3G Vita Components Estimated to Cost $159

Consulting firm UBM TechInsights managed to get their hands on the 3G model of the PlayStation Vita, so they did what any reasonable person would do: tear it apart to see what's inside.

Turns out, there's quite a bit of technology stuffed in there. UBM put together an exhaustive list of all the components, sorted by manufacturer.

• Sony CXD5315GG – Quad-core processor with two Samsung K4P2G324EC 256 MB Mobile DDR2-S4 SDRAM Memory die (512MB total memory)
• Toshiba THGBM3G5D1FBAIE – Multichip Memory Package – Memory and Memory Controller
• Marvell 88W878S-BKB2 – Avastar WLAN/Bluetooth/FM Single-Chip System-on-Chip
• Fujitsu MB44C026A – Possible Multichannel Switching Controller
• Sony 1144KM427 – suspected AKM Magnetic Compass
• Wolfson Micro WM1803E – Audio Codec
• Qualcomm MDM6200 – Gobi Single-mode Modem
• Qualcom PM8028 – Power Management IC
• Toshiba TY890A111222KA – Mobile SDR SDRAM Memory
• Kionix KXTC9 – Three-axis MEMS accelerometer
• Avago ACPM-7868 – GSM Power Amplifier
• Avago ACPM-5005 – W-CDMA Band V Power Amplifier Module
• Avago ACPM-5001 – W-CDMA Band I Power Amplifier Module
• Avago ACPM-5002 – W-CDMA Band II Power Amplifier Module
• Avago ACPM-5008 – W-CDMA Band VIII Power Amplifier Module
• EPCOS B7429 – SAW Duplexer
• Sony CXM3555ER – SP10T Antenna Switch Module
• Atmel MXT224 – 224-Channel Touchscreen Sensor
• STMicroelectronics 32P10SOD
• STMicroelectronics 3GA51H – Gyroscope

According to a report from Eurogamer, the cost for those parts breaks down thusly: 

• 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

For those of you without a calculator handy, the grand total comes to $159.10, or a little more than half of the system's $299 MSRP.

Of course, we should note that the tally doesn't factor in the cost of production, marketing, or R&D, all of which substantially increase overhead. Still, it appears that Sony will be turning a sizable profit on every Vita sold, meaning there's ample room for a price cut should the need arise.

You'll be able to get your hands on a Vita when it goes on sale in North American and Europe on February 22. We don't recommend disassembling it once you do.