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The PS Vita is the best retro-handheld deal in the Apollo ecosystem: one device runs Apollo for Vita, PSP and PS1 saves. Here’s how to buy a good one.
1000 vs 2000: The Real Differences
| Vita 1000 (PCH-1000) | Vita 2000 (PCH-2000) | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | OLED — richer colour, the collectible pick | LCD — perfectly good, no burn-in worries |
| Body | Heavier, premium feel | Slimmer, lighter, longer battery |
| Built-in storage | None | 1GB internal |
| Charging | Proprietary port | Micro-USB (easier cables) |
| Memory | Both need storage expansion for a real library — see SD2Vita below | |
The Memory Card Trap — and SD2Vita
Sony’s proprietary Vita memory cards are small and expensive per gigabyte. The community standard fix is an SD2Vita adapter: a game-card-slot adapter that takes a normal microSD. Budget for the adapter plus a reputable microSD card from day one — our SD2Vita & microSD guide covers adapter versions and fake-card avoidance. Adapters are cheap on AliExpress; cards should come from a trustworthy seller.
Checks Before You Pay
- Screen: OLED units — check for burn-in on a white screen; both — check for yellowing and dead pixels.
- Sticks and buttons: drift test in a game or the browser; triggers and the rear touchpad respond.
- Battery: holds charge and charges normally; swollen battery = walk away.
- Homebrew state: a stock unit is fine (HENkaku/Enso-family setups are straightforward), and any firmware can be worked with in the current scene — but a unit already running a persistent setup saves you time if it’s healthy.
- Sellers on eBay with real photos of the actual unit beat stock-photo listings every time.
After It Arrives
Set up the homebrew environment, install VitaShell, then Apollo: Vita install guide — and dump your PSP FuseID early with Apollo’s tools so PSP save re-signing works first try (why FuseID matters).