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PS Vita hardware cost $160 to make

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 22 Jan 2012 2:57 User comments (8)

PS Vita hardware cost $160 to make

UBM TechInsights has torn down the new PlayStation Vita, and revealed that it costs about $160 to make.
The 3G model was torn apart and overall, the components came to $159.10. The cost breakdown does not include the small cost for R&D and shipping. The handheld sells for $300, meaning Sony seems to be making a nice margin right from launch.

For comparison, Sony sold the PlayStation 3 at a loss for at least the first two years, relying on accessories and software to make up the difference.

Here is the breakdown:

Display and touchscreens: $50
Battery: $3.60
Cameras: $3.50
Wi-Fi/BT/GPS: $3.50
NAND: $6.00
SDRAM: $9.25
Processor: $16.00
BB+XCR: $16.25
Non-electronic: $11.00
Other: $30.00
Supporting materials: $10.00




The Vita will hit the U.S. and Europe at the end of February.

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8 user comments

122.1.2012 15:16

distgusting, i'd rather get the 3DS or a full fledged tablet at that point with more screen real estate.

222.1.2012 19:11

add to that transport, marketing etc etc. and id be surprised to see them making any profit at all.Sony has never really worked on basis of making huge profit on consoles, preferring to make money on software side of things, whereas Nintendo is renowned for doing so.

makes you wonder how much all them £500 smart phones & tablets cost to make? Apple must be making a killing profit wise! the vita has better specs than ipad 2 yet cost 100s less.

322.1.2012 20:40

Originally posted by brockie:
add to that transport, marketing etc etc. and id be surprised to see them making any profit at all.Sony has never really worked on basis of making huge profit on consoles, preferring to make money on software side of things, whereas Nintendo is renowned for doing so.

makes you wonder how much all them £500 smart phones & tablets cost to make? Apple must be making a killing profit wise! the vita has better specs than ipad 2 yet cost 100s less.
Apple, as of their last earnings report, makes 39 percent margin on their products.

423.1.2012 11:13

The Vita is kinda cool and all but who would really put this to use??? Ain't givin' this to no 10 year old considering the price and techno flexibility and adults generally don't game on portable devices like this. Just don't see this going anywhere.

523.1.2012 12:16

Originally posted by hearme0:
The Vita is kinda cool and all but who would really put this to use??? Ain't givin' this to no 10 year old considering the price and techno flexibility and adults generally don't game on portable devices like this. Just don't see this going anywhere.
over 70 million PSPS would disagree.

623.1.2012 12:16

Originally posted by hearme0:
The Vita is kinda cool and all but who would really put this to use??? Ain't givin' this to no 10 year old considering the price and techno flexibility and adults generally don't game on portable devices like this. Just don't see this going anywhere.
over 70 million PSPS would disagree.

723.1.2012 13:30

That's pretty reasonable because once you figure in marketing, paying employees, packaging, research, and transportation you could see how their profits will be much smaller at first. I think $250 is quite reasonable for a system like this. I just wish it has some sort of internal memory card. It sickening that you have to spend between $20 and $100 for one when the PSPGo already has them built in. Plus the battery is pretty weak. I know it's a powerful handheld but I might wait until it's:

1. A bit cheaper (it's a good deal now but without the internal storage it could be better)

2. They have internal flash storage

3. The battery life is longer.

824.1.2012 15:00

Originally posted by brockie:
Originally posted by hearme0:
The Vita is kinda cool and all but who would really put this to use??? Ain't givin' this to no 10 year old considering the price and techno flexibility and adults generally don't game on portable devices like this. Just don't see this going anywhere.
over 70 million PSPS would disagree.



Are there really that many??

There are more DS's than PSPs I would think. Either way.....I only know 1 person with a PSP and don't think it was very viable. But I'm 38 so perhaps it's strictly for the younger crowd.

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