UPDATE: Samsung has confirmed a December release.

For Android-happy folks in the United States, it probably feels like their Ice Cream Sandwich is melting. Last Thursday, the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched in the UK (exclusively at retailer Phones4u), and patient customers stateside have let to even receive official word on when they will be able to get their hands on the device.

In lieu of any official declarations on the U.S. release date, we have some leaked screenshots courtesy of Droid Life that suggest folks might have to wait until December 8th to buy the new Google phone.

The first image states that the “Samsung Nexus is now scheduled to launch in all locations on Thursday, 12/8.” From this, we also learn that accessories for the device have begun to ship to stores.

Another screencap also shows the national launch date for the Galaxy Nexus as being set for December 8th.

As no word has yet to come from Samsung or Verizon regarding the U.S. release, the hopes of a Black Friday launch like previously suggested are looking a bit slim. A December 8th release would at least put the device in the middle of holiday shopping season, if not the biggest shopping weekend known to man.

If the date does in fact wind up being December 8th, that’s probably going to annoy at least some people who have been waiting for the Galaxy Nexus since it was announced back in October.

Apparently, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the folks across the pond. Apparently, the Galaxy Nexus has fallen victim the the launch jitters. Users are reporting a sort of “phantom volume” bug that is turning the phone’s volume up and down on its own. According to the reports, the bug has caused the Euro carrier Vodafone to delay its launch of the smartphone.

Are you still holding out for a Galaxy Nexus? Has any other recent smartphone release caught your eye? Let us know how you feel in the comments.