Games

iPod touch 5G vs PS Vita

iPod touch 5G vs PS Vita
Each device has its distinct advantages
Each device has its distinct advantages
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Physically, these devices don't have a lot in common
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Physically, these devices don't have a lot in common
The weight again illustrates the radical differences
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The weight again illustrates the radical differences
If you want Vita storage, you'll have to pay
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If you want Vita storage, you'll have to pay
All equal here
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All equal here
The GPUs are similar, but the Vita adds two extra cores
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The GPUs are similar, but the Vita adds two extra cores
Though the Vita's display is larger, the touch's has higher resolution
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Though the Vita's display is larger, the touch's has higher resolution
Despite the Vita battery's extra capacity, uptime could potentially be longer in the touch
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Despite the Vita battery's extra capacity, uptime could potentially be longer in the touch
The Vita's cameras aren't meant for photography
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The Vita's cameras aren't meant for photography
Nathan Drake, or Angry Birds?
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Nathan Drake, or Angry Birds?
Each device has its distinct advantages
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Each device has its distinct advantages
The Vita comes in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models
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The Vita comes in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models
The Vita's quad core processor is built for power
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The Vita's quad core processor is built for power
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Dedicated portable gaming consoles are in trouble. Nintendo 3DS sales have improved, but Sony's Playstation Vita hasn't sold well. Smartphones and tablets have taken what was once a safe market, and turned it into a gamble.

Though millions of people game on their iPhones and iPads every day, the closest Apple gets to a dedicated gaming device is the iPod touch. The popular iOS device has been bought for countless young children and teenagers, often as a replacement for a DS or a PSP. It's the threat that Sony and Nintendo didn't anticipate.

With the release of a new (5th generation) iPod touch, Apple has given the struggling Sony one more thing to worry about. Is the iPod touch 5G a legitimate Playstation Vita replacement, or is it just kids' stuff? Let's take a look …

Dimensions

Physically, these devices don't have a lot in common
Physically, these devices don't have a lot in common

These are two radically different devices. The Vita is big and rugged. Its physical controls announce that it's built for serious gaming. The iPod touch, meanwhile, is sleek and airy. As the lightest and thinnest iOS device ever made, its minimal simplicity is the polar opposite of Sony's bulky workhorse.

If you want classic gaming controls, your choice is clear. If you want something that will disappear in your pocket, your choice is equally clear.

Weight

The weight again illustrates the radical differences
The weight again illustrates the radical differences

If portability is your priority, the touch wins. It's roughly three times lighter than the Vita.

Display

Though the Vita's display is larger, the touch's has higher resolution
Though the Vita's display is larger, the touch's has higher resolution

Size is about the only display advantage for the Vita. Its resolution is lower, despite toting an extra (diagonal) inch. The display in the iPod touch 5G is identical to that of the iPhone 5; in other words, it's terrific. Not only does it dazzle with 326 pixels per inch, but its use of in-cell display tech makes it thinner and closer to the surface.

Processor

The Vita's quad core processor is built for power
The Vita's quad core processor is built for power

Here's where we start to see the Vita's raw power. At least on paper, its processor blows away the A5 chip in the iPod touch. With four cores and a maximum clock speed of 2GHz, it's built for hardcore gaming.

Graphics

The GPUs are similar, but the Vita adds two extra cores
The GPUs are similar, but the Vita adds two extra cores

Both devices share variations on the same GPU. The PowerVR graphics in the Vita are quad core, next to the dual core version in Apple's A5.

RAM

All equal here
All equal here

Here both devices are even, each with 512MB of RAM. The Vita does, however, add an extra 128MB of Video RAM (VRAM).

Storage

If you want Vita storage, you'll have to pay
If you want Vita storage, you'll have to pay

Sony dropped a big stinker here. With no internal storage, (optional) digital downloads require the purchase of a proprietary Vita memory Card. The prices are much higher than those of typical SD cards: US$20 for 4GB, $30 for 8GB, $60 for 16GB, and $100 for 32GB. If you plan on avoiding physical game cards, be prepared for an extra purchase (or buy a bundle that includes a memory card).

The iPod touch, which only supports digital content, comes in 32GB and 64GB flavors.

Wireless

The Vita comes in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models
The Vita comes in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models

The standard Vita model is Wi-Fi-only, but Sony also sells a more expensive 3G-enabled model. The iPod touch is – and always has been – Wi-Fi only.

Battery

Despite the Vita battery's extra capacity, uptime could potentially be longer in the touch
Despite the Vita battery's extra capacity, uptime could potentially be longer in the touch

Apple doesn't market the touch solely as a gaming device, so there are no estimates for gaming uptime. Its hardware is less intensive, though, so its lower mAh battery could go farther.

Cameras

The Vita's cameras aren't meant for photography
The Vita's cameras aren't meant for photography

If you're looking for a solid camera, the touch delivers. The shooters in the Vita, meanwhile, aren't meant for photography. They can help you with things like face detection and head-tracking in games (along with Skype video calling), but don't expect a point-and-shoot replacement.

Intangibles

Nathan Drake, or Angry Birds?
Nathan Drake, or Angry Birds?

Despite all the hardware specs, this may be the category to base your decision on. iOS devices have a wealth of potential for hardcore gaming, but they're more often associated with casual fare. Some developers do release console-like games for the App Store: Infinity Blade (I and II), Grand Theft Auto III, Dead Space, and Modern Combat 3 are standouts. For the most part, though, expect to see games in the vein of Angry Birds and Cut the Rope.

Despite its focus as a hardcore gaming device, though, the Vita's library is still sparse. The standout first party titles – Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and LittleBigPlanet – don't have much (noteworthy) company. Classic PSP games are available, but there's no UMD slot, so they all require digital purchases.

Speaking of purchases, the iPod touch is a bit more expensive than the Vita (US$50 more for the base model). But when you factor in the (possible) additional purchase of a memory card – and its more expensive games – the touch could be cheaper in the long run.

Summing Up

Though there is some overlap, each device has distinct advantages. If you don't have patience for touchscreen gaming, the Vita – with its classic physical controls – is the clear winner. If you want a slick multipurpose device with a gargantuan (but largely casual) gaming library, look no further than the iPod touch 5G.

Have you traded in your old portable gaming devices for smartphones and tablets? Or do you still carve out a place for the dedicated console? Let us know in the comments.

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6 comments
6 comments
Terry Mulcahy
Prefer a full size gaming console that also doubles as a DVD movie player.
Cal Verdun
The Vita by far is the better system plus with the variety of games like madden, uncharted and assassin creed no competition.
Nacho Sambade
actually, the processor in the iPod Touch is 1Ghz dual core, not 800Mhz. 800Mhz dual core is only found in the iPhone 4S.
Alexander Thomas
i'll rather go for the psp vita
Miguel Amatón
It's clear that the iPod Touch wins against the PS Vita. But you won't be able to compare the 3DS (if so) that one still remains as a Portable GAMING Console...
XxWildWeedxX
The 3DS is just terrible...well the DS is terrible in general