Vita:Vita Model Differences
Page content & researching collaboratively taken from io55.net's PS Vita page with permission.
There are four Vita models, three of which being handheld models.
Retail Models
Models are arranged chronologically.
PCH-11xx "OLED 3G" (2011-2013)
The fullest-featured version of the PS Vita. It is sometimes nicknamed "phat" or "fat" due to it having the largest size, or nicknamed "OLED" due its display technology. Easily identified by its flat metal trim surrounding the body, having oval-shaped home/start/select buttons, and a glossier front panel. The PCH-11xx has also has SIM card slot on the left side of the console unlike it's non-3G counterpart. Featuring an OLED screen, a proprietary charger, and no usable internal storage by default.
The biggest reason one would prefer a PCH-1xxx series Vita over a PCH-20xx is for the OLED panel. The OLED screen adds a color depth and screen quality not found on PCH-20xx consoles. On the PCH-11xx SKU, the SIM card slot and 3G modem also introduces a useful mod not possible on the other models. To be specific, it is possible to replace the 3G modem with an SD card reader called PSVSD. To compliment a PSVSD, it is also possible to (optinally) replace the SIM card tray for a MicroSD slot with a microSD extenstion cable. Such a mod allows the usage of a game cartridge and MicroSD card at the same time; whereas the non-3G handheld Vitas need an SD2Vita which normally occupies the cartridge slot. The PSTV/PS Vita TV doesn't have this issue, as it has a USB port.
PCH-10xx "OLED (Wi-Fi)" (2011-2014)
Identical to the PCH-11xx series, except there is no 3G modem. Thus, all other characteristics from the PCH-11xx apply to this model. The lack of the connector and various SMD components for a 3G modem makes an internal MicroSD card mod impossible, or at least extremely difficult. However, the extra space on the inside does allow for more hardware mods, like extended batteries.
VTE-10xx "PlayStation TV" or "PS Vita TV" (2013-2016)
Differing greatly from other Vita models, the PSTV is essentially a consolized PS Vita. Very easily identified by its sleek and small “flat plate” form factor that has no screen. In Asian regions, the console was given the more accurate name of the PS Vita TV.
Connects to DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 controllers in replacement of the Vita's normal controls. The DualShock 4's touch pad can also be used to emulate the Vita's touch screen/touch pad.
Unlike retail handheld Vitas, the PSTV also features a USB-A port. The USB port can function in a similar manner to a PSVSD on a 3G OLED console, where extra storage doesn't need to interfere with the game cartridge slot.
The one obvious benefit of the PSTV is that it allows playing Vita games, homebrew, and other-such software on one's TV without needing a computer. In fact, homebrewing is almost a must for the PSTV, as a large amount of Vita software will refuse to work on the PSTV due to Sony-added limitations that aren't even necessary.
PCH-20xx "Slim" (2013-2019)
A drastic revision to the retail Vita handheld SKUs, which saw several changes compared to the PCH-1xxx series. It is often nicknamed "slim" due to its smaller size. It is easily identified by the home, start, and select buttons being perfectly circular with the plastic body having an all matte finish. This model also has a rounder appearance with no aluminum bezel on the edges unlike the OLED models.
Compared to the PCH-1xxx, it improved battery life (Revised SoC), ergonomics, replaced the propritary UDC port to be standard MicroUSB, added 1 GB of usable internal memory, reduced weight and thickness, and replaced the 1xxx's OLED panel for an IPS one. There is also no 3G version of the PCH-20xx SKU, as the 3G equipped 11xx consoles were already discontinued in 2014. The analog sticks on the 20xx series also use traditional potentiometer technology, whereas the 1xxx series used hall effect based sticks. This means that the analog sticks on the Slim Vitas could potentially be less reliable than the OLED Vitas.
Both the PCH-20xx and PCH-1xxx are quite evenly matched as devices, since the loss of the OLED in the 20xx was essentially “made up for” with the introduction of the previously mentioned general improvements found in the 20xx.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_TV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Vita
https://retrogamebuyer.com/ps-vita-1000-vs-2000/
https://www.reddit.com/r/vita/comments/lw5frh/pros_cons_of_ps_vita_1000_ps_vita_2000/