Will HTC&39's foray into the dual-core handset war start with the Pyramid

Rumors of a dual-core Android smartphone from HTC began swirling today, thanks to information obtained by the blog AndroidAndMe.

According to multiple sources, HTC should debut its first 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon handset in May. The handset, which carries the code-name Pyramid, is said to feature a 4.3-inch qHD display and support for HSPA+ connectivity. TmoNews has confirmed on its end that T-Mobile is expecting to offer the phone in the same time frame.

Although the rest of the specs remain in the dark, AndroidAndMe speculates as to what the dual-core processor could provide in terms of support. Look for 1080p HD video recording, a 960x540 resolution on the display, and possibly a 16-megapixel camera.

HTC will be at Mobile World Congress just two weeks from now where it will show off its latest models. While it's possible that the company could demonstrate dual-core technology on its handsets, I wouldn't hold my breath. With at least three months before its rumored launch, I would anticipate HTC waiting until CTIA in March to show the device.

On the other hand, the handset maker has a tendency to release various iterations of similar hardware across multiple carriers and regions. Perhaps the three recently leaked phones may shed some light on the hardware coming out of its camp in the first half of the year.