One of the multitude of complaints critics and users have against Nintendo's 3DS handheld is its short battery life. Knowing and understanding this criticism, we waited to see how Sony's upcoming competitor product, the PlayStation Vita, would compare. At every corner, Sony is positioning their product in a way that is perceived as better than the 3DS, from its larger launch line-up, better graphics, built-in second circle pad, etc.

On the battery life factor however, the "technically brilliant" PS Vita doesn't last too long either. The Vita battery life along with a breakdown of its technical specifications were revealed today as the Tokyo Games Show kicks off.

If Nintendo took some flak for the battery life of its new handheld - to the point where users would buy a 3DS power bracelet - then so to should Sony as it's now confirmed that the Vita's battery life will last only 3-5 hours. To recharge the unit, it takes a hefty 2 hours and 40 minutes using the included USB cable.

Now for the Vita specs which were revealed previously in August.

  • Model number: PCH-1000 series
  • CPU: ARM® Cortexâ„¢-A9 core (4 core)
  • GPU: SGX543MP4+
  • Main memory: 512MB
  • VRAM: 128MB
  • External Dimensions: Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)
  • Weight Approx: 279g (3G/Wi-Fi model), 260g (Wi-Fi model)
  • Screen: 5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED, Multi touch screen (capacitive type)
  • Rear touch pad: Multi touch pad (capacitive type)
  • Cameras: Front camera, Rear camera; Frame rate: 120fps@320x240(QVGA), 60fps@640x480(VGA); Resolution: Up to 640x480(VGA)
  • Sound: Built-in stereo speakers, built-in microphone
  • Sensors: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Threeaxis electronic compass
  • Location: Built-in GPS (3G/Wi-Fi model only), Wi-Fi location service support
  • Keys/Switches: PS button, power button, directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left), action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square), shoulder buttons (Right/Left), right stick, left stick, START button, SELECT button, volume buttons (+/-)
  • Wireless communications: Mobile network connectivity (3G/Wi-Fi model only), 3G modem (data communication): HSDPA/HSUPA *specification for Japanese region, IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1x1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode), Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR ?A2DP/AVRCP/HSP?
  • Slots/Ports: PlayStation®Vita card slot, memory card slot, SIM card slot (3G/Wi-Fi model only), multi-use port (for USB data communication, DC IN, Audio [Stereo Out / Mono In], Serial data communication), headset jack (Stereo mini jack) (for Audio [Stereo Out / Mono In]), accessory port
  • Power: Built-In Lithium-ion Battery: DC3.7V 2200mA, AC adaptor: DC 5V
  • Operating environment temperature: 5??35?
  • Supported AV content format: Music - MP3 MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer 3, MP4 (MPEG-4 AAC), WAVE (Linear PCM). Videos - MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC). Photos - JPEG (Exif 2.2.1), TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG

With the PlayStation Vita release date confirmed for December 17th in Japan - expected in early 2012 for North America and Europe - the question then becomes, for those who purchase the more expensive, 3G-capable version, which carrier(s) can they sign up with?

3G Vita owners can sign up with NTT Docomo for a pre-paid 20 hours of data for 980 yen (approx. $13) or the deluxe 100-hour plan for 4890 yen ($64). We'll have to wait and see what AT&T does in the U.S. and how much the Canadian services will overcharge for data.

Is the battery life and recharge-rate and issue for you? Which Vita model will you pick up?

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Source: MCV