ISLAMABAD: The buzz around the upcoming iPhone 17 is already heating up in Pakistan, even though the launch is still weeks away and the country doesn’t have an official Apple Store. Yet, that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of Apple fans who are eagerly waiting to get their hands on the next big thing in smartphones.
In fact, smartphone dealers in Pakistan have already started guessing sky-high prices for the latest models, driven by taxes, import duties, and PTA approval charges. The PTA-approved base model of the iPhone 17 is expected to start from around Rs400,000, while the premium iPhone 17 Pro Max could go for as much as Rs700,000.
Despite the cost, local vendors say there is a clear group of buyers who will grab the new models as soon as they become available, whether through official distributors like Mercantile or parallel imports.
When to expect Apple’s next flagship?
Globally, excitement is also building as tech insiders begin to piece together Apple’s launch timeline. Multiple reports point towards Tuesday, September 9 as the likely date for Apple’s big keynote event, with some suggesting a slightly earlier possibility of Wednesday, September 3. That earlier date is unusual, given that it falls immediately after the US Labor Day holiday, but it’s not entirely off the table.
Senior Editor Patrick Holland at CNET notes that while Apple usually holds its events on the first Tuesday after Labor Day, that would fall on September 2 this year. Since Apple may want to avoid the noise surrounding IFA, a major consumer electronics expo happening in Berlin that week, September 9 is once again looking like the more probable choice.
Alex Lee, a senior tech critic at The Independent, agrees. He expects the iPhone 17 to be unveiled between September 8 and 10, with pre-orders opening Friday, September 12, and phones hitting the shelves by September 19. According to Lee, the iPhone 17 could mark the biggest shift in Apple’s lineup in years, featuring significant camera upgrades and a new slim model, possibly named the iPhone 17 Air.
Delays possible for some iPhone 17 models
Adding more intrigue, Apple may not release all four expected models at the same time. Past trends show that the company has sometimes staggered releases.
For instance, the iPhone XR launched weeks after the XS in 2018, and the iPhone 12 mini arrived about a month after the iPhone 12. With at least three of the iPhone 17 models expected to feature new designs, delays for certain versions can’t be ruled out just yet.
Still, if Apple does stick to tradition and reveals the devices on September 9, then most reviews should appear in the press by September 16 or 17. The global release, including the opening of Apple’s online and physical stores, is widely expected to take place on Friday, September 19.
As always, Apple fans around the world will be able to add their chosen device, complete with colour and storage preferences, to their online shopping bag the night before sales go live, allowing them to quickly check out when the clock strikes. The actual time for ordering may vary by region, but it typically begins early morning Pacific Time.
In Pakistan, where the Apple experience is shaped mostly through third-party retailers and tech importers, fans remain hopeful for a smooth rollout. Many are already saving up or making pre-arrangements with dealers in anticipation of the new iPhones hitting local markets.
Whether Apple’s next flagship arrives on September 9 or a little later, one thing is certain, the excitement in Pakistan is real, and the high price tag is unlikely to stop the most dedicated fans.
Read next: Here are the prices of OPPO’s newly launched Reno14 smartphones in Pakistan