Tag: smartphone imports

  • Indian-made iPhone 15 units expected to reach Pakistan soon

    Indian-made iPhone 15 units expected to reach Pakistan soon

    Apple is expected to release iPhone 15 units manufactured in India for sale in India and other countries. This means that we might also see these made in India iPhones in Pakistan, as Pakistani mobile sellers import iPhones from various countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong, and the US. While these Indian-made iPhones may not arrive in Pakistan directly from India, they are likely to become available as they enter international markets.

    Unfortunately, there are no official Apple stores in Pakistan, and there are limited authorised Apple product sellers. It remains uncertain how many iPhones made in India will be available in Pakistan in the future, but as Indian iPhone production increases, we can expect to see more of them.

    Although the majority of iPhone 15 units will still come from China, Apple’s efforts to scale production in India are making progress, reducing its reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Apple began assembling previous iPhone generations in India in 2017 and has been producing flagship iPhones there since 2020. The company aims to increase its production in India from 7 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025. However, there may still be some delays due to logistical challenges.

    Closing the production gap between China and India is crucial for Apple, as it provides a reliable manufacturing alternative and helps the company comply with India’s Make in India law to avoid steep tariffs. This move also aligns with Apple’s strategy to navigate geopolitical issues and local labour disputes.

    Given recent Chinese nationalism, which encourages the use of domestic brands like Huawei, this shift in production location is timely. Despite their high cost and the requirement for PTA approval in Pakistan, Apple iPhones remain popular among those who can afford them.

  • Will iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan surpass the price of a Hyundai SUV in India?

    Will iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan surpass the price of a Hyundai SUV in India?

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max with 256 GB of storage is initially priced at $1,100 in the United States, which, at the current exchange rate of Rs295, translates to approximately Rs325,000 in Pakistani rupee (PKR).

    However, it’s anticipated that the cost will significantly rise in Pakistan due to additional expenses like Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) approval and retailer margins.

    Given the precedent set by the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which currently retails for Rs540,000 in Pakistan, we expect the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be around Rs555,000 or possibly even higher once local mobile shop owners import and sell them.

    Apple iPhones generally have higher price tags in Pakistan due to taxes and PTA approval fees, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact cost.

    Nonetheless, it’s reasonable to assume it will exceed Rs500,000, considering that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is already priced above this threshold in Pakistan.

    Additionally, a Pakistani website called Phonebolee suggests an expected price of PKR 643,999 for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    In terms of comparisons to India, a report by DNA India highlights the astonishing prices of iPhones in Pakistan. It notes that the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, priced over Rs7.3 lakh in Pakistan, surpasses the cost of a Hyundai Exter 5-seater SUV, which is priced at INR 5.99 lakh in India.

    However, it’s important to be cautious about such comparisons, as they might not accurately reflect the actual market dynamics.

    Keep in mind that the exact price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan can vary among different retailers.

    Additionally, the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the Pakistani rupee is approximately 1 INR to PKR 3.56. So, when comparing the INR 600,000 price of an SUV, it equates to approximately Rs2,136,800, or Rs2.1 million in Pakistani rupees, which is significantly higher than the expected price of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

  • FBR report exposes $7.19 million illegal smartphone imports

    FBR report exposes $7.19 million illegal smartphone imports

    According to an official report from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), mobile phones worth $7.19 million have been imported into Pakistan illegally without opening letters of credit (LCs) or using the banking channel.

    The report also states that despite an unannounced ban by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on the import of mobile phones and their accessories, 52 Goods Declarations (GDs) worth $8.65m were cleared between December 2022 and February 2023.

    The mobile phones were imported in Completely Build Up (CBU) condition and only $1.46m was paid legally out of Pakistan through the banking channel. The remaining $7.19m was illegally transferred out of Pakistan. The FBR report does not provide details about the mode of payment made to suppliers in Dubai for the import of these mobile phones.

    The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has stated that manufacturers imported over 190,000 mobile phones in CBU condition under a facility allowed to them. However, despite restrictions set by the banking sector on imports, some companies are still reportedly importing mobile phones under their manufacturing license.

    The import of smartphones has increased, especially after at least 30 manufacturing units in Pakistan halted production due to import restrictions.