Samsung 'Instinct' Next Smartphone Salvo

The Korean electronics giant will make the 3G challenger to Apple's iPhone available through Sprint.
By Gary Krakow ,

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) - Get Report

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) - Get Report

iPhone (the new version will be announced any day now) and the two new

Research In Motion

(RIMM)

phones (the Bold -- which has been announced -- and the rumored, flip-open Thunder).

And more are on the way, including the

Garmin

(GRMN) - Get Report

nuviphone,

Google

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Gphone and the

Sony/Ericsson

(SNE) - Get Report

Xperia -- which are about to be released.

Samsung's iPhone Killer Instinct

var config = new Array(); config<BRACKET>"videoId"</BRACKET> = 1577985175; config<BRACKET>"playerTag"</BRACKET> = "TSCM Embedded Video Player"; config<BRACKET>"autoStart"</BRACKET> = false; config<BRACKET>"preloadBackColor"</BRACKET> = "#FFFFFF"; config<BRACKET>"useOverlayMenu"</BRACKET> = "false"; config<BRACKET>"width"</BRACKET> = 265; config<BRACKET>"height"</BRACKET> = 255; config<BRACKET>"playerId"</BRACKET> = 1243645856; createExperience(config, 8);

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.

Gary Krakow is TheStreet.com's senior technology correspondent.

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