By Keerthi Chandrashekar (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Nov 21, 2012 09:42 AM EST

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is one of the hottest smartphones around, recently passing the three million sales mark. The Galaxy Note 2 is launching through five carriers here in the United States, and four of them already have the unit out on shelves. The only carrier that still hasn't released the Galaxy Note 2 also happens to be the nation's largest - Verizon - but the good news is that the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 launch is coming next week. 

Verizon is currently accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 2 online, pricing the handset at $299.99 with a two-year contract. The Verizon online store lists a ship date of November 27, and most reports are expecting the Galaxy Note 2 to be available in brick and mortar stores by November 29 at the latest. 

Website DroidLife recently reported that demo units of the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 were already making appearances at Best Buys, indicating the phablet should be releasing soon. The pictures from the report also confirmed the ugly Verizon logo stamped on the Galaxy Note 2's home button. 

One reason that Verizon is taking so long to release the Galaxy Note 2 is because the carrier just doesn't seem that interested in the handset. The Verizon Wireless homepage makes no mention of the ongoing Galaxy Note 2 pre-order, and instead advertises the HTC Droid DNA, Windows phones, and of course, the iPhone 5.

The HTC Droid DNA is a 5-inch smartphone that Verizon seems to prefer over the 5.55-inch Galaxy Note 2, probably because it is a Verizon exclusive. Verizon's marketing efforts seem more geared to its HTC partnership than its non-exclusive Samsung partnership. More likely than not, Verizon wants customers to snatch up the Droid DNA this Black Friday weekend rather than a Galaxy Note 2.

Either way, the powerful Galaxy Note 2 will be available for Verizon customers to purchase by the end of next week, and Verizon customers can rest easy knowing this phablet is powerful and innovative enough to be worth the wait.