KDDI Corp. will begin selling the iPhone 5 in the first quarter of 2012 in Japan, according to “The Nikkei” (http://macte.ch/POIzZ).

The deal will allow the Japanese telecom firm to offer the latest version of the popular smartphone, ending Softbank’s exclusive deal with Apple in the country. “The Nikkei” says the iPhone 5 will be released worldwide in mid-October, and Softbank plans to sell the product as well. Of course, keep in mind that Apple hasn’t officially announced an iPhone 5 yet.

— Dennis Sellers