Nintendo DSi vs. PSP-3000 vs. iPod Touch, v1.0
by Ross Miller 
{ Oct 2nd 2008 at 3:00AM }
Note: Relative sizes approximate
 Nintendo DSi
|
 PSP-3000
|
 iPhone / iPod Touch
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | Two 3.25-inch displays | 4.3-inch display | 3.5-inch display |
| Screen Resolution | 256 x 192 | 480 x 272, 16m colors | 480×320 |
| CPU speed / type | One 67 MHz (ARM) and one 33 MHz ARM7TDMI2 | MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz | 620 MHz ARM 1176, underclocked to 412 MHz |
| Form Factor | 5.85 x 3.33 x 0.99 inches1 | 6.7 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches |
4.5 × 2.4 x 0.48 inches (iPhone); 4.3 × 2.4 × 0.33 inches (iPod Touch) |
| Camera | 2 cameras, one with VGA resolution | Optional Go!Cam, 1.3 megapixels | iPhone has 2 megapixel camera |
| Memory | SD slot, internal storage (unknown size) | Memory Stick (up to 16GB) | 8-32GB internal storage |
| Internet | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi (iPhone also has EDGE or 3G) |
| Browser | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Store | Yes (DSi Shop) | Yes (PS Store) | Yes (App Store) |
| Touch Screen | Yes (single touch) |
No | Yes (multi-touch) |
Notes:
1: Approximate size, based on Nintendo's assertion that DSi is 12 percent thinner than DS Lite
2: Architecture of the DS Lite and, as noted, subject to change pending official release notes
Update: Massively has a comparison piece on the MMO potential of the three portables.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dre @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:13AM
Wait, two cameras?
shadow024 @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:15AM
outside and the inside, look on the hinge while its open, see the dot
D_Average @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:24AM
Its actually three cameras now, as 95% of the market already has one on their cell phone.
BrokenMonkey @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:55PM
I guess I don't see the point in having two cameras, I can't imagine a situation where you would be simultaneously taking pictures/video of yourself and something outside the DS, to me it seems like a rotating camera would work since you could use it to take pics/video of yourself or rotate it to take pics/video of something else. Seems like it would also be cheaper to have one camera vs two.
bigsofty @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:10PM
The Open Pandora pisses all over those handhelds/phones specs...
SleepingPanda @ Oct 17th 2008 10:04AM
Yet the Open Pandora can't play actual ds / psp / iphone games. Which is why it's not even worth mentioning.
That guy @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:21AM
The screen sizes, multimedia capabilities and the new DS store seem to address the iPod Touch's advantages.
Only problem with the DiiS is the screen resolution. For such a large screen, it might become even easier to see jaggies - Not that thats the important part of portable gaming but something worth noting.
Guido @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:29AM
I seem to be missing the "processor power" comparison, it's where the PSP really shines :)
Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:41AM
Yep while the iPod Touch is a great multimedia system and the DSi is a simple portable game system, the PSP has the best of both worlds with a lot more horsepower and some pretty solid multimedia functionality.
But the DSi is certainly going to heat up the portable gaming system race by tenfold.
flanker22 @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:58AM
ipod touch actually has a faster processor and its even underclocked. psp just recently had its clock speed unlocked to 333 but even then the ipod touch is running at 412.
but doesnt matter cause ipod touch has shit games and shit controls.
Jonny @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:29AM
@flanker -
Actually, the PSP is a much faster CPU. Different architectures. The PSP CPU is about the same as the Emotion Engine out of a PlayStation2. ARM is mainly geared as a embedded systems processor for cellular phones, PDAs, MP3 players, and other small, compact devices, kiosks, etc.
Jon @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:33AM
You can't compare different Mhz speed on different architectures. Not counting the architecture itself, there are so many variations like RAM, RAM speed, transistor counts, DSP, integrated graphics etc. The PSP is a solid multimedia and polygon cruncher, and has proven itself plenty of times (GOW, Killzone etc.). ARM architecture has its advantages too, but is a completely different beast.
Guido @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:57AM
@Jon Indeed, that's why I wrote "processor power" and not "processor clock speed" :) It would require some benchmarks though, which would make it arbitrary really...
Foetoid @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:16AM
Spot on Jon. Thats also why the GC and Xbox1 were equal on power and graphics. The GC was less powerful on paper, but had far superior architecture that made games look just as good.
kali4 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:55AM
I have not used the iPhone/iPod Touch for gaming, but I have used bopth the PSP and the DS. Even thought the DS has much lower processor power, I have yet to run across chugging framerates or gamefreezes that I had experienced frequently on the PSP. It may be a powerhouse but what's the point if you are jolted from your gaming nirvana back into harsh reality? I don't care how fast the processor is as long as I can enjoy uninterupted gaming bliss.
Guido @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:21PM
@kali4, you can't blame the platform for sucky programmers :P
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:35AM
You saying that a DS screen is almost as big as an iPhone's? Dang, although not at all the same resolution, so I wouldn't expect the same performance, but dang.
gen-dm @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:37AM
If the iPod touch had a camera I think it would be the best.
That guy @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:43AM
I don't. I wouldn't use it on mine. I have a Sony Ericsson for that.
JCD @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:13AM
If the ipod touch had BUTTONS, it might be the best.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:49AM
As a PSP lover, I can say that the DSi is pretty damn cool. I would love to get it if I had a DS Phat or even a Lite for a few years and wanted to get some more functionality from it.
But I don't especially care because I picked my side of the wars and the PSP is definitely more suited for my tastes with better graphics and great multimedia functions (including Skype, Remote Play, and others).
Still the 3-megapixel(!) camera on the DSi is pretty damn impressive. I think this is Nintendo trying to position it better against the PSP and even more so against the iPod Touch/iPhone. Actually I think the DSi is taking the big Apple head on here.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:48AM
And this is definitely a clear sign that Sony should release the Go!Cam and the GPS add-on ASAP.
ed @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:55AM
Oh STFU. We dont care if your a psp lover. Its a poor system with poor games ( I know I have one too, 1000 but getting a 3000 model). The DS with its paltry 1/10 cpu speed of the psp came along and blew the shitty no-support psp out of the water. and thankfully that boom rippled onto the ps3 too maybe showing sony that they need to step up and make interesting, compelling and enjoyable games for once.
All them features you mentioned are rubbish. it also sounds like you wanted a multimedia device rather than a gaming console so I don't know why youve got a psp and not an ipod touch or windows mobile. What sad reasons to get a PSP. Just get a DS even nintendo fanboy me has a PSP - you mofoing sad act.
Jonathan-DBOSS @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:26AM
@ed
I can relate to your concern of choosing gaming systems because of their extra features over their games. But hey, live with it, it's how the market is today and it's better to just sit back and enjoy their feeble attempts in trying to impress us consumers. ;)
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:48AM
Why pick sides with handhelds?
Both are cheap (relative to consoles, anyways) and both have excellent game libraries!
You can't lose with just one, but you're a true winner with both!
ExMcCloud @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:05AM
Not tryin to be an a#$ hole here but....They aren't cheap relative to consoles at all....The PSP cost most than the PS2 and 3 bux less than an Xbox 360....Hell u can get a Iphone for 200 now (W/contract) SO I actually think that the handhelds are terribly over priced these days
The Angry Emu @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:08AM
"I picked my side of the wars..."
It's sad to me that people still think they need to "pick a side" on consumer electronic choices. It's not a war, people! You pick the products that make the most sense for you financially.
Evan @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:24AM
ed's comment may get voted down among Joystiq's primarily hardcore audience, but I think sales figures (for both the DS and iPods) prove him right.
Jack of No Trades 85 @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:54AM
EDIT: Totally off-topic hatefulness.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:56AM
"But I don't especially care because I picked my side of the wars"
Lol. He still thinks there's really a war going on.
Angel Custodio @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:57AM
No 3mpx camera, is 0.3mpx
Max cam resolution: VGA = 640x480 = 307200 = 0.3mpx
ISN'T 3 megapixels
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:36AM
@Jack
What Vegeta heard: "CAUSE I PLAY MATURE GAMES FOR MATURE GAMERS LIKE MYSELF."
Shouldn't you be at school or something?
iampianoman7002 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:00AM
it's not a 3 megapixel camera, its a .3 megapixel camera (640 x 480)...
At least that's what kotaku says...
http://kotaku.com/5057870/nintendo-announce-new-ds-the-nintendo-dsi
Christopher @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:09AM
3 Mp is nothing if the glass and cmos are crap. Wait until we see examples of picture quality. Nintendo isn't a camera company. Sony tried to do this with the GoCam! and they screwed it up with overheating issues, and they're a camera company, albeit one that I despise despite my love for the PSP.
Christopher @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:16AM
Wow, all you guys picking on somebody's love for a system you don't like are morons. It comes down to the fracking games. I love my PSP because I like the games better. End of story. I still have a DS, and YES there IS a war going on still. Just not in the US. That's why PSP has been kicking the DS's hind end most of 2008 in Japan.
Now, can we get back to being civil gamers instead of childish MORONS and concentrate on the games and technology instead of STUPID HATEFUL CRAP?!?!
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:06AM
@ Jack:
"Man I hate video game fanboys. They are the most retarded people."
Fixed that for you. Just because you don't side with a particular "camp" doesn't make its idiotic fanboys any worse than your "camp's".
I don't care what company someone blindly follows... Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Apple, etc... It's entirely foolish to do so. Because not only do you close your eyes off to what other companies may offer... there's also the fact that while you may love a certain company, that company doesn't love you back.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:47PM
@ Vegeta:
There is a war going on (in Japan at least)
...and looking back on what I wrote I really wish Joystiq had a 'Delete Comment' button :P
Nigel @ Oct 13th 2008 6:41PM
The dsi has .3 megapix.
Can you help me, I really don't know what to get. My birthday is coming up and I want the new psp, but now that there is a new dsi coming out after April, idk anymore. How is the psp? Is the store good? good quality?
Joe H @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:05AM
My big question is, will it finally support WPA encryption of the wireless. If so, that alone makes it worth it as far as I'm concerned.
ZaxCG2 @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:13AM
I was hoping it'd up the WiFi connectivity altogether. I mean, it's been ticking me off that my DS doesn't like my router... won't connect at all. >:C
I'm sure it'd be something they would throw in without announcing it. Here hoping for the best.
iofthestorm @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:11PM
I just realized that the internal camera is probably for video chat, and they had to have upgraded the wifi if they're even thinking about video chat because currently the wifi is the shittiest wifi chip I have ever seen in my life.
Fade2blac @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:06AM
I've never had much interest in the DS before but this could be enough to tip the scales in favor of yet another gaming platform I don't really need or afford!
jonathan @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:22AM
i think they are trying to make it like the pandora, which is way faster than all of those and has a keyboard. no camera though cause its for games and who needs a camera on a handheld console that doesn't have one on their phone or a real digital camera.
Jack @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:33AM
3-megapixel(!) you forget 0. DSi cameras are 0.3 megalpixels...or 300,000 pixels 640x480 = 307,200 pixels.
Tomline @ Oct 4th 2008 3:19AM
nah the one on the front is 3 MP, the inside one is 0.3, VGA res.
TJF588 @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:50AM
*gushing*
*squeeing*
*totalling wanting DSi & PSP-3001*
*grabs hold of self for a moment*
FUCK YOU, Nintendo, for removing the GBA/expansion slot! You better find a way to make up for this in regards to GBA/peripheral compatability!
*contiues to liek that "matte black" is a launch color*
ZaxCG2 @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:16AM
I WANTED BLUEEEEE. But yes, now my future DSi will match my PSP. :P
Hellios @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:58AM
Well I'm kinda disappointed, was hoping for revamped specs for the new Nintendo Handheld, maybe a built in accelerometer/wiimote-like functionality, a faster CPU, more ram, stuff like that.
Also, the DS does not have a browser, you can't buy it unless you find it used.
Metayoshi @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:50AM
The DS doesn't have a browser built in... But the DSi will ;)
Godmil @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:45AM
Think I'd prefer a Pandora... if only they didn't sell out so quickly :(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console)