For the last week I have been using my old PS Vita 3G as my primary mobile phone via Skype. It is not perfect, but it gets the job done. I have not been able to figure out how to text, I am guessing this feature is not available on the Vita. However call quality, and reception has been great over AT&T here in Western Washington.

This all came about via every piece falling in place. I switched over to AT&T when I bought my Xperia Z3 in December, because my work has AT&T repeaters inside all of their buildings, and a heafty discount. With this new plan it is only $10 a month to add a tablet or data only device. After a wild thought crossed my mind I decided why not throw the Vita on and play around with it again. Then over the holidays a friend wanted me to jump into a session of Titanfall on PC, since EA Origin is garbage, he asked me to get a Skype account (we used to VC over Steam). Finally, with PS Now subscriptions hitting, and having Wifi access at work, I decided to try a few PS3 games at lunch. Now I had the Vita with me all the time, I had 3G everywhere, and I had a Skype account. I finally put it all together last weekend, and decided to check it out this week. 

As things stand right now, I think I am going to keep going with the Vita as my Primary Mobile Phone. The handfull of people that really need to contact me already do so either through PSN or Facebook anyways, and I let them know that I would not be carrying my phone on me this last week. Now I have full fledged mobile games, PS4 remote Play,  and access to the whole PS Now sub at work, and that destroies anything I was using the Z3 for. I can check Emails, set up calender events, View documents on Office Online, Stream Music Unlimited, and browse Youtube. 

It is unfortunate that Sony no longer makes a 3G version of the Vita. I think with the flexability and much better service from all mobile providers it could be a much more sucessful device now than when it launched. IF I don't run into any issues in the next couple of weeks, I may just end up selling the Z3 to get some money back. Hopefully, Sony will do another Vita revision in the future with 3 or 4G. At the moment there is no way to replace the one I have if something breaks, and I really don't like the thought of going back to a smartphone.

Yes, I tried it, for a brief period where I didn't have a cell phone and I absolutely had to make a phone call... AT&T has the most scammiest (new words) of prices.

However, no, That should never take the place of an actual cell phone. Data is extremely limited, Text is not available via Skype on via, for some unexplained reason, and if you ever have a real emergency, you cannot dial 9-1-1.

I hoped they would have made a 4G vita version. If they ever do, I will buy a 2nd vita.

In the end, it's simply lacking, and over priced, and lacks a viable option for emergency calls. I suggest you get a real cell phone, where you can use skype to skype for free, and have unlimited calls, texting, and call 9-1-1.

Don't wait until you're in trouble to see why what you're doing is a bad idea. Besides. Taking the thing out, loading skype... You could have had the number dialed on a phone by then. And it takes a bit longer to connect a call to skype.... and, that "wonderful" vita battery life. Without leaving skype running in the background, you can't receive calls anyway (assuming you've bought a skype number). Get a phone.

Don't worry, even if I sell the Z3 I still have my old T-Mobile Xperia Z it is unlcoked so I would just use it for my home phone. That way I do have something if the house catches fire or something shaddy is going down.  I have 30GB of data, so I am not to worried there. So far I have been fine with battery life, keeping it on the dock at work so it has full juice all the time.

Nothing is set in stone yet, but it is looking like a good way to get back possibly $300 to $400 on the Z3, and it only cost about $7 a month for Skype. Thank you for your response, it is very appreciated.

There are other ways to save money, you know? Personally, I'd just go without a cell phone, if anything, and make calls from a home line.. Take it back to '98.

The advantage of a dedicated handheld is that you don't have to worry about draining your battery while gaming.

If you use it as your main communication device you can't play while expecting a call (the Skype app will be freezed or closed when starting a game) and you probably play less to keep enough battery time for calls. With 3G always activated and Skype running, the battery won't get you through the whole day anyway.

Actually non of that has been an issue.

The battery lasts all day with nearly 50% left  if I only game with Skype running. I only have about 1- 2 hours to game in the 11 I am away for work. The only reason I started docking it was because of music streaming. Streaming to a Blue Tooth speaker drained the Z dead, and only left the Z3 with about 20% battery at the end of the day, so I did not expect the Vita to handle that.

As for Skype during gaming. The only issue is PS Now does forces it closed. Otherwise, Vita, PSP, PS1, and PSM apps have no effect. I can receive a call as in the middle of any of them, and go right back to the game without issue.