{
  "id": 16570931,
  "title": "Smartphone Prices Jump by Up to Rs. 30,000 in Pakistan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/smartphone-prices-jump-by-up-to-rs-30-000-in-pakistan",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-26T07:08:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/26/smartphone-prices-jump-by-up-to-rs-30000-in-pakistan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Smartphone prices have surged dramatically in Karachi, with leading brands hiking handset prices by Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000, making even entry-level devices harder for low- and middle-income residents to afford. According to Dawn, a 4GB RAM and 64GB storage basic smartphone, once priced at approximately Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 22,000, now ranges from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000 in multiple markets. This price hike has compelled many consumers to opt for second-hand or refurbished devices, while dealers report a decline in sales and uncertainty due to fluctuating prices and supply constraints.\n\nMuhammad Rizwan Irfan, president of the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association, noted that the price surge is mainly due to increased costs of chips rather than substantial tax hikes. Mian Abdul Rehman, a representative from the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association, pointed to the soaring prices of RAM and ROM components as the primary driver, fueled by escalating demand from artificial intelligence companies. He explained that the burgeoning AI sector, robotics, and data centers have significantly boosted memory component demand, outpacing production capacity. AI firms' purchases of memory components at higher prices have left smartphone manufacturers struggling to cover the added expenses, leading to elevated retail prices.\n\nDealers in Karachi have observed a considerable impact on sales, especially in the budget segment, where customers are particularly price-sensitive. Reports from markets in Saddar, Buffer Zone, and North Karachi indicate difficulties in finding affordable smartphones capable of running essential applications. A device previously sold for Rs. 22,000 to Rs. 23,000 suddenly jumped to around Rs. 30,000 in August, and the price has risen further to Rs. 40,000 in October. Consumers have called on the government to implement measures to maintain affordability of basic smartphones, emphasizing the critical role of mobile devices in digital banking, education, transportation, government services, and communication. Some consumers have proposed alliances between the government and manufacturers to offer low-cost smartphones, while others have resorted to purchasing used handsets or basic keypad phones.",
  "summary": "Smartphone prices have increased sharply in Karachi, with major brands raising handset prices by Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000, making … Read More The post Smartphone Prices Jump by Up to Rs. 30,000 in Pakistan appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}