ISLAMABAD, September 28, 2026: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have officially reached the Pakistani market, giving buyers the option of purchasing PTA-approved devices through authorised distribution channels as well as imported sets available from other sellers.
Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, with global availability beginning September 18. The Pro lineup starts at $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, with 256GB storage as the entry-level configuration.
iPhone 18 Pro Price in Pakistan
Following the official Pakistani launch, reports citing Mercantile, an Apple authorised distributor, put the official PTA-approved price of the iPhone 18 Pro at around Rs565,000, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at around Rs605,000. These official sets are already PTA approved, meaning buyers do not need to pay a separate PTA registration tax on top of the listed price.
Prices for higher-storage variants are considerably higher. Current authorised-distributor listings indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro Max 512GB is around Rs689,000, while the 1TB and 2TB versions are around Rs859,000 and Rs1.114 million respectively. Retail prices can vary slightly between authorised sellers.
Estimated PTA Tax for Imported iPhone 18 Pro
For buyers bringing an iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max into Pakistan from abroad, separate PTA registration charges apply before the device can continue to operate on local cellular networks.
Currently circulating estimates put the iPhone 18 Pro PTA tax at approximately Rs204,954 on a passport and Rs225,449 on a CNIC. For the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the estimates are approximately Rs209,040 on a passport and Rs229,600 on a CNIC.
These figures should not be treated as fixed government rates. The final amount is generated through the DIRBS process against the device’s IMEI and can depend on applicable customs valuation, taxes, duties and the exchange rate at the time of registration. Recent analysis also notes that the exact FBR valuation for the new iPhone 18 range may affect the final amount.
PTA Registration and DIRBS
Imported mobile phones need to be registered through Pakistan’s Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) to remain active on local cellular networks after the applicable period.
Consumers purchasing an imported iPhone should therefore check its IMEI and obtain the current payable amount through the official registration process before making a purchase. A phone that has not been registered can eventually lose access to Pakistani cellular networks, although its Wi-Fi functions can continue to work.
For buyers choosing an officially distributed PTA-approved iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max, the registration requirement is already covered by the approved device.
What Should Buyers Check?
Consumers should distinguish between an official PTA-approved retail price and the price of an imported non-PTA device. A cheaper imported handset may require a substantial additional payment for registration.
Buyers should also verify the IMEI, PTA status, warranty and seller credentials before purchasing, particularly when comparing prices between official retailers and the wider market.
With the iPhone 18 Pro now officially available in Pakistan, the final cost for consumers will depend on whether they choose an officially PTA-approved set or an imported device requiring separate registration.