To get a better understanding of just how well Apple's iPhone 3G has been doing, one should know that the smartphone is currently sold out pretty much everywhere in the country.

On Monday morning, there were only three US Apple stores left with the device in stock. AT&T stores are in the same situation of not being able to provide their customers with the device they desire. Almost all the stores of the wireless company have finished their stocks and it was said it may take up to three weeks to receive new shipments.

The new generation of the iPhone was released on July 11 and the public's enthusiasm has been incredible everywhere, not just in the US. Apple officials said the company has sold more than one million units worldwide in only three days.

In the US, both Apple and AT&T are selling the new smartphones for $199 and $299, depending on which internal memory is chosen. Oddly enough, the new device is way cheaper than the old version.

The iPhone shortage and the lack of stock replenishment related information could make a lot of impatient customers switch to the recently launched Samsung Instinct. The touch-screen smartphone is being made available for the price of $129.99, when purchased with a two-year contract.

Last month, independent telecom analyst Jeff Kagan said that every once in a while, a device that "captures the imagination" is launched. He considers that last year’s big thing was Apple’s iPhone and that 2008 could be all about Samsung’s Instinct. There are a lot of variables right now and in order to get a real market response, a bit more time must pass; things will surely be made clear soon enough.