Pakistan’s locally assembled smartphones have taken over the market in 2026. According to data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, around 86% of mobile demand is now being met through local production.
In the first quarter of 2026, over 7.36 million phones were assembled locally. This shows steady growth and a strong shift away from imported devices.
Major brands like Samsung, Vivo, Infinix, Tecno, and OPPO are now assembling devices inside Pakistan. This has helped reduce reliance on imports.
However, despite this success, consumers are not seeing a major drop in smartphone prices. Industry experts say the expected “price advantage” is still missing.
One major reason is that most phones are not fully manufactured locally. Instead, they are assembled using imported parts like chips, memory, and displays. Over 90% of components still come from abroad.
Another key factor is rising global costs. Memory chips and processors have become more expensive due to high demand and supply shortages, directly increasing smartphone prices in Pakistan.
In addition, heavy taxes and duties such as PTA approval charges also increase the final price for consumers. Even used imported phones have seen higher valuation rates recently.
Experts say local assembly mainly saves foreign exchange rather than reducing retail prices. While it supports the economy, it does not automatically make phones cheaper.
The government is now working on new policies to increase true localization. Future plans include producing components within Pakistan to reduce dependence on imports.
Analysts believe that real price benefits will only appear when Pakistan moves from simple assembly to full manufacturing. Until then, smartphone prices may remain high despite local production growth.