The point of 3G verus WiFi is being able to theoretically play "online" anywhere. Rather than looking for a free WiFi hotspot, you can connect wherever you have a cell phone connection. I can definitely see a huge draw in that, but in my opinion it's not worth being at the mercy of a company like AT&T.

3G is quicker than Wi-Fi, which is why some people might want it. I have no problems with AT&T's 3G service at all (maybe because I live in Boston, a big market). To be fair, the 20MB download cap exists on my iPhone as well, so this is hardly surprising.

@Jim

I'd assume the same reason someone would want a 3G iPhone rather than just a wi-fi one, right? What's the difference?

No surprise and not a problem.

3G is for playing online, not for downloading games. It just adds the option to play wherever you are for a premium price. Otherwise you'll have to look for a wifi hotspot all the time.

"I'd assume the same reason someone would want a 3G iPhone rather than just a wi-fi one, right? What's the difference?"

100% Truth. I have a 3G phone to surf the Internet anywhere I want. It's amazing.

One problem with the PSP was that whenever I wanted to download a new game, I'd have to plug in my PSP to charge it at the same time. The game would take HOURS to download, and because of that, the battery would run out part way through. I just don't see a purpose to a 3G release, I agree with Jim.

I was sincerely hoping they would at least attempt to justify it. Will they be attempting to do so, or do they realize that it is inexcusable?

@Tristix,

The difference is that your phone is theoretically in your pocket at all times and about 5 times smaller than the Vita.

Everyone who wants 3G internet access already has it on their phone, which they'll have in their pocket, unlike the Vita.

And Yakulto must have the worst Wifi network ever because Wifi is several times faster than 3G, so can't imagine 3G having any use for playing games since the connection would be so slow.

I really can't see any reason for the 3G Vita at all.

I think we shouldn't forget that 3G will be once called "good old 3G" I'm saying that 3G will be less used in future cell-phones, which could possibly make 3G plans cheaper somehow. (looking at PSPs life-span, there might be an open door for 3G in the future for the Vita) yet again, who knows ?

@turbokill

Get the WiFi model.
Turn your Android -phone into a WiFi Hotspot.
???
Profit.

@Dinnertimeninja

"Everyone who wants 3G internet access already has it on their phone, which they'll have in their pocket, unlike the Vita. "

False. I'll be the counterexample of that. I think you're overestimating the number of people with smartphones by quite a bit.

I just came up with one benefit of the 3G Vita =p
Since many people will most likely get the Wifi version, I bet the 3G one would be "easier" to obtain on launch.

"The difference is that your phone is theoretically in your pocket at all times and about 5 times smaller than the Vita.

Everyone who wants 3G internet access already has it on their phone, which they'll have in their pocket, unlike the Vita. "

Yeah, if you have a phone already, it's not really worth it. If you don't have a phone, however, I can see the place for it. I'd rather have a smartphone, but I can see the argument.

In any case, I have no idea why the utility of 3G hinges on the ability to download games on the fly. I mean.. really? Is this even something people want to do? If you really, really, really need that Tuesday-night released overpriced PSN game, just go to a Wifi spot somewhere. Or wait until you're home. I can't imagine ANYONE would get 3G just to be able to download new games anywhere...

Ah, Sony.. it wouldn't be *you* unless there was one thing totally backasswards about it. At least it's an entirely separate SKU and can be ignored. I'm still getting the WIFI version. Day 1, if possible.

I fail to see the problem here. All this means is that you won't be able to download single files over 20mb over a cellular connection. It's a very common restriction. This in no way effects online play or various streaming capabilities of the device. I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to download a 2 gig file over a cellular connection anyway.

That or they need to keep the barriers high until they're able to accurately gauge regular usage well into its life cycle and tune the systems accordingly. Of course, once savvy people jailbreak it or unlock it or whatever will be necessary to actually make the thing useful, their usage stats will skew the data and make it harder for everyone else once the evaluation period ends.

Many, Sony, is all about taking a dump in people's spaghetti-o's these days. They even run Microsoft now. I've been downloading an Xbox update for the past 15 minutes.

How is it that people are angry about this even though smartphones do the exact same thing?
I'm so confused about why people care; what they want; and what their expectations are.

Interested to see what they'll do in Australia, that is, if we even get the option of a 3G vita.... I don't understand why I wouldn't be able to use my current 3G plan with my phone, is it just incompatible with a standard 3G network? Makes no sense to me atm.

@Yakulto27 - What the hell kind of wifi router are you using? 3G is faster than wifi for you? I'm sorry to have to break it to you, but you're doing it wrong.

3G is kind of pointless now if you have an android phone. Most, if not all phones with froyo can be made into mobile hotspots, so unless you are in the boonies, you will always be able to wirelessly game.

The only games we are going to be able to play online are asynchronous modes, like for example, Hot Shots Golf.

3G download speeds are good, but the latency is very high.

So... the 3G will be used mostly for the social features and Near.

You guys won't be able to play games like Call of Duty multiplayer with 3G. I think Sony needs to address this as soon as possible, because people are going to be very disappointed when they found out.

This may be giving them too much credit, but maybe they're trying to alienate the more expensive model to keep their portable more in the price range of the 3DS. Maybe after the huge 3DS price drop, they'd rather screw one SKU of a device to save another.

Not that they haven't done that before (*cough*PSPGo*cough*)

... Alright yeah, I probably am giving them too much credit.

Is the 3G model going to have a monthly fee attached to it to use the 3G? If not, that could be Sony's way of controlling how much money they lose by having to serve many people's 3G bill in the long run.

I can understand it if the multiplayer gaming is smooth and you would not be afraid of reaching your limit just by gaming in under a week of regular use. Otherwise, this is retarded, Sony.

I agree with killias2 and tristrix.
However I was never planning on getting the 3G. I have no use for it, at least sony is giving options.

My only idea at an explanation would be that Sony didnt think AT&T would be suck dicks. Which... if that was true... hahahahaha

By the time you DL 20MB on 3G the battery will be dead anyways

@yakulta

If your wifi is slower than your 3G then you need to seriously consider a new service provider.

3G speeds are barely better than dial-up.

Not a big deal. It's a "download" cap not a "Data" cap.
Just like the iPhone-iPad. Hell prior to the release of the iPad the iPhone was capped at 10MB.

I would assume most people would only be buying the 3G version for Data usage anyway,(gaming,social networking,web browsing,etc)because waiting for a large file to download via slow ass 3G would suck.

The big question should be, What Data plans are available,and how much do they cost?
This will be the deciding factor between wifi only or 3G for me.
Not a Download cap.

@Xonticus

"Is the 3G model going to have a monthly fee attached to it to use the 3G?"

I believe they said it would be a pre-paid model.

"3G speeds are barely better than dial-up."

I'm getting about 5-10mb speeds on my 3G, dunno how shitty your operator is...

Trying to go online only to discover your game needs a big patch or your firmware needs to be updated doesn't sound like a great experience. Good luck keeping the patches under 20MB, guys.

Sony seems really desperate to not have another service crash miserably while the PSN scandal is still stinging. Hopefully they'll sort out (ie, make useful) this service in a short time. Something useless that never fails is just as bad as something that works well when it isn't on fire.

Well I'm just completely lost. You crazy commentators, you.

@straiffi

Post a Speedtest result. I hardly ever get over 1mb/s.

@nanowerx
Test Date: Oct 13, 2011 4:44:27 pm
Connection Type: Hsdpa
Server: Helsinki
Download: 7548 kbps
Upload: 1295 kbps
Ping: 134 ms

or if you prefer a screenshot: http://www.speedtest.net/android/92489397.png

Wow. Does Server:Helsinki mean you're in Finland or is that just the name of the server or something?

@Tristrix
Yeah I live in Helsinki/Finland

Time to move, then. That's a damned good 3G connection.

The existence of the 3G model is certainly questionable. The latency and bandwidth inconsistencies will probably preclude 3G from being used for online gaming. That leaves web browsing and PSN store downloads as the only practical purposes. Having the freedom to download games on the fly seems nice, but not an often used feature. And how many of the games will be under 20MB anyway? Web browsing also seems pointless. Smartphone penetration is at about 35%, but even feature phones have web browsers now. Options are always good, but this one is poorly planned. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sony jettison the 3G option entirely after a year or so.

The ipad's 3G version is $127 dollars more, so for 50 more this is no big deal. Id get the 3G, but then at&t would make me put down a deposit because I've got shit credit...

@straiffi

You are not American, nevermind, like every other country has better internet and cell service than us. You don't know our pain. Many people don't even have broadband in the Sates that fast. I get about 27mb/s on my home network (which is actually very fast for the States), but 3G is horrible.

@nanowerx
Ok I didn't realize it was that bad for you..
My 3G is totally uncapped in both speed and download amount.
My broadband is 200mb/s, uncapped as well.

I pay about 50 dollars/month for these both total.

@Straiffi That's impressive!!
My AT$T 3G iPad only gets 1259kbps DL and 704kbps UL In the Boston Area.

My WiFi is around 21Mbps.

I just canceled my pre-order.

@amtalx

"but even feature phones have web browsers now."

Indeed. Mine does. But I'd need a scanning electron microscope to be able to read the text on my tiny ass screen. A 3G Vita really would be a far superior option for me (not to say I've made up my mind to get one, it'd just be useful for that purpose).