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Pakistan’s Major Mobile Phone Tax Problem and How to Fix It

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Pakistan’s mobile tax situation has a major problem, but it can easily be fixed.

The recent exchange inside the Finance Committee discussing high taxes on iPhones and other high-end models did not reveal a new problem; it simply brought long-standing faults within the mobile tax framework into clear view.

The Problems

Pakistan has built a taxation model around imported high-end phones that is rigid, unforgiving, and unaligned with real-world usage. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) itself admits that 94% of all phones in Pakistan are now assembled locally, and only 6% fall under high-end imports. Yet this small segment is taxed the most aggressively, often facing duties that reach 50–55% of the device’s value.

The system offers no flexibility, no consumer safety net, and no logical mechanism to protect users from basic risks like theft, hardware failure, or depreciation. This is not how modern tax systems operate, and Pakistan can no longer pretend it makes sense.

Lost Taxes From Stolen Phones

If someone pays around Rs. 200,000 in PTA taxes for an iPhone 17 today and it gets stolen tomorrow, which is likely considering law and order conditions, every rupee of that tax is lost. There is no transferability of the tax, no ability to reassign the paid duties to a replacement device, and no contingency for the common urban threat of phone snatching.

In a country where device theft is routine, treating a massive tax payment as permanently tied to one IMEI is unreasonable. Experts suggest that the state should allow consumers to:

  • Deregister a stolen device
  • Transfer already-paid tax to a new IMEI
  • Receive a tax credit token for a future device

Currently, the tax becomes a sunk cost, forcing users to pay again. Any transferability or tax credit could be time-bound, for example, valid for two years from the date of commencement, to avoid lifetime exemptions.

Broken/Bricked Phones Lose Paid Taxes

Phones naturally encounter hardware failures, crashes, liquid damage, or screens beyond repair. Worldwide, replacement mechanisms exist to address such issues. Under the PTA model, however, if a device becomes unusable, the tax paid on it becomes unusable as well. There is no transfer, no credit, and no recognition that electronic failures are normal.

The system treats the tax like a penalty fine instead of a license tied to the user, reflecting an outdated approach that ignores basic consumer rights.

Tax Remains Fixed Despite Price Drops

Flagship devices inevitably depreciate. An iPhone launched at Rs. 400,000 may drop to Rs. 300,000 within six months. While global and local markets adjust, PTA taxes remain locked to the original, inflated value.

This causes distortions:

  • Older models remain artificially expensive
  • Users waiting for price drops are punished
  • The tax-to-value ratio becomes irrational
  • Mid-cycle buyers face unfair barriers, slowing the local market

A dynamic market demands dynamic taxation. The current PTA structure assumes phone prices never move, which is unfair to consumers.

Used Phones Taxed Like New Devices

Used and new phones are treated identically for tax purposes, with no differentiation in rate or valuation, even if a device is two or three years old. PTA fears abuse, but the fundamental flaw remains:

  • Second-hand devices become unnecessarily expensive
  • Older models lose affordability
  • The used-phone ecosystem shrinks, affecting lower-income consumers
  • Market behaviour is distorted as people avoid older models

In Pakistan, second-hand devices are essential, not a luxury. A one-size-fits-all tax model ignores this reality.

How to Fix The Issues

While the intent behind limiting imports and supporting local assembly is understandable, a tax system must be fair, flexible, and modern. The current model fails on all three counts.

  • Experts suggest basic structural improvements:
  • IMEI-to-IMEI tax transfer for stolen or bricked phones (time-limited)
  • Tax credit tokens are valid for replacement devices
  • Dynamic valuation tied to updated market prices
  • Separate tax tiers for certified used devices
  • A loss-proof registry for theft or irreparable damage

These reforms would not weaken revenue but would align taxation with real-world behaviour and consumer protection. They would also rebuild trust, which has eroded as compliant buyers discover that paying full tax gives no return, flexibility, or protection.

Pakistan cannot advance its digital ecosystem if its taxation model belongs to another era. High-end phone buyers may form a small segment, but they consistently pay full price. Treating their payments as disposable, without recourse for loss, damage, or depreciation, is not policy; it is negligence disguised as taxation.





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Pixel 10a Specs Leak, Magic8 Pro Launch, Google’s Emoji Update

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December 13, 2025

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Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 Ultra certified, disappointing Pixel 10a details, Galaxy S26 Camera specs, Pixel 10 upgrade, Magic8 Pro launch, Gboard’s emoji update, Fortnite returns to the Google Play store.

Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs Confirmed By Samsung’s Paperwork

Over the years, Samsung has mixed and matched Galaxy S chipset suppliers, generally between the top-of-the-line Snapdragon and the home-grown Exynos chipsets. The community has been clear in the past that the slight advantage of the Snapdragon was a deciding factor… if they had a choice.

Recent documents submitted to the FCC by Samsung list the processors for both the US and international variants of the Galaxy S26 Ultra shipping with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5:

“In all of these models, we see a single chipset across all regions. This is mentioned as SM8850, which is the identifier for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, confirming that it powers Galaxy S26 Ultra variants meant for both the US and regions outside the US. However, this may not be a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 but an overclocked “For Galaxy” variant, similar to ones we’ve seen on older Samsung flagships in the recent past.”

Familiar Specs For Pixel 10a

Staying with the specs front, Verizon has recently certified what looks to be the Pixel 10a, the budget-focused Pixel 10 model expected for a late Q1 launch. That certification lists the model with a 6.3 inch 120 Hz AMOLED display, a 48-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and a 13-megapixel selfie camera. The specs are similar to this year’s Pixel 9a.

“These specs are the same as the Pixel 9a, and the listing also shares that the 10a will have a 5,100 mAh battery, which again is the same as the predecessor. Given the similarities in the certification, it’s unclear whether this is placeholder info taken from the last-gen smartphone.”

Galaxy S26’s Camera Details

More reusing last year’s model with details on the vanilla Galaxy S26 model. South Korean publication The Elec reports that the Galaxy S26 camera will reuse the Galaxy S25’s camera. The team at GSM Arena shine light on one potential reason for Samsung to forego a planned upgrade… the iPhone 17 success:

“Apple’s decision to upgrade the vanilla iPhone 17 to a 120Hz ProMotion LTPO OLED screen and 256GB base storage while retaining its $799 starting price influenced Samsung’s decision-making. This allegedly led Samsung to a last-minute choice to scrap the Galaxy S26’s camera upgrades so the device could match the $799 entry point.”

Pixel 10’s Quiet Performance Update

Google is rolling out the quarterly Android update to the Pixel range, and one of the big beneficiaries is the Pixel 10. While Google has not made a massive deal about it, the underlying changes have seen a boost in performance that is noticeable to many owners:

“It’s an interesting twist for a phone that launched with promising hardware but caught early criticism for GPU performance that lagged behind Snapdragon-powered rivals. Now, Google seems to be clawing back some of that ground with pure software optimization… The real surprise is in everyday use: PCMark Work 3.0 scores went up by nearly 20%, which suggests Google improved task scheduling in ways users will notice.”

https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel/google-pixel-10-performance-reportedly-jumps-after-android-16-qpr2-update

Honor Magic8 Pro Arrives

Alongside MagicOS 10, Honor has launched its flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone. The company is pushing the AI used to enhance images with the new camera assembly, and the improvements to low-light photography with its 200-megapixel capture:

“During the product presentation, Honor showcased the Honor Magic8 Pro’s key features, including a live camera comparison. The device features a 200MP AI Ultra Night Telephoto camera designed to deliver clear results in long-distance and low-light situations. It also introduces an upgraded AI Ultra Night Portrait mode focused on accurate colors and balanced lighting.”

Gboard’s Emoji Update

Slowly rolling out across Android is Google’s refresh to GBoard, and a new way to navigate and use your emoji. The Material 3 Expressive redesign tweaks both the colour and the tab bar from early beta versions. Android Authority has more:

“While these changes are rolling out, not everyone will see them just yet, even if you check out the beta version. The redesign appears only on devices running Android 16, so users running Android 15 will have to wait a little longer to check out the new look. We’ll keep an eye on future versions to see when they expand more broadly.”

And Finally…

Just in time for the next season, Fortnite is back up in the Google Play Store. Previously, you needed to install the Epic Store on your phone and then download the app. Now that several legal cases and issues between Epic Games and Google have been resolved, the way is clear:

Almost six months after Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed the move following the landmark court decision, Fortnite is now back on the Google Play Store as the year draws to a close. Season 7 of the popular battle royale title begins today, which is likely a reason for the app returning to the Play Store in such a quiet fashion.

Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!



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iPhone 18 Pro Leaks, App Store Verification Worries, MacBook Plans

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December 13, 2025

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Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from across the Apple world, including iPhone 18 Pro leaks, iPhone Air loses value, iOS 26.2 ready to go, two important MacBooks for 2026, iPhone Fold impact, App Store verification issues, and new cross-platform transfer tools.

Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.

Eyes Front For the iPhone 18 Pro

Details on the display for the 2026 iPhone 18 Pro are emerging, with the dominant front-facing selfie camera under scrutiny. Apple is reportedly developing technology and design that will reduce the lens size and potentially place it under the display. Tim Hardwick picks out the key question around the iPhone 18 upgrade:

“There have been several rumors suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro models will include under-display Face ID, but some disagreement over whether we’ll see the technology in 2026. A May report by The Information claimed that iPhone 18 Pro models will have no Dynamic Island with just a pinhole cutout located at the upper left of the display, but other rumors suggest there’s still going to be a Dynamic Island.”

iPhone Air Sales And Falling Value

2025 has proven to be an interesting year for “thin phones.” At the same time as the physical technology found success either side of the hinge in a wide range of foldables, the fashionable and straightforward choice of “this phone is thin” has not taken off. Apple arrived late, and many expected the market to take off. Instead, after a first wave of excited buyers, sales fell first in the primary market, and now in the secondary market. Forbes contributor Janhoi McGregor looks at he current state of play:

“SellCell’s data shows that within 10 weeks of launch, the iPhone Air lost an average of 44.3% of its original retail price. The most affected is the 1TB version, which has dropped 47.7%. This is the steepest loss of value recorded by SellCell for any iPhone model since 2022.

“The other iPhone 17 models are faring better than the iPhone Air, with the range retaining 9.7% more of their value than the slim phone after 10 weeks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the top performer across the new range, only losing 26.1% of its value in that time period.”

Apple Prepares Traditional Update

Apple is preparing the next significant update to iOS 26. Traditionally, the .2 release happens in December, just before the holidays each year. 2025 looks to be no different. The beta is already out in public for final checks and testing, so expect iOS 26.2 within the week:

“There are plenty of new features in iOS 26.2, from tweaks to the Liquid Glass effect on the lock screen to updates to Apple News, offline lyrics in Apple Music and live translation for AirPods in the European Union. Add to that refinements to the Passwords app, an alarm setting when an urgent Reminder is due, updates to Podcasts and the ability to choose a different voice assistant for users in Japan, and it becomes clear that there’s a lot going on.”

A Tale Of Two MacBooks

2026 looks likely to be bookended by two MacBooks. Opening up the year, will be the Value MacBook, a long rumoured cheaper MacBook that would see the main line of MacBooks drop under the totemic $999 barrier. These will likely be powered by Apple’s A-series chip, offering performance comparable to mid-range iPad Pro models.

The second is the M6 MacBook Pro, which will not only debut a new M-series chipset, but finally bring the display and connectivity technology of the MacOS laptop up to par with Windows, as Ryan Christoffel points out for 9to5Mac:

“It’s also rumored that Apple may offer a 5G cellular option with its forthcoming C2 in-house modem. Even if cellular support doesn’t prove true, adding touch alone will make the M6 MacBook Pro a significant turning point for the Mac. Apple has continuously shot down the idea of adding touch to the Mac. But the new MacBook Pro seems set to kickstart a new era for the platform.”

The Potential Impact Of The iPhone Fold

The foldables market has matured in 2025, with devices like the recently launched Galaxy Z TrFold and the commercial success of Honor’s Magic V5 dominating headlines. Yet the industry is waiting for Apple to swoop in next year with the iPhone Fold, capture a significant market share, and redefine the space.

While the iPhone Air might have damaged the idea that Apple can make a difference when arriving late, the latest report on Foldables from IDC makes the case that the foldables market is ready for Apple, even at a stunningly high retail price:

“But the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400.”

Tim Cook’s App Store Verification Issues

Tim Cook has raised Apple’s concerns with US lawmakers over the App Store Accountability Act (S.1586). Bloomberg reports that one of Apple’s key issues is a law requiring app store operators to be responsible for users’ age verification.

During a closed-door meeting with members of the committee, Cook urged lawmakers not to require app store operators to check documentation of users’ ages and instead rely on parents to provide the age of their child when creating a child’s account, according to a statement from Apple. The company described Cook’s argument as one founded on privacy concerns.”

And Finally…

iOS and Android are making it easier to move between the two platforms, with features being introduced to aid the process. These are not available immediately; instead, the updates are working through the various beta releases and rollouts across multiple devices:

“Apple and Google say the new upgraded experience is starting to roll out today with a new Android Canary build for Pixel devices. The features will also be available in an upcoming iOS 26 developer beta. The experience will continue to improve throughout the beta testing process on both platforms, including with support for more data types.”

Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.



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Qualcomm Drops 2 New Snapdragon Chips for Budget Phones in 2026

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8 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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Qualcomm announced two chips on Dec. 11 aimed at the mid‑range and entry‑level phone markets: the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Qualcomm told Android Central in a press release that it is launching both chips this week for affordable phones.

Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2

Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 uses Kryo CPU cores and an Adreno GPU to improve multitasking and visuals in lower‑level phones. The CPU reaches speeds up to 2.9GHz, and Qualcomm said the GPU sees a 20% increase in graphical performance. Qualcomm also stated the chip supports 120fps and can enable low‑lag performance on FHD Plus display phones.

Qualcomm positioned photography as another focus for the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2. The chip supports cameras up to 108MP for improved detail, according to the company. Qualcomm also said users will get “concurrent multi‑photo and video” features, meaning the phone can shoot using all three cameras at the same time.

Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 also supports voice assistance through AI software for quicker response times. The company added that it improved microphone capabilities and echo cancellation so voices stay clear in video and recordings remain crisp and undistorted.

Snapdragon 4 Gen 4

Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 follows similar hallmarks to the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, using Kryo CPU cores and an Adreno GPU. The CPU peaks at 2.3GHz. Qualcomm highlighted smooth graphics with 120fps support for phones with FHD Plus screens.

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 supports cameras up to 108MP and includes the same concurrent camera capture feature, according to Qualcomm. The company also emphasized “hardware‑based multi‑frame noise reduction,” which it said can reduce grain in photos.

Qualcomm framed battery as a major focus for the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Using Quick Charge 4 Plus, Qualcomm said the chip can take a phone from 0% to 50% in about 15 minutes. The company also noted that “swift 5G and Wi‑Fi” are part of the package.

Positioning in Qualcomm’s roadmap

Qualcomm said both the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 are part of its mobile roadmap, targeting mid‑range and entry‑level phones.





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