When did the first smartphone come to Pakistan, the price was so much that a bike could come?
Do you know that when the first smartphone entered Pakistan, its cost was so high that in India a bike could be purchased with the same amount of money? Read here how the smartphone began in Pakistan, what was its price and how this technology slowly reached each home.
The first smartphone entered Pakistan around 2008-2009. But it was available only in large cities. At that moment, the cost of smartphones appeared to be above expectations. Because of which it was not easy for common people to purchase them. The HTC One was the first smartphone in Pakistan. Which arrived in July 2013 with the support of Mobilink. Its price was around 72,000 Pakistani rupees (around Rs 21,674 in India). This smartphone had good-quality features and design.
When did the phone arrive at the software and the public?
At that time, smartphones began with operating systems such as Symbian OS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile, but the actual starting of Android smartphones is dated after 2010. Between 2009-2010, smartphones initially arrived in the hands of individuals in major cities. After 2012, when affordable Android smartphones began to emerge (such as Huawei, QMobile, Samsung), the Pakistani general public began using smartphones aggressively.
What was the price?
The original smartphone was available at around 70,000 to 80,000 Pakistani rupees (roughly Rs 21,674 in India). A good Bajaj Pulsar or Hero Honda bike in India would be available at this rate at that time. Hence, regular folks in Pakistan felt that it was a luxury product.
Best-selling smartphone in Pakistan
According to the Pakistani website, in Pakistan towards the end of the year 2024, Infinix had secured the highest share of the smartphone market. Its share was about 16.53 percent. But then Vivo overtook Infinix in the early half of 2025 and emerged as the largest smartphone manufacturer in Pakistan. Infinix made a strong position in Pakistan's smartphone market by increasing local manufacturing and launching affordable smartphones. Brands such as Vivo, Samsung and OPPO are also very popular in Pakistan.
