iPhone 5 Nano SIM card photographed in Europe

Well, what do you know: wireless carriers have Nano SIM cards in stock – Nano SIM cards meant to be used with the "latest generation of smartphones that come in the near future on the market." Can you think of a smartphone that is likely to be the first one to use a Nano SIM card? That's right – the upcoming iPhone 5 (or the new iPhone, whatever you call it), which is expected to be unveiled on September 12. 

The photo that you see below was taken in Germany and obtained by the Apple-dedicated fan site iFun. What's on the left is the actual Nano SIM card in its holder while a Micro SIM card has been placed on the right for comparison's sake. Note that carriers are not being told specifically that the new SIM cards are intended to be used with the next iPhone iteration. Instead, they will soon be given further instructions as to what to do with them.

And yes, that does look like a T-Mobile logo, but it is actually the Deutsche Telekom insignia. That said, don't interpret this as a hint that the fourth largest carrier in the U.S. will be getting the new iPhone. Quite the opposite, T-Mobile is instructing its staff to sell against Apple's smartphone.

As we mentioned above, Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 5 in about a week – bigger, faster, loaded with features, and powered by iOS 6. Stay tuned for our iPhone coverage for we will be delivering the goods as the event unfolds.

source: iFun via 9to5Mac