2011 will see the release of the first dual core mobile handset. The LG Optimus 2x is being billed as the most advanced smartphone seen so far. The name 2x references how the dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor offers 2 times the power and speed of other non-dual core handsets. While the Tegra 2 chip will no doubt be rolled out over a vast number of handsets throughout 2011, LG will be pleased to have got there first, and this shows when you consider the other features LG have loaded the device with. They certainly want to capitalize, and as we will see, they are likely to.

First up is the announcement of 1080p video recording. Using the on board 8 megapixel camera, 1080p recording is very impressive and certainly not common. As well as recording, the device can also playback both recordings and other stored videos onto larger screens using HDMI mirroring. A nice additional use of this feature is that games can be beamed to larger screens while the handset is still used as a controller. Speaking of storage, the Optimus 2x comes with 8gb included and a microSD card slot which allows for the handset to be expanded by up to 32 further gigabytes, a set up that is nothing new.

The Optimus 2x has a second, front facing camera, which is 1.3mp and used for video communication. Along with the rear facing 8 mega pixel lens, this is a winning camera combination. The LG Optimus 2x has a 4 inch display with a resolution of 800x480. It is important that the screen is both bright and sharp in order to make the most of the handsets high definition credentials. The screen is also crucial to convey the graphics that the Tegra 2 processor can now allow the handset to handle.

Luckily, the WVGA screen included here does the job very well. In terms of looks, the LG is pretty standard fare, with design cues limited due to the dominating nature of the screen. On the back we find a brushed steel effect bar running down the middle of the device ending at the camera lens. The device is mainly black with an inlaid silver edge. One criticism that is being leveled at this announced handset regards its battery. It is a relatively standard 1,500mAh unit. The problem comes when considering how long this standard battery may last while powering a dual core processor. While NVIDIA claim that the Tegra 2 has low power consumption, it is by no means claiming that battery life won't be affected by all of the extra power. Only when we are given a more thorough look through the handset however will we know if our fears are based in any kind of truth. If the handset cannot be used for more than a few hours however, it will seriously limit this machines desirability, which would be a shame.

In summary, the LG Optimus 2x is an exciting development as it signals a new age of dual core mobile devices. This makes multi tasking and graphic heavy processes much faster and moves mobile devices even further into the 'portable computer' category. All we have to hope is that battery technology continues to keep up to allow such powerful devices to be used all day long.

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