PSP-3000

PSP-3000 · 2008–2014 · handheld console

Specifications

Cpu: custom MIPS32 R4000-class "Allegrex" core up to 333 MHz plus a separate MIPS Media Engine co-processor, unchanged from the PSP-2000
Ram: max: 64 MB main + 4 MB embedded DRAM (fixed, not expandable) · base: 64 MB main + 4 MB embedded DRAM (Media Engine/GPU), same as the PSP-2000
Ports: USB 2.0 · 3.5mm headphone jack · video output (component or composite via cable; games can now run interlaced on standard-definition TVs, which the PSP-2000 could not do)
Battery: removable Li-ion 1200 mAh (model PSP-S110), roughly 3 to 6 hours
Display: 4.3" 480×272 TFT with a wider color gamut, five times the contrast of the PSP-2000, halved pixel response time, and an anti-reflective coating for outdoor play; a built-in microphone sits below the screen for Skype and voice chat. Fast motion shows a visible interlacing/scanline artifact that Sony acknowledged and never fixed.
Storage: base: none built in (UMD for games/video, Memory Stick Duo for saves and media) · options: Memory Stick Duo up to 32 GB (community-tested, well past official spec)
Release Price: $169.99 standalone (US, October 2008); $199.99 launch bundle with Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
Storage Medium: UMD + Memory Stick Duo

Variants

Colors

Piano Blacklaunch color, 2008

Pearl Whitelaunch-era color, 2008

Mystic Silver2008, used in the US launch bundle

Radiant Redcarnival color, 2009 (Japan first)

Vibrant Bluecarnival color, 2009 (Japan first)

Bright Yellowcarnival color, 2009 (Japan first)

Spirited Greencarnival color, 2009 (Japan first)

Blossom Pinklater regional color

Turquoise Greenlater regional color

Lilac Purplelater regional color

Upgrade paths

other

light custom firmware (PRO or ME), made permanent with the Infinity exploit · The Pandora battery trick does not work on the PSP-3000. The first break was the ChickHEN TIFF exploit on firmware 5.03 (May 2009), which enabled temporary CFW like 5.03 GEN. The modern route is simpler: update to official 6.61, run a one-click LCFW installer, and optionally apply Infinity (2016) for permanent CFW, something previously impossible on this model.

free

EASY

battery

swap the 1200 mAh PSP-S110 pack · Same removable-battery design as the PSP-2000; aftermarket and higher-capacity packs fit.

EASY