With less than a month left until Apple’s expected iPhone 18 launch, excitement is building among fans eager to see what the tech giant has planned for its next flagship smartphone. While rumours surrounding the design and hardware continue to dominate online discussions, one question is already worrying potential buyers in Pakistan: just how expensive will the new iPhone 18 be?
If previous launches are any indication, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could become the most expensive smartphone available in Pakistan, with early estimates suggesting the top-end model may cost as much as Rs10 lakh during its initial weeks on sale.
Unlike many countries, Apple does not operate an official retail store in Pakistan. Instead, iPhones are sold through companies that market themselves as authorised Apple resellers or distributors. As a result, Pakistani consumers pay far more than the official US retail price once import duties, taxes, PTA approval charges and retailer mark-ups are added.
The price gap is already evident with the current generation. In the United States, the iPhone 17 Pro Max 1TB is priced at around $1,600, equivalent to roughly Rs444,645. However, the same model is selling in Pakistan for around Rs703,000.
The difference becomes even more striking with the 2TB variant. While it carries a US price tag of $2,000, or approximately Rs556,000, it continues to retail for nearly Rs870,000 in Pakistan months after its launch.
Industry insiders expect the same pattern to repeat with the iPhone 18 series.
Why the iPhone 18 Pro launch price could reach Rs1 million
Every year, newly launched iPhones arrive in Pakistan in limited quantities during the first few weeks. With demand significantly exceeding supply, importers often set their own prices, knowing that many buyers are willing to pay a premium to own Apple’s latest flagship before it becomes widely available.
Several iPhone importers in Islamabad and Lahore told us that the possibility of the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaching Rs1 million is very real.
According to them, affluent customers who want to be among the first to own the latest iPhone are often prepared to pay almost any price. This allows retailers to charge substantial premiums during the launch period, particularly for higher-storage variants.
While prices are expected to ease once larger shipments enter the country, importers believe the premium could remain for several weeks. The top-end 2TB version may continue to hover close to the Rs1 million mark even months after launch, much like the iPhone 17 Pro Max 2TB, which still commands a price of around Rs870,000.
Rumoured upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro series
Although Apple has yet to officially unveil the iPhone 18 lineup, leaks suggest the Pro models could receive several significant upgrades.
One of the most talked-about changes is a redesigned front display featuring a much smaller Dynamic Island. Reports suggest Apple may finally move Face ID components beneath the display, reducing the size of the cut-out by around 35 per cent compared with the current generation.
The Pro Max is also expected to become slightly thicker, mainly because of a larger rear camera module. Dummy models circulating online indicate a more pronounced camera bump that could accommodate upgraded imaging hardware.
Photography may receive one of the biggest improvements this year. Rumours point to a new variable-aperture main camera, allowing users to manually control how much light reaches the sensor. This could offer greater creative control over exposure and depth of field while improving image quality in different lighting conditions.
Apple is also tipped to introduce an advanced three-layer stacked camera sensor developed by Samsung. The new sensor is expected to improve responsiveness, reduce image noise and deliver better dynamic range.
Powering the iPhone 18 Pro models is expected to be Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, reportedly built using TSMC’s advanced 2-nanometre manufacturing process. The chip could deliver performance improvements of up to 15 per cent while consuming around 30 per cent less power than the current A19 processor, resulting in faster performance and better battery efficiency.
Premium phone, premium price
For many Pakistani consumers, the biggest surprise may not be the iPhone 18’s new features but its expected price tag.
Even if Apple’s official pricing remains unchanged in global markets, taxes, PTA approval costs, import expenses and hefty launch premiums are likely to push Pakistani retail prices to unprecedented levels.
For those determined to own Apple’s latest flagship on day one, that could mean paying close to Rs1 million for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Others may choose to wait a few months, hoping increased supply brings prices down, although history suggests the highest-end variants are likely to remain among the most expensive smartphones sold in Pakistan.
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