Apple iPhone 17 prices to drop further in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Shop owners and mobile dealers in Pakistan have begun importing the iPhone 17, and the latest Apple lineup is gradually appearing in local markets.

The quick arrival has surprised many, as the phones reached shops earlier than expected. Initially, there were reports that prices would remain extremely high during the first month of launch, but dealers now claim rates are showing signs of easing.

Mobile shop owners in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, who import new iPhones every year, are suggesting that the prices of non-PTA iPhone 17 units will ease further once companies such as Mercantile, GNEXT and Airlink begin offering PTA-approved models.

Prices were very high between September 19 and September 22, but as more units are arriving in the market, shopkeepers appear to have reduced overcharging slightly for now.

At present, most of the available stock comprises non-PTA approved iPhone 17 units, and these are only found at select outlets. So far, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are the main models seen in the market.

Current prices of non-PTA iPhone 17 models

The non-PTA iPhone 17 Pro (256GB, one physical SIM + one eSIM) is selling at Rs460,500, while the dual eSIM variant is available at Rs411,000.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs480,000, but dealers holding the Orange colour variant are demanding higher prices, citing high demand.

However, shop owners expect the price to fall by up to Rs80,000 in the coming weeks. Haris Ali, an Apple reseller, predicted that the non-PTA iPhone 17 Pro Max could drop to as low as Rs380,000 within two months.

The non-PTA iPhone 17 Air (dual eSIM) has been spotted at some shops at around Rs395,500, though only limited stock has arrived.

iPhone 17 PTA approval charges

Non-PTA iPhones in Pakistan can only operate on local SIM cards for 60 days. After this period, users must pay PTA approval charges to continue using the device with a SIM. For the iPhone 17 series, the estimated PTA approval charges differ depending on the model and whether the registration is done using a CNIC or a passport.

The iPhone 17 approval costs around Rs154,293 on CNIC and Rs128,766 on passport, while the iPhone 17 Air is priced at Rs175,000 on CNIC and Rs151,322 on passport.

The iPhone 17 Pro approval costs Rs210,317 on CNIC and Rs172,800 on passport, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro Max carries charges of Rs213,700 on CNIC and Rs182,700 on passport.

Dealers in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi believe both handset prices and PTA approval charges may ease further in the coming days.

JV iPhone 17 units yet to arrive

Carrier-locked iPhones, commonly known as JV or sim locked units, have not yet reached the Pakistani market. However, dealers expect JV versions of the iPhone 17 series to become available soon.

Official PTA-approved iPhone 17 stock expected

As Apple has no official presence in Pakistan, iPhones are imported through distributors. Mercantile, one of the leading distributors of Apple products in the country, has indicated that PTA-approved iPhone 17 series devices will arrive in the coming weeks.