A new version of Apple Inc.'s iPhone hit store shelves Friday after hundreds of people had lined up at retail outlets, including the company's flagship store in Tokyo, hours before the release.
It is the first time in about a year that Apple has released a new model. The iPhone 5 is being sold in Japan by KDDI Corp. and Softbank Mobile Corp., which have been taking advantage of the smartphone to boost subscriptions.
The iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter and has a larger screen and longer battery life than its predecessors, according to Apple. The new handset was also launched in other countries, including the United States, where orders exceeded more than 2 million units in the first 24 hours, according to Apple.