Iphone 16 Failed to Make a Mark on Pakistani Market like Predecessors: Here’s Why

The primary reason for the underperformance of Apple’s newly launched iPhone 16 in Pakistan, compared to earlier models, is its high price, not much changes from iPhone 15 and delayed Apple Intelligence.

Impact of Imported iPhones

Although Apple does not have an official shop in Pakistan and does not sell its products directly, some local retailers and companies import Apple devices and sell them in markets and online.

This causes a large disparity in pricing every time Apple introduces a new iPhone model; for example, the Pakistani price is far more than Apple’s global pricing. One big reason is that Pakistani users have to pay PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) fees to get their phones approved so they can use SIM cards. The most recent models can incur approval fees of up to Rs190,000.

Declining Sales of iPhone 16

An iPhone retailer at Singapore Plaza, Rawalpindi, who gets new iPhones every year, said that the 16th generation isn’t selling as well as the ones before it. 

When asked about the price difference, a store owner said that it’s hard to bring iPhones into the country. Compared to Apple’s initial pricing, importers’ costs for these high-end items are substantially greater due to the major hurdles they must overcome and the large taxes they must pay.

Customers who were looking for affordable flagship phones are no longer interested in JV iPhones, even though they are less expensive than non-PTA authorized iPhones. The sales of the iPhone 16 JV versions are significantly lower than those of the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13 JV models, according to a mobile vendor at Singapore Plaza, Saddar, Rawalpindi.

In Pakistan, you may get an iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) with PTA approval for about Rs540,500, an unapproved one for about Rs420,000, and a JV version for as little as Rs280,000.

Many customers are staying away from the JV models this year, even though there is a huge price difference between them. This might be a reflection of the prohibitive cost of the iPhone 16 JV models or a sign of the widespread disapproval of JV iPhones, which are technically illegal.

Older JV models, such as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, are still being considered by consumers, according to certain mobile vendors, because they are less expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is currently available from JV iPhone vendors for as little as Rs215,000, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max JV is going for Rs180,000.

Risks Associated with JV iPhones

It appears that customers are beginning to doubt the idea of shelling out roughly Rs300,000 for an unauthorized phone that is unable to function with a SIM card and could perhaps be blacklisted by Apple due to its exorbitant pricing.

Due to being “factory locked” or banned by the original phone manufacturer, JV phones are less expensive. It is believed that these phones were acquired through theft or unpaid installments, which is why JV or Gevey phones are deemed unlawful.

The authorities allegedly intended to crack down on JV phones over a year ago, but they haven’t done anything yet. Many shopkeepers are still peddling JV iPhones in stores and on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and OLX.

Due to these risks, it is not a good idea to buy JV iPhones. Instead of taking a chance on a joint venture purchase, it’s wise to go for PTA-approved and duty-paid handsets if you can afford them, or look into earlier iPhone models.

December 2024 Price List for iPhone 16 Models

The most recent pricing information for iPhone 16 models approved by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in Pakistan: