Dual-core LG Optimus 2X will arrive this month

THE WORLD'S FIRST dual core Android smartphone, the LG Optimus 2X will reach the UK this month, but it won't be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box.

Rumoured since late last year, the LG Optimus 2X made a stir at CES in January thanks mainly to its Nvidia Tegra 2 mobile dual core 1Ghz processor. Nvidia breaking out in the hot mobile market, also providing its Tegra 2 chip in other devices like the Motorola Xoom tablet.

Since then we've also seen another dual core smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S II, but LG's new smartphone might give the company a shot of adrenaline in an Android market where it has been standing still. LG hasn't informed the INQUIRER of an actual UK shipping date by the time of writing.

Disappointingly, the LG Optimus 2X won't run Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but it should be upgradeable in the future. Unlike companies like HTC and Samsung, LG hasn't got much experience in attempting to update Android phones, so it might pay to be a little bit wary here, especially if you really want a smartphone that runs Gingerbread soon.

And of course, dual core sounds great, but currently smartphones don't necessarily need that much processing power. It'll be a fair while yet until developers can really get a handle on developing apps to take advantage of that power, so it'll be up to you whether the premium you might have to pay will be worthwhile. µ