NEW YORK: High-end devices such as Apple iPhones are heavily taxed, with taxes for the latest iPhone 16 starting at over 1 lac and extending to Rs170k.
PTA, Pakistan‘s telecom authority, laid down aggressive taxation in previous years, creating a spike in smartphone pricing and making it difficult for many consumers to afford one.
The governments‘ reasons are to regulate imports and offer the local industries protection, but experts point out this could slow smartphone adoption and deteriorate the tech marketplace.
iPhone 16 also remains among the most expensive devices in Pakistan, but there has been some minor positive news as recent local distributors have made some adjustments to their pricing, relieving some of the pressure on consumers.
The taxation for the Apple iPhone 16 is also different if the device owner obtained their device with a passport or a local ID.
| Models | Tax on Passport | Tax on ID Card |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | Rs107,000 | 130,500 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | Rs113,000 | 137,000 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | Rs135,500 | 161,500 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | Rs148,500 | 176,000 |
| Models | PTA Tax on Passport | PTA Tax on CNIC |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 148,500 | 176,000 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 135,300 | 161,480 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 113,075 | 137,033 |
| iPhone 15 | 107,325 | 130,708 |
Despite the price reductions, iPhones in Pakistan are still comparatively expensive vs. the global market. The new prices are less than before, and with the reduction in taxes, have made new Apple smartphones more affordable for the tech–loving public in Pakistan.
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