LAHORE: As the iPhone 16 series officially hits international markets today, distributors of Apple products and local mobile store owners in Pakistan have already begun taking advance or additional payments from buyers, demanding hefty booking amounts from those interested in the new iPhone 16 models.
Every model in the iPhone 16 series has garnered attention, but, as is the case every year, the majority of people in Pakistan have shown the most interest in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Many are eager to know its price.
Speaking to shop owners and importers, who are promising to deliver the iPhone 16 Pro Max by September 21 or before October, it has been revealed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB model is being priced as high as Rs800,000.
As of now, no official price has been set by the retailers. Importers of the highly anticipated Apple device are selling it at their own rates due to the absence of an official Apple store in Pakistan. This situation allows smaller retailers to charge as much profit as they desire, particularly in the period immediately following the launch.
Additionally, some market insiders have reported the prevalence of an “on” culture, where Pakistani shopkeepers are charging extra on iPhone 16 models ahead of their official availability. This “on” payment is being demanded from those who wish to get their hands on the iPhone 16 as soon as possible.
According to an importer, the “on” amount depends on how early the buyer wants delivery. For instance, an iPhone 16 Pro Max has already been sold in Lahore for Rs900,000, well ahead of its official availability.
Who received the first iPhone 16 Pro Max in Pakistan?
In related news, a viral video on Instagram shows Yasir Shami claiming to be the first person in Pakistan to receive the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In the video, he states, “This is so far the first iPhone 16 Pro Max to be delivered in Pakistan.”
However, it cannot be confirmed whether this was truly the first iPhone 16 Pro Max to arrive in the country.
Nevertheless, given the prices being demanded by local shop owners—up to Rs900,000—it is likely that if Yasir Shami has indeed acquired the first iPhone 16 Pro Max, it would have come at a significant cost.
iPhone 16 Pro Max’s price in Pakistan
It is anticipated that once the iPhone 16 Pro Max is officially launched globally and availability increases in the coming months, prices will begin to drop in Pakistan.
For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) is still being sold in Pakistan for Rs479,000, so it is expected that the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s price will come closer to or slightly above Rs580,000 as availability increases.
Expected reduction in iPhone 16 price
Some market analysts predict that the price of a PTA-approved iPhone 16 Pro Max may drop to as low as Rs550,000 by December 2024 or January 2025. The current trend of excessive “on” payments and overpricing could ease or come to an end within the first three months of 2025.
Will Pakistani markets see iPhone 16 JV models?
There remains a significant market for JV iPhones in Pakistan, as people who cannot afford PTA-approved or non-PTA-approved iPhones often opt for JV models, which are much cheaper.
For those unaware, in Pakistan, the ‘box packed’ PTA-approved iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced at Rs479,000, the non-PTA-approved iPhone 15 Pro Max is available in the market for Rs320,000, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max JV is easily available for as low as Rs215,000.
This massive price difference is the reason people have started opting for JV iPhones. Interestingly, JV users are now waiting for the iPhone 16 JV models and are asking JV iPhone sellers about its availability.
This year, it is expected that the Pakistani market will once again see an influx of JV iPhone 16 models, as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not yet taken action against the CPID or JV iPhones. Market insiders believe that the latest JV iPhone 16 models will soon appear in local markets, imported by those dealing in country-locked and blacklisted phones.
Although JV iPhones may seem like an affordable option, especially for those looking to save money while still enjoying the features of the latest Apple flagship, it is highly discouraged to purchase them.
Many JV iPhones are blacklisted or later blocked by the network companies from which they were originally bought. Furthermore, the majority of JV iPhones cannot be factory unlocked or PTA-approved once they are blocked by Apple or the network carrier due to incomplete payments.
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