If you're looking to stay on top of cross-play with the PlayStation 4, you'll want to start budgeting, because the PS Vita Slim was announced as coming to the U.K., meaning it will more than likely be coming across the pond (but don't take my word on it).
Sony's UK Product Manager, Ben Law, revealed the PS Vita Slim at an event in London, where it will arrive in early February. First introduced in October, the handheld was a Japanese exclusive until now. The difference between the two models is hard to take in visually, but they're there. The PS Vita Slim, or PS Vita 2000, is:
- 20% thinner
- 15% lighter
- an hour increase in battery life (some have reported higher)
- micro USB Type B port, so any standard micro USB cable can be used to charge the Vita
- 1GB internal storage memory
- features a LCD screen over an OLED screen
Sony intends to use the Vita Slim as a replacement for the original, so as stock of the latter runs out, that'll be it.
During the London event, Sony UK Chief Fergal Gara also revealed that PlayStation Plus subscriptions have more than tripled since the PlayStation 4 launched in November. Not surprising really, as a PS Plus account is required to play PS4 games online, but news is news. Expect the number to grow even higher, as the PlayStation 4 is still set to be released in Japan. The next-gen console will arrive there on February 22.
An new update for the system (1.6), expected to support Pulse Headsets for the system is scheduled to release at the same time. We'll keep you posted if Sony reveals any other locations that can expect to get the PS Vita Slim.
