Lahore (Flare Report): Pakistan witnessed a massive surge in mobile phone imports during September, with leading distributors bringing in smartphones worth nearly Rs. 4.8 billion. The numbers highlight the country’s strong demand for mobile devices despite ongoing economic challenges and strict import policies.
Leading Smartphone Brands in Pakistan
According to official import data, five brands dominated Pakistan’s smartphone market during the month:
Vivo – Rs. 489.7 million (17% share)
Tecno – Rs. 295.9 million
Infinix – Rs. 303.9 million
Oppo – Rs. 170.5 million
Realme – Rs. 194.3 million
Together, these brands represented over 55% of total mobile imports. Vivo remained the leader with the highest declared import value.
Apple and Samsung Shipments
Around 2,700 Apple iPhones were officially imported into Pakistan in September 2025, with a declared value of Rs. 23.9 million. However, the volume of Apple imports remains low compared to Asian brands. Market experts note that a large number of iPhones still enter the country through gray channels and are later registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after payment of duties and taxes.
Meanwhile, Samsung shipments were valued at Rs. 449 million, with Lucky Motor Corporation — Samsung’s official distributor — topping the list of importers. This made up about 15% of the total import value.
Major Importers
Prominent importers included:
Air Link Communication Ltd
Inovi Telecom
Exert Tech Pvt. Ltd.
Transsion Tecno Electronics
Coastal Jade Technology
Lucky Motor Corporation
These companies continue to play a central role in meeting Pakistan’s rising demand for smartphones.
Rising Smartphone Usage in Pakistan
Telecom experts noted that smartphone adoption is rapidly increasing in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, fueled by the rise of:
Social media platforms
E-commerce
Online banking and fintech apps
Millions of new and used devices are connecting to local networks every month, generating significant tax revenues for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through sales tax, income tax, and excise duty.
Call for Government Support
While the import surge highlights Pakistan’s strong mobile demand, experts warn that without government support for local manufacturing and assembly, this growth may not be sustainable. They urge policymakers to focus on:
Supporting local smartphone assembly plants
Facilitating digital trade
Introducing transparent and long-term import regulations
Conclusion
Pakistan’s mobile market continues to grow rapidly, dominated by foreign brands such as Vivo, Tecno, Infinix, Oppo, Realme, Samsung, and Apple. With imports worth billions, the sector shows no signs of slowing down. However, for sustainable growth, experts believe the government must encourage local production and strengthen digital infrastructure.
