LG unleashes Optimus 4X HD smartphone with Nvidia Tegra 3 processor

Device includes 4.7in display, 1.5GHz processor quad-core processor and 2,150mAh battery

LG has unveiled the first smartphone powered by a Tegra 3 processor as it looks to get the jump on rivals such as Samsung and HTC ahead of Mobile World Congress.

The LG Optimus 4X HD incorporates an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor that LG is touting as running at 1.5GHz, suggesting it has been enhanced as the chipmaker lists a maximum frequency of 1.3GHz for the Tegra 3.

LG said it had, "worked closely with Nvidia to achieve a 1.5GHZ clock speed".

The device has a 4.7in True HD IPS display with a 1280x720 resolution, which LG claims has unrivalled clarity and no colour or shape distortion. The chassis is 8.9mm thick and the smartphone features a prism-edged design that gives it a premium finish.

Other key specifications include 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory and an 8-megapixel camera with a Backside Illumination sensor (BSI).

A 2,150mAh battery will be used to help power the huge display and the overclocked quad-core processor and it will be interesting to see just how long the device lasts during testing.

The Optimus 4X HD will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and LG is expected to debut an overlay to offer a customised user experience.

"LG introduced the world's first dual-core smartphone exactly one year ago and today we're announcing the next milestone," said Jong-seok Park, president and chief executive of LG.

"But speed in itself isn't what makes LG Optimus 4X HD unique, it's the benefit we're bringing to customers with the HD multimedia experience in a mobile form factor."

LG has yet to release pricing and release date, but we expect further details to be made available during MWC. V3 will be at the show next week to provide a hands on demonstration and video from the show floor in Barcelona.