Qualcomm, whose chips are found in a number of well-regarded devices such as Google Nexus One, the HTC Desire and the Dell Streak, has announced its first dual core Snapdragon processor.

Qualcomm's new dual core Snapdragon processor feature speeds of up to 1.2GHz as compared with its first-generation processors that can handle speeds of 1GHz.

There are two versions of dual core Snapdragon processor viz. the MSM8260 and the MSM8660. The MSM8260 is for HSDPA+ networks, and the MSM8660 is for multi-mode HSPA+/CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. B networks.

Both, the MSM8260 and the MSM8660, feature two CPU cores and include a GPU with 3D & 2D acceleration engines, a video encoder/decoder, which supports up to 1080p video, support for 24-bit WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution displays and integrated GPS.

Qualcomm, the US chip designer, said that the MSM8260 and the MSM8660 would target high-end smartphones. It added that the new chips would boost web application and multi-media performance.