Smartphone Prices Surge Sharply in Pakistan, Putting Devices Beyond Reach of Ordinary Consumers

ISLAMABAD: A sharp increase in smartphone prices across Pakistan has placed an additional burden on consumers, making mobile phones increasingly unaffordable for ordinary citizens, particularly those belonging to lower- and middle-income groups.

According to a market survey, the price of a basic smartphone featuring 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which stood at around Rs22,000 just a few months ago, has now climbed to nearly Rs40,000.

Mobile phone dealers and manufacturers have clarified that the increase is not attributable to government taxes but rather to the rising global cost of memory chips, including RAM and ROM components used in smartphones.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has significantly increased demand for memory chips worldwide. AI companies are purchasing these components at substantially higher prices, directly affecting manufacturing costs across the smartphone industry.

As a result, manufacturers are facing higher production expenses, which are being reflected in retail prices.

Sales Decline as Prices Nearly Double

Mobile phone dealers said the sharp increase in prices has led to a considerable decline in sales, as many consumers can no longer afford devices that were previously within their budgets.

The nearly twofold increase in the cost of basic smartphones has particularly affected lower- and middle-income households, for whom mobile phones have become an essential part of daily life.

Smartphones are increasingly necessary for communication, education, online banking, digital payments and access to government services. However, rising prices are making it difficult for many people to purchase or replace their devices.

Consumers Urge Government to Intervene

Concerned consumers have called on the government to take immediate measures to keep basic smartphones affordable and accessible to ordinary citizens.

They stressed that smartphones should remain within the reach of the general public, given their growing importance in everyday activities and access to digital services.

The continued rise in global memory chip costs could put further pressure on smartphone prices, potentially worsening affordability challenges for consumers across Pakistan.