Palm Pre more popular than iPhone?

Research by TNS Technology has revealed that users are looking forward to Friday’s UK Palm Pre launch more than the initial iPhone launch back in 2007.

According to the report, while general awareness is lower for the new unit, 26 per cent of the users questioned would definitely or probably buy the Palm Pre. This compares to a figure of only 16 per cent for a similar report covering the iPhone two years ago.

Of course, public awareness of smart phones has rocketed in recent years, largely thanks to the efforts of Apple and its iPhone. However, it seems that smart pricing and even smarter timing is also playing a major part for the buzz surrounding the Pre.

According to Kevin Evans, Associate Director at TNS Technology, “The Palm Pre is already being touted as the ‘iPhone killer’ and our research certainly suggests it’s going to shake up the market. The decision to offer the Pre free to those on a 24-month contract is in sharp contrast to the £269 price of the iPhone at its launch, while the launch timing capitalises on the fact that thousands of UK iPhone early-adopters are approaching the end of their 18-month contract period, while the next-generation iPhone is not expected until next June.”