Verizon just announced it will start offering the new Samsung Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone in May, but did not provide a specific release date.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes as the successor of the hugely popular Galaxy S3 smartphone, and its arrival sparked countless rumors and speculation. Amid all the anticipation, Samsung finally offered some details about the handset's availability in the U.S., announcing that the Galaxy S4 will be available from seven carrier networks and seven retailers.

As Verizon is notorious for its rigorous testing before offering a device, it's no great surprise that Big Red will get it later than other carriers. Although it did not offer a specific release date for the new Galaxy flagship, Verizon did announce via Twitter it will start offering it in May and offered a picture of a Verizon-branded Galaxy S4, promising to provide more details "soon." Verizon's announcement follows AT&T's news that it will start taking pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S4 and ship the handsets on April 30.

Other than the vague May release date, Verizon's plans remain shrouded in mystery. The carrier did not only fail to mention an exact launch date, but it also provided no details on how much the handset will cost. The Big Red recently announced its Device Payment Plan, which will take effect on April 21, but it's not certain at this point whether the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be part of this new plan. The carrier said a select few phones will be available for the payment plan, but did not mention any phones in particular.

U.S. Cellular, meanwhile, started taking pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S4 a few days ago, on April 16. T-Mobile said it will make the smartphone available "about May 1." For AT&T, meanwhile, users can pre-order the Galaxy S4 on the carrier's website. Shipping is set to commence on April 30, which is likely when the handset will hit store shelves as well. In terms of pricing, potential buyers can get the 16GB model for $199 and a contract-free Samsung Galaxy S4 for $639.

Verizon said it will offer more details about the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch soon, so stay tuned.