Sprint may be a tad late in coming to the Windows Phone 8 (WP8) party, but the U.S. carrier has just revealed that it has partnered with Microsoft and will be offering the devices in 2013.

Initially, when the WP8 devices were announced, only three of the four major U.S. network operators - Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T - were to offer the Nokia, Samsung, and HTC phones this year. However, now, per a PC Mag report, the carrier has confirmed to the Web site that it will also be offering WP8 devices but sometime next year.

"Sprint and Microsoft are partnering to bring Windows Phone 8 to Sprint's customers - operating on its 4G LTE network - next year," the carrier told PC Mag in an e-mailed statement.

In the past, Sprint has offered Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 handsets, the HTC Arrive. The carrier has had mixed fortunes with the Windows Phone with sales of the HTC Arrive being uninspiring. David Owens, Sprint's director of consumer acquisition, had noted in January that "We have a Windows device in our lineup, but honestly, it hasn't done well enough for us to jump back into the fire. We told Microsoft: You guys have to go build the enthusiasm for the product. We'll train our reps on why it's great...[but] the number-one reason the product was returned was the user experience."

However, in May this year, Owens changed tune and averred that he was "bullish" on Windows Phone 8. However, judging by Sprint's late entrance to WP8, it seems that the carrier was not that "bullish" when it came to offering the same for the 2012 holiday season.

By contrast, AT&T is carrying the Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 820, and HTC 8X. Verizon intends to offer three WP8 handsets as well i.e. HTC 8X, Lumia 820, and Samsung ATIV Odyssey. T-Mobile will be offering the HTC 8X and Lumia 810, which makes Sprint the only major U.S. carrier that is not offering WP8 handsets this holiday season.

Per reports, U.S. Cellular too will be offering WP8 handsets and the HTC 8S is expected to be its launch phone.

Sprint may not have Windows Phone 8 in its holiday line-up, it has a decent portfolio of devices on offer which include the Galaxy Note 2, iPhone 5, and LG's Optimus G.

Even though Sprint is missing out on lucrative business due to the holiday season traffic, as the adage goes "better late than never."