iPhone Price in Pakistan: PTA Approved vs Non-PTA (2026)

04 Oct 2026 · 5 min read

Search for any iPhone on a Pakistani marketplace and you will see the same model listed at prices that are tens of thousands of rupees apart. In most cases the difference is not the condition of the phone. It is the PTA status: PTA approved, non-PTA, JV or FU.

In short, a PTA approved iPhone costs the most because it works with any Pakistani SIM forever. A non-PTA iPhone is cheaper because the registration tax has not been paid. JV and patched phones are cheaper still, because they carry the most risk. This guide explains each type, gives rough price gaps by model, and helps you decide which one is right for you.

The four types of iPhone you will see in ads

PTA approved: the IMEI is registered on PTA's DIRBS system and the tax has been paid. It works with any local SIM, permanently. The safest and most expensive option.
Non-PTA (FU): FU means factory unlocked. The phone was brought from abroad and works with any SIM, but a Pakistani SIM only works for a temporary period unless the PTA tax is paid. After that it is mainly a Wi-Fi phone.
JV or carrier-locked: a phone locked to a foreign network that works here with a chip placed under the SIM. Network can drop after an iOS update, and it can be blocked. Avoid it unless you fully understand the risks.
Patched: a non-PTA phone that was made to show as approved through unofficial means. It may work today and get blocked later. Never pay PTA-approved money for one.

Our guide on PTA approved vs non-PTA phones explains the basics in more detail.

Why the price gap is so big on iPhones

The PTA tax is charged on the phone's customs value, so expensive phones pay more. iPhones are among the most valuable phones sold in Pakistan, which is why their tax, and so the PTA vs non-PTA gap, is bigger than on almost any Android phone. On a top Pro Max model the tax can run into lakhs. Read how PTA tax on iPhones works for the full picture.

The gap also depends on demand. Older iPhones are bought by budget buyers who need a SIM to work, so PTA approved units of older models stay in demand and hold their price well.

Rough price gaps by model generation

These are rough ranges only, based on how used iPhones have typically been priced. They are not quotes. Real prices move with the dollar rate, stock, storage, battery health and condition, so always compare with live ads.

iPhone 11 and 12 series: a PTA approved unit usually costs roughly Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 more than a similar non-PTA one.
iPhone 13 and 14 series: the gap is usually around Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000, more for Pro Max models.
iPhone 15 and 16 series: often around Rs 70,000 to Rs 1.3 lakh, with Pro Max models at the top end.
iPhone 17 and 18 series: the gap can be well over a lakh on Pro and Pro Max models, because the tax on new high-value phones is very high.

JV units usually sit below non-PTA prices, but the saving is rarely worth the risk of losing network.

To see what sellers are actually asking today, check PTA approved iPhones or a specific model such as the iPhone 13, iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Which one should you buy?

Buy PTA approved if you will use a Pakistani SIM, want the best resale value and don't want any surprises. For most people this is the right choice.
Buy non-PTA (FU) if you mainly use Wi-Fi, you already have a phone for your SIM, or the price difference is clearly bigger than the tax you would pay to register it.
Avoid JV and patched phones if you need the phone to work reliably. The low price is the trap.

A simple rule: add the PTA tax you would have to pay to the non-PTA price. If the total is close to or above a PTA approved unit, buy the PTA approved one. Our guide on the PTA tax on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max walks through this sum for two popular models.

How to check the PTA status before you pay

Never trust the ad or the seller's word alone. With the phone in your hand:

Dial *#06# to see the IMEI. iPhones with eSIM show two IMEIs, so check both.
Match the IMEI with Settings > General > About and the box.
Send the IMEI by SMS to 8484, or check it on PTA's DIRBS website.

Our step-by-step guide on how to check PTA approval online shows what each reply means. If you are not sure where to find the IMEI, see how to check your mobile IMEI number.

Resale value matters too

When you sell later, a PTA approved iPhone is easier to sell and fetches a better price, because most buyers in Pakistan want a phone that works with their SIM. A non-PTA iPhone has a smaller pool of buyers. So the extra you pay today often comes back when you sell.

Find your next iPhone

Browse iPhones on VerifiedPhones and filter by PTA status, storage and city. Already have an iPhone to upgrade from? Post your phone free and we'll show you the usual market price for your model.