iPhone 17 price in Pakistan: what to expect

ISLAMABAD: Apple’s newest flagship, the iPhone 17, has officially launched this week and the buzz surrounding it is growing louder with each passing day. While the new iPhone is drawing massive attention worldwide, its hype is just as intense in Pakistan.

Even though Apple has no official retail store in the country, social media platforms are overflowing with conversations about the iPhone 17’s sleek design, powerful features and noticeable upgrades. Yet, amid all the excitement, one question dominates every discussion: how much will it actually cost in Pakistan?

Early prices touch the sky

For now, those hoping to get their hands on the iPhone 17 immediately may have to pay an eye-watering price. Several local retailers who privately import iPhones and sell them online are reportedly demanding as much as Rs800,000 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially for buyers who want the device delivered as early as next week.

This is not unusual. Every year, these early sellers charge hefty premiums during the first few weeks after a launch, taking advantage of the limited initial supply. Only a handful of retailers manage to secure the latest iPhones during the first days, which allows them to push prices up sharply.

Dealers in mobile markets across Pakistan are currently avoiding giving a confirmed figure for the official price of the PTA-approved iPhone 17 series. However, most believe the starting price for the base model is likely to be around Rs380,000 once it arrives through official channels. For anyone unwilling to wait and hoping to buy it within September, prices are expected to be much higher due to extremely limited availability.

Some mobile dealers have suggested that the non-PTA version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB storage could reach as high as Rs750,000 during these initial weeks.

Retailers expect prices to settle slowly

A shopkeeper from a well-known mobile market, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the current inflated prices are temporary. He explained that the same trend occurs every year, and that it usually takes at least a month before iPhone prices begin to settle.

According to him, once major distributors like Mercantile receive sufficient stock of PTA-approved iPhone 17 units, prices will gradually become more stable. Until then, early buyers should expect to pay steep premiums. He also noted that proper and ample stock availability in Pakistan always takes time, which has been the case with every iPhone launch in recent years.

Video Wali Sarkar predicts high initial prices

Popular Pakistani tech YouTuber Bilal Munir, known as Video Wali Sarkar, has also shared his views on the iPhone 17’s pricing. In his recent video, he predicted that the iPhone 17 will be much more expensive during its first week of official availability, but prices will ease over time as supply improves.

Bilal said that once the market stabilises, the iPhone 17 base model could start from around Rs360,000 while the iPhone 17 Pro Max could begin from about Rs500,000 for PTA-approved versions. He pointed out that last year, official distributors listed the iPhone 16 Pro Max at up to Rs540,500, so it would not be surprising if the iPhone 17 Pro Max also launched with a starting price around Rs540,000 or even Rs550,000.

Early prices for the iPhone 17 base model may also reach as high as Rs390,000 during the first few weeks before they begin to decline gradually.

The iPhone 17 Air is also expected to be priced close to the Pro Max models, likely above Rs450,000 for the PTA-approved version.

To give an idea of how much the iPhone 17 PTA-approved price might be once stock becomes available, here is a screenshot showing the prices of all iPhone 16 models in November 2024, after their global launch and once prices had somewhat stabilised in the Pakistani market.

PTA-approved, non-PTA and JV models

One key factor that affects pricing in Pakistan is PTA approval. This official registration is mandatory to use a SIM card in any phone, including iPhones. PTA-approved phones are generally much more expensive because of the taxes involved.

However, a growing number of buyers in Pakistan are now choosing non-PTA iPhones, which are cheaper but cannot use local SIM cards unless registered. Many users are opting for these devices because they rely mainly on internet-based communication apps like WhatsApp instead of traditional SIM calling.

There are also JV or SIM-locked iPhones, which are the cheapest option available but are technically not allowed to be sold in the country. Despite government restrictions, these smartphone still appear in markets. A shopkeeper at Singapore Plaza in Islamabad said that JV iPhone 17 models are expected to appear again this year because of high demand.

He explained that many budget-conscious customers who cannot afford PTA-approved or even non-PTA models often buy these JV devices. To give an idea of the price difference, if a PTA-approved iPhone costs around Rs430,000, the same model in non-PTA form might cost Rs300,000, while a JV or SIM-locked version could be as low as Rs185,000.

Prices vary widely depending on the model, storage capacity and colour options, but the gap between PTA-approved and JV models remains massive.

Buyers weigh patience against premium

For now, anyone planning to buy the iPhone 17 in Pakistan has two clear choices. They can pay an early premium and get the phone within days of its global launch, or they can wait for a month or more until prices cool down as stock becomes widely available.

While excitement for the iPhone 17 is at an all-time high, most experts and shopkeepers agree that patience might save buyers a significant amount of money.