Pakistan’s mobile phone industry is preparing for the expected mid-year launch of 5G services, with manufacturers adjusting production plans to meet both future demand and present affordability concerns.
Companies are working on new 5G-ready devices while continuing to produce affordable 4G smartphones to ensure price-sensitive users are not left behind.
At present, 5G smartphones remain costly for many consumers. Entry-level 5G models start from around Rs70,000, putting them out of reach for a large section of the population. In contrast, 4G and LTE phones remain more budget-friendly, which explains why demand for these devices continues to remain strong.
Pakistan’s growing manufacturing base is expected to support the shift towards next-generation technology. The country now has more than 30 mobile phone assembly units producing nearly 30 million handsets annually. This capacity gives local manufacturers the ability to gradually increase 5G production without disrupting supply of cheaper devices.
Slow start expected
Industry experts believe the transition to 5G will take time. Zeeshan Mianoor, Chief Executive Officer of Inovi Telecom, said most major brands are technically prepared, but actual growth will depend on timely spectrum allocation, network rollout and consumer purchasing power. He noted that many phones already assembled in Pakistan support 5G bands, though most fall in higher price brackets starting around Rs75,000.
Early adoption is expected to begin in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, where network infrastructure is likely to arrive first. Wider use across the country may follow once users see clear improvements in speed and performance, and once cheaper 5G models enter the market.
Mianoor also explained that 5G cannot be enabled through software updates alone, as it requires specialised hardware. Because of this, companies plan to introduce new 5G models while continuing 4G production, adjusting output according to demand and network expansion.
Meanwhile, Mian Abdul Rehman, Chairman of the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association, said only a small share of manufacturers and consumers are likely to benefit in the early phase. He expects 5G smartphones to account for roughly one-fifth of total sales initially.
He added that 5G-enabled phones are expected to cost Rs5,000 to Rs15,000 more than comparable models, while in some cases the price gap could rise to between Rs20,000 and Rs30,000. This difference may slow mass adoption in the short term, even as the industry prepares for a gradual shift towards faster mobile connectivity.
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