 320 × 240; both display 16.7 million colours. Five brightness levels and power-saving mode (UK manual)5 inches (16:9), 960 × 544, approx. 16 million colours, OLED; capacitive multi-touch screen and rear multi-touch pad
AudioStereo speakers with pseudo-surround and headphone outputBuilt-in stereo speakers and microphone; headset jack
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6.5 hoursUp to 5 hours
Weight336 g260 g (better)
Battery life detailSPR-003 replaceable 6.5 Wh lithium-ion pack; approximately 3.5–6.5 hours with 3DS software or 6–10 hours with DS software. Runtime depends on brightness, software, wireless use and temperature; cameras may shorten it further. Charge approximately 3.5 hours when off2210 mAh built-in battery; about 3–5 hours of games, 5 hours of video and 9 hours of music (Sony)
Size156 × 93 × 22 mm when closed (width × height × thickness); 336 g includes battery, stylus and SD card–
Connections
PortsGame card and SD card slots, charging cradle contacts, AC adapter connector and stereo audio jackPS 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. Amiibo requires the separate NFC Reader/Writer (Nintendo UK); the retained Japanese page's NFC line conflicts with this accessory requirementWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n (1x1), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; 3G and GPS on the 3G/Wi-Fi model
ControllerOne Circle Pad, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start, Select and Home; motion and gyro sensors. One inner and two outer fixed-focus 0.3-megapixel CMOS cameras (Nintendo Japan)Built-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 3DS, DS, DSi and DSi-enhanced game cards; 3DS and DSi software must match the system's region (UK manual)Supported downloadable PSP games and PS one Classics (PlayStation)

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