Microsoft's engineering team is currently testing Qualcomm's dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, with a view to utilising the chip in Windows Phone 8 handsets later this year.

That's according to a report on The Verge, which claims Qualcomm's MSM8960 chipset could find itself deployed within handsets running the OS in time for the roll out of Windows Phone 8.

The move towards multi-core processors might have been forced through  by carriers, with US operator Sprint rumoured to be reluctant to carry any new Windows Phone handsets until the platform moves beyond its single-core base.

Doubling up

Indeed, while Microsoft currently limits Windows Phone devices single-core processors, rival high-end Android handsets have begun to embrace multi-core chipsets en masse.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 has already won praise in the field, with a benchmark test by AnandTech claiming the MSM8960 is "able to deliver more than twice the performance of any currently shipping system-on-a-chip".

Though neither Microsoft nor Qualcomm have offered comment – the latter simply noting that it has a "strong”" relationship with the Redmond giant – a late 2012 launch for any dual-core Windows Phones ties in with the release schedule for Window Phone 8, due in Q4 2012.

Back in December, a leaked Windows Phone roadmap video hit the web detailing the features set to ship with the update – better known as Apollo – with support for multi-core processors grabbing the headlines.

[source: The Verge]