The Palm Pre has finally hit the UK stores - and those who have been waiting to lay their hands on the smartphone can purchase it from the stores of the devices' exclusive carrier O2.

Going by the pre-release reports about the Pre, Palm's first next-gen webOS device, though there is notable interest among people to grab the Pre, a lot of them consider the contract prices rather high, especially given the fiercely competitive smartphone market.

Nonetheless, there are a number of tariff plans being offered by O2, and customers can easily take their pick, depending upon their need. At its lowest tariff point, the Palm Pre is available for free to subscribers who opt for on an 18-month contract at £44.05 monthly charge, which includes 1200 minutes, 500 texts, Wi-Fi and unlimited data.

According to the plans mentioned on the O2 site, the two most economical 18-month tariffs are £29.38 per month bundled with 75 minutes and 125 texts, and £34.26 per month including 600 minutes and 500 texts. However, for both the packages, which include Wi-Fi and mobile Internet, customers will have to pay a £96.89 upfront cost for the Pre.

For a two-year contract, the Pre comes free of charge with the £34.26 per month package, which includes 600 minutes and 500 texts.