Nokia is planning to release 12 smartphones by the end of 2012, and some of them will most likely have dual-core processors. The release of the smartphones will start in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Nokia N8 is already based on a Qualcomm dual-core processor, but the upcoming handsets will not be using this exact version of the processor; Nokia will shift to the ST-Ericsson processors when creating its first Windows Phone-based devices.
In an interview with Forbes Carlo Bozzoti, STMicroelectronics’ CEO, mentioned that they “have very close relations” with Nokia and that the company will supply processors for at least 8 out of 12 Nokia smartphones. Most likely Nokia will choose the ST-Ericsson U8500 system-on-a-chip package, which includes ARM Cortex A9 dual-core processors. It is a rather powerful chipset that can support displays with a resolution of 1280 × 768, and video recording capabilities of 1080 p.
Some analysts still claim that the first Nokia smartphones based on Windows Phone OS will get an early release — before the end of 2011. Most likely Nokia will stop manufacturing Qualcomm handsets by the end of this year, and the entire 2012 will be devoted to the ST-Ericsson chipsets.
It’s noteworthy that ST-Ericsson used to be the main supplier for Nokia until 2009 (it used to be called ST-NXP Wireless) when Nokia started to work with Qualcomm and other manufacturers.
