LAHORE: Apple’s newly unveiled iPhone 17 series has sparked excitement among Pakistani tech enthusiasts, with local mobile retailers hinting that the latest models could arrive in the country as early as next week.
The iPhone 17 lineup was officially introduced on September 9, and according to several mobile shop owners in Lahore, their first limited stocks are expected to land in Pakistan by the night of September 19 or by September 20. These initial units are expected to be non-PTA approved, while PTA-approved models are likely to take a few more weeks to reach local mobile stores.
A Lahore-based mobile store, Cell Links, which has a prominent presence on social media, has confirmed that it is preparing to offer the new iPhones as soon as they are available. Other mobile retailers have echoed the same, revealing that their small initial batches are already on the way.
Pakistani fans eye slim iPhone 17 Air amid price rumours
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are drawing interest, the iPhone 17 Air is reportedly the most talked-about model among Pakistani Apple fans. Market watchers say it is being dubbed the slimmest iPhone ever made, and many enthusiasts are impatiently waiting for its arrival in local stores.
Price estimates circulating among retailers suggest the iPhone 17 Air could cost between Rs400,000 and Rs450,000 in Pakistan. If officially PTA approved, the price could go even higher, possibly crossing the Rs500,000 mark, similar to last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.
However, these figures are still based on speculation. The exact local pricing will only be confirmed once official distributors announce rates and local shops start selling the phones next week.
Early iPhone 17 stock to be limited and expensive in Pakistan
Due to the absence of official Apple stores in Pakistan, iPhones are typically imported by private shopkeepers or through distributors like Mercantile, who pay taxes and get the devices PTA approved. Non-PTA approved units are often sold first and tend to be priced higher because of their early availability.
Shop owners say the initial stock will be extremely limited, allowing them to set prices as they wish during the first few weeks. This trend has been seen almost every year with new iPhone launches in the country.
With no direct Apple stores operating in Pakistan, many buyers either rely on local shops that import iPhones from markets like the US, Dubai and the UK or ask relatives abroad to send the new models.
Those who choose to buy locally often face steep mark-ups in the first month following the launch.