The CPU is basically the heart or literal core of every smart phone. While other devices thrive on mid range processors that only have to provide power that is optimal for the performance of the device, the same is not to be said about smart phone technology. Much like computers, having a great set of hardware specs from the get go is important for mobile phones. And unlike desktop personal computers that can have parts replaced and updated, the same cannot be said for closed devices such as mobile phones.

In the recently held Qualcomm 2010 Innovation Convention, the chip manufacturing giant confirmed that 2011 will see the next big benchmark in CPU technology, the 1.5 GHz chipset.

At the moment, the current industry standard for the typical high end smart entails having the Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU. This processor is clocked at the speed of 1GHz –which is actually the fastest available mobile phone CPU at the moment. It has been reported that as the end of the year draws closer, faster processors running at 1.2GHz are expected to come out packed in the latest Windows phone 7 devices.

Currently, several upcoming phones such as the HTC HD3, the new Sony Ericsson WP7 handset, and LG’s new phones are predicted to be using new CPU technology (though LG’s CPUs are the NVIDIA based, dual core Tegra).

With 4G technologies slowly becoming established as the new network of choice and the faster 1.5 GHz CPUs about to arrive, it seems that 2011 is quickly building up what might become one of the biggest turning points in the history of mobile handsets.

Of course, the introduction of a new processor is only the first step. With a 1.5 GHz CPU ready and waiting, Qualcomm could also start focusing on creating a dual core version of the CPU. The only thing that is needed now is for manufacturers to improve the life and usability of mobile phone batteries.