It looks like Apple has another winner on its hands. Perhaps you thought a smartphone just couldn’t get any better than the iPhone 3G, but you might want to think again. The 3GS iPhone has all the great features of the 3G, along with a few new ones.

One of the visible differences is on the touch screen. The GS has a protective coating on the screen that makes it practically impervious to fingerprints, smudges, and spots. For those with less-than-perfect phone hygiene, this is a real plus. Just a fast rub on a shirt sleeve, and the screen becomes spotless again.

Otherwise, in appearance, the two iPhones are virtually identical. The only difference is the Apple logo on the back. So what’s the big deal? The differences are on the inside, where they really count.

For one thing, the 3GS is faster, as it should be since the “s” stands for “speed.” Apple touts their new phone as the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. The CPU has been increased to 600MHz from the 3G’s 412, and the memory has increased to 256MB with the 3GS. The data speeds have increased to 7.2 Mbps, providing faster network speeds and faster email. Applications and games load much more quickly and run more smoothly than they did on the 3G. Multimedia messaging is also possible with the 3GS.

The camera is also better than the one on earlier Apple iPhones. The 3GS has a 3mp camera with auto focus and auto exposure. Photo and video geotags are possible with the 3GS, too. And all you have to do to focus is tap. With improved auto white balance, you’ll see a big difference in the quality of your photos, especially in close-ups and low light.

One of the most impressive features of the 3GS iPhone is its 30 frames-per-second video recording. The quality is actually as good as some videos shot with a camcorder. Also, video editing is easy to do. You can delete parts of the video you don’t want and just keep the parts you do want. There’s also a video option that allows you to upload to You Tube, MobileME, and email via integrated hooks.

Video games on the 3GS iPhone are better, not only because of improved 3-D graphics and color, but also because of the extra speed. Diehard gamers will love the 3GS.

The 3GS also features voice control. You can command your phone to call friends in your call list, dial a number, or to play certain songs. You can even use commands like “pause song,” “what song is playing,” “yes,” and “no” and the 3GS iPhone obeys.

An interesting feature of the 3GS is its compass. It works in any position your phone is in. It has a special option with Google Maps, too. After it locates you on the GPS, you can press the “find me” button again and it will re-position the map in the direction you’re facing. This is especially helpful if you’re in strange surroundings and you’ve become disoriented.

The battery life of the 3GS is a little longer than that of the 3G, with up to 600 minutes of talk time. In addition, the new phone has a battery indicator to let you know how much “juice” you have left, which definitely comes in handy.

As a built-in feature, the 3GS has Nike + iPod support. You can purchase the Nike Support package for $19, and it will keep up with your workout progress. A special sensor fits inside your Nike shoes and records your pace and the distance you’ve walked, jogged, or run.

The Apple 3GS iPhone is available in the 16GB model for around $199, or in the 32GB model for about $299. Search the internet for discount coupons to save money off the purchase price of a new 3GS iPhone.