Fridays launch of the Palm Pre is set to cause a stir in the smartphone market. More than a quarter of smartphone users said they’re interested in buying the handset, before it has even hit the shelves. The research, carried out by TNS technology reveals 26% of users were likely to buy the Palm Pre, that’s 10% more than the figure calculated for the iPhone in 2007.

When TNS checked out what existing 02 customers had to say, again the Palm Pre beat iPhone figures but 10% prior to its release. Since awareness of the Palm handset is relatively low, compared to the iPhone hype, the Pre could prove to be the device we’ve been waiting for to rebalance shares of the Smartphone market. Initial Palm Pre reviews seem to support the notion that, at the very least the device will give the iPhone a run for it’s money.

However, loyal iPhone users are likely to stick by their Apple devices, and with the app store growing by the hour, it’s hard to believe another device can take control of the market. Kevin Evans, Director at TNS Technology, commented, “the Palm Pre is already being touted as the iPhone killer and our research certainly suggests it’s going to shake up the market.”