The Palm Pre is already in mass production if a slip from a Chinese wholesaler proves true. Ludle International claims that the device is already in volume production and should be available in the near future. As evidence, the company has what appears to be an example unit and provides early impressions of the design: in addition to feeling smaller than an iPhone, the design’s screen is less scratch-proof but is compensated for by a tougher (though fingerprint-prone) back.

Actual software use isn’t mentioned, though the Pre’s CDMA networking wouldn’t function in China, where GSM is the predominant format. The Pre is increasingly seen as arriving in the US on May 17th and would need to already be in mid-production for enough quantities to satisfy Sprint’s online and retail stores.