Samsung 'Instinct' Next Smartphone Salvo

Here come the ads ... this time for Samsung's Instinct smartphone.

Even before the Instinct is available for sale, the barrage has begun. The phone -- which will be distributed by Sprint(S Quote - Cramer on S - Stock Picks) here in the U.S. -- already has its own Web site, which is accepting reservations for more info for this new 3G smartphone.

Of course, all smartphones will be measured against the current industry standards: Apple's(AAPL Quote - Cramer on AAPL - Stock Picks) iPhone (the new version will be announced any day now) and the two new Research In Motion(RIMM Quote - Cramer on RIMM - Stock Picks) phones (the Bold -- which has been announced -- and the rumored, flip-open Thunder).

And more are on the way, including the Garmin(GRMN Quote - Cramer on GRMN - Stock Picks) nuviphone, Google(GOOG Quote - Cramer on GOOG - Stock Picks) Gphone and the Sony/Ericsson(SNE Quote - Cramer on SNE - Stock Picks) Xperia -- which are about to be released.

Samsung's iPhone Killer Instinct

According to the very early devices that we've seen -- and the new Instinct Web site -- the Instinct is slim and sleek and at first glance looks a lot like the iPhone.

Samsung has chosen to reveal a number of the Instinct's features:

• An advanced-response touch screen (I'm not not sure exactly what that means.)
• High-speed wireless (It's a 3G phone that works on Sprint's EV-DO data network.)
• Customizable favorites (You get to choose what's on your home screen.)
• Landscape QWERTY keyboard (You turn the screen sideways for larger keys.)
• Multimedia functionality (You can listen to music while you're sending messages, etc.)
• Stereo Bluetooth (How could the original iPhone not have come with wireless stereo headphone capabilities?)
• Removable battery (This is different from the iPhone1. The Instinct actually comes with two removable batteries.)
• A 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder (That's the right size.)
• Expandable memory (The Instinct comes with a 2GB microSD card.)
• Built-in GPS navigation and search (GPS appears to be the new must-have feature for smartphones.)
• Visual voicemail (a nice, flashy touch)
• Mobile sync (wirelessly, with your info on the Sprint Web site)
• Sprint Power Vision services (TV on the go, checking email, Sprint Music store, games, etc.).\
• Mini-leather case (holds the phone and a stylus. Most of the Instinct's competitors do not come with a leather case, which is a $40 item.)

Past that, the Instinct Web site is short on other information. There are some front and side photos of the handset (with simulated screen images) and a place to click to "reserve yours now" but not much else.

Samsung is also not giving hints as to the exact date it will be available in Sprint stores or how much it might cost. But rest assured, the Instinct will hit stores very soon at a price that will be very competitive with other 3G smartphones about to hit the marketplace.