ISLAMABAD: Local mobile phone assembly units and manufacturers in Pakistan produced 12.05 million devices during the first five months of 2025 (January to May), while commercial imports stood at just 0.76 million, according to new industry data.
A closer breakdown reveals that 5.52 million of the locally assembled phones were smartphones, while 6.53 million were 2G feature phones, indicating a steady — though still split — demand between basic and advanced mobile technology.
Infinix Leads Local Production
Among mobile brands, Infinix led the market with 1.34 million units assembled during the first 11 months of the current calendar year.
Despite these production figures, the overall trend since 2022 shows a decline in local mobile phone manufacturing, largely due to ongoing economic challenges and rising interest rates, which have limited investment and production capacity.
In 2021, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported 24.66 million locally manufactured devices. By 2023, this figure had dropped to 21.28 million, reflecting a 13.7% decline over two years.
Commercial Imports Plunge
The dip in commercial imports has been even more dramatic. In 2020, over 24.5 million phones were imported commercially. That number plummeted to just 1.58 million in 2023, primarily due to central bank-imposed import restrictions aimed at narrowing the trade deficit and reducing foreign currency outflows.
Smartphone Penetration on the Rise
Despite economic headwinds, the adoption of smartphones continues to grow rapidly in Pakistan. The share of smartphones on local networks has risen to 67% in 2025, up from 59% in 2023 and 56% in 2022, according to PTA data.
Meanwhile, the use of 2G feature phones has declined to 33%, compared to 41% in 2023 and 44% in 2022, indicating a clear transition toward internet-enabled devices as mobile broadband access expands across the country.
The shift in consumer behavior highlights rising digital inclusion, even as local production faces pressure from macroeconomic constraints.
