PS Vita - 3G Vs WiFi

[Colonel]

I'm just wondering what the relative merits of the Wi-Fi and 3G versions of the PS Vita are?

I know the WiFi version will be cheaper, but isn't it also true that you will have to pay for a contract with the 3G Vita? I suppose you can use it anywhere though, not just in a WiFi area.

Sorry if I'm rambling here, just wondering which Vita to buy. Any thoughts?

[Sausehuhn]

As far as I know the PSV is locked to AT&T networks in the US, so you will have to have a contract there. No word yet on how expensive that is.

As for other contries: No clue yet. But: At least here in Germany the 3G network is far from being all-accessable. So it’s probably the Telekom who’s getting an exclusive contract with Sony, as it’s still the best network in Germany (as they say).

I’m wondering how many times the PSV players will be kicked out of a game because they come into a dead spot.

[Temet]

France currently sucks on 3G prices... so I guess a lot of French people will go for Wifi only.
Still, I know Kaori (French also) may be interested in 3G version

[Mad-Ice]

I am also very much interested by the 3G model. I have heared of friends who own an IPad that they have a duel sim card. So the same mobile phone number on two different divices. I think that will work for PSVITA too. Here is hoping. The only thing I would like to know is how much data will we be using by playing 2048 online multiplayer?

[Colonel]

Yeah that's a good point Mad-Ice. If you're using a lot of data it could become quite costly, depending on your tariff. But I'm concerned about the reliability of WiFi for online gaming. I know a few players who use Wifi connections for WOHD and they're always getting kicked offline, Denton springs to mind especially.

[kaori]

I wait more infos, mainly price or possibility to use my phone SIMcard.
I think 3G model will be helpful with the system Near, you will be able to let some gifts and get other by walking in the streets.

Japanese players know the price of prepaid card, around of € 0,50 by hour

[Mad-Ice]

If WiFi searches automatically new available networks, especially ad-hoc channels we maybe do not even need 3G for the feature NEAR! Then we only need 3G for online gaming while we are not close to a WiFi hotspot.

[Hellfire_WZ]

If my phone signal is anything to go by, I think I'll just go for the bog-standard WiFi model. Besides, I do most of my multiplayer from home anyway

[CHEE5E2EE]

I will prob just get the Wifi model. I plan on playing mainly at home or at friends houses. Theres so many Wifi hotspots these days if you really wanted to play out and about you could. Maybe not as mobile but still probably more reliable than mobile internet? Would save some money too…. Need to start saving.

[Mad-Ice]

3G would also be very nice to see who is online and have psn messaging with each other. Challenging friends on the go or making an apointment for an online game. I do not want to pay per hour but by using data. So I can be online all day if I want. Just like with my smartphone.

[TheFrostE]

im getting wifi only as well, even though vita is nice and portable i probably wouldnt take it with me wherever unless its to a friends house to play. wi-fi is great as is, no need for 3g imo...its not even that fast or reliable.

[infoxicated]

I do quite fancy the Vita, and if I get one it'll just be the WiFi model, as I can turn my phone into a wireless hotspot and use that if I don't have WiFi acess.

I don't think anyone's going to be playing multiplayer racing games over 3G anyway - the latency of cell phone networks would introduce all kinds of lag issues.

[Mad-Ice]

But it would be so much fun to write each other messages all over the world, just like whatsapp but better, because with psn you can see who is online and what he or she is doing. So I think I will still get the 3G model. But I need more info on costs, if we will need to pay per hour or per gig!

[Colonel]

I can turn my phone into a wireless hotspot and use that if I don't have WiFi acess.

Really? That's very cool

[MrSmadSmartAlex]

I'm pretty sure that Sony already confirmed that 3G won't be usable for gaming. It'll only be for social networking features (e.g. showing muggers and stalkers exactly where you and your Vita are ). The WiFi model is the one to go for IMO.

[Darkdrium777]

3G is awful slow and limited:
20MB file size max
128kbps DL
64kbps UL

[Ref]

Not worth it in my opinion.

[infoxicated]

Really? That's very cool

It's something Android phones do by default, but I think iPhones need some encouragement - a "tethering" tarrif or somesuch.

I use it quite often to surf the net on my laptop whilst I'm out and about. :-)

[Mad-Ice]

Mmm, after reading all those replies, it looks like 3G is not so cool after all. Can someone tell me what the benefits would be then of this feature?

@Infoxicated: What would be the biggest reason for you to buy the VITA? Because I am pretty sure it's not Wipeout!!! Btw: shouldn't your thumbs down be a thunbs up?!

Greetz Mad-Ice

[Darkdrium777]

3G or 4G is basically internet everywhere you have a cellphone connection, but with absurd limits, restrictions and fees if you go over those limits. It's overcharged more than roaming with the phone, while staying in the coverage area of your mobile operator. And then there was that one time I got that message from my operator telling me roaming 3G was 10$ per MB of data... So yeah. Very expensive stuff and not worth putting on a PSP IMO.

[infoxicated]

@Infoxicated: What would be the biggest reason for you to buy the VITA? Because I am pretty sure it's not Wipeout!!! Btw: shouldn't your thumbs down be a thunbs up?!

Yeah, it probably was meant to be a thumbs up - I was typing it on my phone, so I must have made a mistake.

With the Vita, it's the media features for me. Although I watch podcasts and listen to music on my phone, it drains the battery and I'd rather have a separate device for entertainment.

When I used my PSP for that purpose I enjoyed the bigger screen and not having to worry about it running out of charge.

I like the look of the Uncharted game and Everybody's Golf, and I'll check out WipEout at some point, but you're right - the series is pretty much dead to me now with the ludicrous amount of weapons pads and barrel rolls.

For me, Vita is not something I'll pick up at launch. If it's coming out in Europe early next year then I'll wait for the second wave of games due out in Q4 2012 to see I can justify having one.