Mobile Phone Production Plunges 34%
- Islamabad - Pakistan's mobile phone market is increasingly dominated by locally manufactured devices, though imports continue to play a role, especially for specific brands adn models.
- As of the latest data, smartphones comprise 53% of mobile phone sales in Pakistan, equating to a ample portion of the market.
- The Pakistani government's push for local manufacturing has yielded extraordinary results.
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Pakistan’s Mobile Phone Market: Local Manufacturing Dominates, Imports Remain Meaningful
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Islamabad – Pakistan’s mobile phone market is increasingly dominated by locally manufactured devices, though imports continue to play a role, especially for specific brands adn models. data from the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association (PMPMA) reveals a significant shift in the industry landscape.
Smartphone vs. Feature Phone Sales
As of the latest data, smartphones comprise 53% of mobile phone sales in Pakistan, equating to a ample portion of the market. Feature phones still hold a significant 47% share, representing 11.9 million units sold. This indicates continued demand for affordable and basic mobile interaction devices, particularly in rural areas or among users with limited digital literacy.
Local Manufacturing Surge
The Pakistani government’s push for local manufacturing has yielded extraordinary results. Currently, over 97% of mobile phones sold within the country are produced domestically. this represents a significant increase in local industrial capacity and a reduction in reliance on imports. During the first ten months of 2025 (January-October), a total of 675,177 phones were imported by both commercial importers and individuals returning from abroad.
Import Trends: iPhones and Nokia Lead
Despite the dominance of local manufacturing, imports remain notable. The highest number of imported sets during January-October 2025 belonged to Apple iPhones, with 238,712 units. Nokia feature phones followed closely behind,with 208,940 units imported. In 2024, a total of 154,836 iPhones were imported.
A senior member of the PMPMA noted that iPhones are often viewed as status symbols, with many consumers opting for older models. However, newer iPhone models are frequently purchased as gifts. This gifting trend contributes to the continued demand for imported iPhones despite their higher price point.
Local Production Leaders
In 2024, locally assembled phones reached 32.80 million units, while imports totaled only 792,208 sets. During January-October 2025, Infinix emerged as the highest-selling locally produced phone brand, with a rollout of 2.90 million units. Other leading local manufacturers include:
- Vgotel: 2.74 million units
- Vivo: 2.36 million units
- Itel: 2.13 million units
- Tecno: 1.49 million units
- Xiaomi: 1.42 million units
- Samsung: 1.32 million units
Gfive is the largest producer of feature phones in Pakistan, manufacturing 1.17 million units during the first ten months of 2025.