By Zainab Shafiq 
The iPhone 14 is the latest dream phone for many tech enthusiasts, boasting high-end features and a premium design. However, its steep price tag makes it unaffordable for many average earners who aspire to own one.
To make matters worse, those who do choose to purchase the iPhone 14 must also pay the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tax and customs duty within 30 days of purchase for registration with PTA.
Despite its high cost, the iPhone 14 offers an impressive array of features, including a variety of color options such as purple, blue, starlight, midnight, and red. The phone also features a top-notch display and amazing camera capabilities, although it uses the same A15 chip as its predecessor with an updated internal design for better thermal performance.
Additionally, the A15 chip offers a 6-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine, providing users with a fast and efficient user experience.
The camera boasts a 12-megapixel wide camera with a large sensor and an updated TrueDepth camera with a 1.9 aperture. The video action mode offers smooth-looking videos with superior image stabilization. The iPhone 14 models include a dual-core accelerometer capable of measuring up to 256 Gs and a high dynamic range gyroscope that powers a crash detection feature.
One standout feature of the iPhone 14 is its emergency SoS through satellite, which enables it to connect directly to satellites for communication processes during emergencies. These advanced features, however, come with a higher price tag compared to other smartphones, especially since PTA recently increased the taxes on imported smartphones.
The new PTA taxes on the iPhone 14 series are as follows:
Apple iPhone 14: PTA Tax on Passport (PKR) 134,825 / PTA Tax on CNIC (PKR) 160,958
Apple iPhone 14 Plus: PTA Tax on Passport (PKR) 140,575 / PTA Tax on CNIC (PKR) 167,283
Apple iPhone 14 Pro: PTA Tax on Passport (PKR) 149,775 / PTA Tax on CNIC (PKR) 177,403
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max: PTA Tax on Passport (PKR) 158,630 / PTA Tax on CNIC (PKR) 187,143
The high tax rates on imported smartphones are due to the current economic climate in Pakistan, where the government is taking measures to limit imports to stabilize the economy due to the devaluation of the rupee and low State Bank Reserves.
While these measures may be necessary, they make it difficult for individuals to afford high-end smartphones like the iPhone 14. On the other hand, it presents an opportunity for retailers who import phones in large quantities.