Smartphone providers have diversified a lot over the years, and now we almost have too many options. There are high-end phones with great cameras, and more affordable options with seemingly endless battery life. And, unfortunately, we also have to watch out for PTA taxes that come with some of the best mobiles in Pakistan.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the best mobiles that are easily available in Pakistan. We’ve covered everything from the iPhone 15 Pro Max to Google’s Pixels, and less-dominant players like Infinix.
In a hurry? Here are our picks for the 9 best phones in Pakistan:
The best camera phone: iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is unsurprisingly the best camera phone in Pakistan, with industry-leading cameras and x5 Zoom. The new ProMotion technology improves its battery life, while its titanium build is lighter and more durable than the iPhone 14’s. Read Full Review
Best Samsung phone: S23 Ultra
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the S23 promises unmatched performance. Samsung’s gone on all-in on its flagship with exceptional cameras (200MP main sensor and awesome low-light performance) and a long battery life. Read Full Review
Best AI camera phone: Google Pixel 8 Pro
While the Pixel 8 Pro’s performance is slightly behind the 15 Pro and S23, it boasts unmatched AI-powered photo processing capabilities and seven years of generous software updates. Read Full Review
Best for gaming/PUBG: Asus Rog 6
The Asus Rog 6 is purpose-built for gaming, with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, an 165Hz OLED display, and a ridiculously powerful 18GB of RAM. Two dual-celled 3000mAh batteries have you covered for long gaming sessions, and the phone’s cameras hold up surprisingly well for a gaming smartphone.
Best under 40000: Samsung Galaxy A14
The A14 offers great value for money, with a 90Hz, 1080p display, a 50MP main camera supported by 2MP depth, and 2 years of software updates topped with five years of security updates. Its main drawback is the somewhat sluggish Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor. Read Full Review
Best under 30000: Itel S23
A sleek, futuristic design, category-leading processor, 90Hz refresh rate and decent cameras have earned the Itel S23 its spot as the best mobile under 30000 in Pakistan. Read Full Review
Best Redmi phone: Xiaomi 13T Pro
Xiaomi hasn’t come in slow with the 13T Pro; it boasts the MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor, a crazy 12GB of RAM, and a 1-inch Sony IMX989 main camera sensor for capturing high-quality photos. Its battery life is significantly better than the 12 Pro’s. Read Full Review
Best Infinix phone: Infinix Note 12
The Infinix Note 12 has all the makings of a good budget phone, including the MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, the Android 12 software, and 8GB of RAM. But its vibrant AMOLED display, polished design, and respectable cameras help it standout in its category. Read Full Review
The 9 best smartphones in Pakistan
View the complete list
1. iPhone 15 Pro Max
Specifications
Display: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
CPU: Hexa-core
RAM: 8GB
Storage / Expandable: 256, 512, 1 TB / No
Rear camera: 48 MP, 12 MP
Front camera: 12 MP
Weight: 221g
Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 16 hours
Unsurprisingly, Apple still holds the crown for the best camera phone in Pakistan (and, well, everywhere else too). While the 15 Pro Max doesn’t have major design changes over the 14, you’ll immediately notice thinner bezels and the addition of a USB-C port. The 15 series also boasts significant performance improvements, with the powerful Apple A17 Pro chip (paired with 8GB of RAM) packing enough power for console-grade games.
The 15 Pro Max retains the Dynamic Island technology launched with the 14, but it also features new “ProMotion” technology that varies the refresh rate to conserve battery life, and an always-on display. And, of course, the Pro Max boasts an industry-leading camera module, with 3 cameras (48 MP main/wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12 MP telephoto with x5 zoom).
By default, the phone takes 24MP photos instead of 12MP thanks to its Photonic Engine and HDR algorithms. Apple’s upgraded Smart HDR also means the 15 Pro Max captures higher-quality pictures in low-light settings, with sharper, more accurate images. The iPhone 15 Pro Max works a treat for videographers, too, with its 4K60 quality.
Compared to the 14 Pro Max, the 15 Max’s battery is only marginally larger – 4422 mAh vs the 14 Max’s 4323 – but the 14 Pro Max’s battery already offered sufficient longevity. The 15 Pro Max is also a touch lighter than the 14, thanks to its elegant titanium frame (that doesn’t smudge like stainless steel). Apple’s new “Action Button” located in the top left corner is another new addition, and it essentially lets you toggle active settings on and off. You can customize its function to your liking, for example, by programming it to quickly launch or close shortcuts.
Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is an absolute monster of a machine, and while it isn’t leaps and bounds ahead of the 14 Pro Max, some substantial changes like improved cameras, x5 Zoom, a titanium frame, superior performance, and a better viewing experience make it stand out. Plus, if you’re upgrading from an older model, like the 13 or 12, you’ll notice major improvements.
As with any new iPhone, the 15 Pro Max’s main drawback is its price, but it boasts noticeable performance improvements, an industry-leader camera, and some fun new additions like the Action button. So if it’s within your budget, it’s still one of the best mobile phones in Pakistan to buy, if not the best.
2. Samsung S23 Ultra
Specifications
Display: 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
CPU: Octa-core
RAM: 8/12GB
Storage / Expandable: 256, 512, 1 TB / No
Rear camera: 200 MP, (wide), 10 MP (telephoto), 10 MP (periscope telephoto), 12 MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 12 MP
Weight: 234 g
Battery life: 13 hours (active use)
Samsung’s S22 Ultra already set the bar quite high for Android phones, and thankfully, the S23 Ultra continues this trend with some appreciable upgrades. The massive 6.8-inch screen outclasses the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google 7a Pro in terms of size, and the Ultra comes with a stylus that fits right into your phone.
Samsung has put a fair deal of effort into making the S23 Ultra’s camera exceptional – they’ve added a 200-megapixel sensor in the main camera, allowing you to shoot photos at 12, 50, or MP, respectively. You can also download the Expert Raw app which integrates into your native camera app, making professional editing easy. The S23 Ultra also boasts noticeable improvements in its low-light performance (Samsung’s strength), autofocus, dynamic range, and color clarity. However, the camera isn’t as consistent as the iPhone 14/15s or the Google Pixel 7/8’s, so you might end up with an odd photo here or there.
The S23 Ultra is equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for Galaxy), which ensures it runs effortlessly fast. The S23’s chip also runs cooler than the S22’s; we noticed that it doesn’t heat up as much when downloading heavy apps or running resource-intensive games. The S23 Ultra retains the S22 Ultra’s 5,000-mAh battery size, but the upgraded processor makes the device more battery-efficient, so you can expect more longevity.
Overall, the S23 Ultra is unsurprisingly one of the best smartphones, and definitely the best android phone in Pakistan.
3. Google Pixel 8 Pro
Specifications
Display: 6.7 inches, TPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+dynamic AMOLED, (1440 x 3200)
RAM: 12GB
Storage / Expandable: 128, 256, 512 GB, 1 TB / No
Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 48MP (telephoto) + 48MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 10.5MP (ultrawide)
Weight: 213 g
Battery life: 14 hours
Google’s flagship Pixel 8 Pro offers many competitive features, including a 48MP sensor in its ultra-wide lens, powerful AI photo-processing features, a brighter display than previous models, and the new Tensor G3 chip. While it still lags behind the S23 Ultra and 15 Pro Max in a few capabilities, it’s a more affordable, well-rounded option that’s definitely worth considering.
The Pixel 8 Pro boasts some noticeable improvements over previous models, including a brighter display (just over 1500 nits), a more powerful processor, and an improved battery life. The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera module sports 3 cameras (just like the 15 Pro Max), including a 50MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide and 48MP telephoto, but it’s really the AI-powered smart editing features that turn simple captures into masterpieces. The Tensor G3 chip is considerably more powerful than the G2, but it still falls short performance-wise of the iPhone 15 & Samsung S23 Ultra’s hardware. Still, unless you’re running resource-heavy apps, the Pixel 8 Pro runs like a breeze.
Like previous models, The Pixel 8 Pro includes updates for the model – 7 years, to be precise, including security patches and Android updates. However, while the battery lasts around 2 hours more than the 7 Pro’s with casual use, it’s still outlasted by competing flagship models in terms of longevity, so that’s a drawback you’ll need to account for.
All in all, we’re quite satisfied with the Pixel 8 Pro’s money-to-value ratio. It’s not as impressive as the S23 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it’s an excellent phone with nifty AI-features and guaranteed updates to keep it feature-relevant.
4. Google Pixel 7A
Specifications
Display: 6.1 inches OLED, HDR, 90Hz
RAM: 8 GB
Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No
Rear camera: 64MP (wide)+ 13MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 13MP (ultrawide)
Weight: 193.5g
Battery life: 4 hours 20 minutes (active use)
While the Google Pixel 7A lacks some of the 8 Pro’s more advanced features, it’s a more affordable, stripped-down model that’s delightfully reliable. Despite being a mid-range phone, the 7A’s sleek display boasts a 90Hz refresh rate (you’ll need to enable it by selecting “Smooth Display” in the display settings). The 7A also includes the Tensor G2 processor, which is arguably the most powerful chip in its category.
True to the Pixel series track record, the Pixel 7A’s cameras are primed for mobile photography, with a 64MP main rear camera that’s complemented by optical image stabilization, and 13MP ultrawide and selfie cameras. It easily boasts the best cameras on an upper-mid-range phone and they really hold their own in low-light settings. In good lighting, expect high-quality photos with distinguished contrasts.
The Pixel 7A comes with a respectable-but-not-impressive 4385mAh battery, and you can customise your phone to adjust its longevity. “Extreme Power Saver” mode will get you many more hours out of the phone, while keeping this setting off and enabling the always-on display feature will drain your battery much faster.
Overall, we’re more than satisfied with the Google Pixel 7A. It’s easily a category-leading upper-mid-range phone with exceptional cameras, an improved display, respectable battery life and a powerful processor. We also give it additional points for its robust build quality, sleek design, and Google’s promise of consistent updates for years to come.
5. Samsung Galaxy A14
Specifications
Display: 6.6-inch PLS LCD, 90Hz
RAM: 4, 6, 8GB
Storage / Expandable: 64, 128 GB / Yes
Rear camera: 50MP (wide), 2MP (macro), 2MP (depth)
Front camera: 13MP (wide)
Weight: 202g
Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 24 hours
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a balanced performance and features at around 60,000 PKR. It has a sleek, minimalistic design with a flat back and three standalone cameras, and Samsung guarantees 2 years of software updates plus five years of security updates, which is rare for a phone in this category.
The A14’s 5000mAh battery means you can comfortably use it throughout the day without worrying about it dying on you, whether you need to reply to messages, order off foodpanda, scroll Instagram or take calls for work. The 6.6-inch display supports 1080p resolution and boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering a decidedly smooth viewing experience. Additionally, its Widevine L1 certification means you can watch Netflix shows on it in HD.
Samsung hasn’t skimped on the cameras, either – the A14 includes a 50MP main camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth one. The phone takes clear, high-quality still photos but it struggles when there’s movement, so expect mixed results. The selfie camera takes distinguished photos, and performs decently in low-light settings, but as with Samsung’s higher-end models, some of the colors seem exaggerated.
The A14 comes with the Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor, which is frankly a bit sluggish. You might experience a hint of lag when, say, you’re unlocking your phone but have apps running in the background. The processor is perfectly functional but not effortlessly smooth, but given the A14’s price, we’ll take it.
6. Asus Rog 6
Specifications
Display: 6.78 inches AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+
Storage / Expandable: 128, 256, 512GB / No
Rear camera: 50MP (wide), 13MP (ultra wide), 5MP (macro)
Front camera: 12 MP (wide)
Weight: 239 g
Battery life: 16 hours
Asus specializes in gaming phones, so it’s unsurprising that the company’s latest model – the Asus Rog 6 – checks in as the best gaming phone in Pakistan. If you’re not on a budget, this smartphone offers unparalleled performance, battery life, control, and an unmatched viewing experience.
The Rog 6’s display is an expansive 6.8 inches, with a crisp 2488x1080p FHD+ resolution and a vibrant AMOLED display. The gaming phone includes the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, with exceptional performance and heat management. The Rog 6’s 18GB of RAM helps it secure the top spot as the best-performing Android phone, and Asus has included plenty of features to keep the device cool while you game, like graphene sheets that pull heat away.
The Asus Rog 6 sports two dual-celled 3000mAh batteries, boasting a combined 6000mAh, making it well-equipped for long gaming sessions. With its adaptive refresh rate enabled (that maxes out at 165Hz), the phone still lasts over 14 hours, which is frankly insane. If you lock the refresh rate at a lower rate, like 60Hz, you can extend its running time further.
While most gaming phones have subpar cameras, the Asus Rog 6’s hold up surprisingly well. It’s got a 50MP main sensor with a 13MP ultra-wide, which takes consistently decent photos. However, the selfie camera is still very average, and it’s almost disappointing in low-light settings. Overall, it still doesn’t compete with flagship iPhones or the S22/23 Ultra, nor the Pixel 7&8 Pro.
Our verdict? The Asus 6 holds the mantle for the best gaming phone in Pakistan, thanks to its exceptional performance, reliable cooling features, awesome viewing experience, and massive battery. Like most gaming phones, its cameras aren’t anything special – but people buying this phone for gaming don’t typically care.
7. Itel S23
Specifications
Display: 6.6 inches IPS LCD, 90Hz
CPU: Octa core
RAM: 4, 8GB
Storage / Expandable: 128, 256 GB / Yes
Rear camera: 50 MP (wide)
Front camera: 8 MP
Weight: 195 g
Battery life: 15 hours
Itel’s S23 has the best design and build of any budget phone we’ve come across by a mile, with a sleek back, a carefully placed circular camera module that blends right in, and a glossy finish that you’d easily mistake for glass. The white version of the S23 also changes its color to purple after being exposed to UV light.
The S23 doesn’t lead in only the design category, though – its specs outperform many competing models in the same price bracket. The 6.59-inch display, for instance, boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals than other budget picks that offer, at best, 60Hz. The phone’s primary camera setup also sports the Samsung JN1 (S5KJN1) ISOCELL 2.0 sensor, which is typically limited to phones above the 60k PKR bracket. This camera setup offers an impressive 50MP resolution and can record videos in 1080p, and the setup also includes various modes (portrait, Ultra HD, Super Night, Panorama, etc.) to help you capture distinguished photographs.
The Itel S23’s selfie camera is nothing to dismiss, either, offering an impressive 8MP resolution. Itel has included the category-leading UNISOC T606 chipset (octa-core processor), making it one of the best performers in its class. The Itel S23 comes with a whopping 128GB of storage, and you can choose between 4GB and 8GB RAM options.
Our only real complaints about the S23 concern its user interface and fingerprint sensor. It uses the Itel OS 8.6.0 interface, isn’t as intuitive as we’d like, and the fingerprint sensor isn’t quick enough (the facial recognition feature is considerably faster). However, despite these drawbacks, the Itel S23’s combination of category-leading performance, exceptional design, and stellar camera setup make it one of the best phones under 30000 in Pakistan.
8. Xiaomi 13T Pro
Specifications
Display: 6.67 AMOLED, 68B colors, 144Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+
CPU: Octa-core
RAM: 12, 16GB
Storage / Expandable: 256, 512, 1 TB / No
Rear camera: 50MP (wide) , 50MP (telephoto), 12MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 20MP (wide)
Weight: 200g
Battery life (Hrs:Mins): Over 11 hours.
The Xiaomi 13T Pro has all the makings of a category-leading phone, with effortless performance, a powerful camera, wired and wireless charging options, all-day battery life, and a design suspiciously similar to an iPhone’s. The 13 Pro hasn’t been released in Pakistan, but the 13T offers similar specs with some trade-offs, and better storage options.
The 13T Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor is combined with a monstrous 12GB of RAM, making it excel at every task you throw at it, including simultaneously. Whether you’re switching between apps, firing up your camera module, or playing graphics-intensive games like PUBG or Asphalt 9, the 13T Pro delivers a consistently smooth, lag-free experience.
Xiaomi partnered with Leica, a leading camera company, to enhance the 13&13T Pro’s capabilities—and they haven’t disappointed. The main sensor is the impressive 1-inch Sony IMX989, which helps the 50MP rear cameras take exceptional, high-quality photos. Unfortunately, a large sensor also makes for a bulkier camera module.
The Pro 13T excels at landscape photography, and it holds its own with street photography, but its portrait mode needs improvement (since the module lacks a dedicated depth sensor). The Phone’s 30MP selfie camera takes high-quality snaps, too.
Xiaomi took the feedback about the 12 Pro’s battery life seriously, because the 13T Pro’s larger 4800mAh battery can comfortably last a day, even if you use it vigorously and do some gaming in between. The 120W wired charger gets you right back up to a full charge in just shy of 30 minutes, and the 50W wireless charging option is there for when you need convenience.
Our only major complaint is Xiaomi’s decision to include the MIUI 14 operating system over Android 13, which is less intuitive and features an over-the-top skin. It also comes with a few apps you can’t uninstall, like apps for web browsing and file storage.
Overall, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is an excellent alternative to more expensive phones, like Samsung and Apple’s latest models. It certainly has room for improvement—especially in Xiaomi’s choice of software—but it definitely doesn’t disappoint. The Xiaomi 13T Pro retails at over 240k PKR, and the 13T—with a smaller display and a few specs-compromises—retails at a more modest 175K PKR.
9. Infinix Note 12
Specifications
Display; AMOLED, 120Hz, 6.7 inches
CPU: Octa-core
RAM: 4/6GB
Storage / Expandable: 64, 128GB/Yes
Rear camera: 50MP (wide), 2MP (depth)
Front camera:16MP
Weight: 184.5g
Battery life (Hrs:Mins):16 hours
True to Infinix’s brand, the Note 12 offers a careful balance of features and price; it’s decidedly a mid-range phone, but it has a few surprises in store that give it an edge over the competition.
At a glance, the Note 12 has every essential you’d expect from a phone in this category—a respectable MediaTek Helio G96 processor chipset, 8GB of RAM, a fingerprint scanner, and the Android 12 software. It’s also got Infinix’s signature smooth, glossy design, with a beautiful circular camera model that blends into the phone’s design.
But if you put the Note 12 side-by-side with another mid-range smartphone, the Note 12’s 6.7-inch AMOLED display stands out not just for its larger size, but thanks to its distinguished clarity and superior contrast. Unfortunately, the screen is held back by a 60Hz refresh rate—we’d have much preferred if Infinix had included 90Hz instead.
The phone’s camera module—which includes a 50MP main, 2MP depth, and 16MP selfie—aren’t going to compete with those of high-end models, but they hold up commendably well. The Infinix Note 12 captures clear photos with a natural look in the right lighting. The night mode is a nice addition that improves the clarity of low-light selfies. For recording videos, the phone supports up to 2K resolution with 30 FPS, but 1080P at 60 FPS seems to hold up better.
Like most of Infinix’s phones, the Note 12 boasts an impressive battery life, lasting over 7hours with fairly heavy use. And although the phone includes Android 12, Infinix has slapped its XOS 10.6 UI on top, which adds bloat and makes it less intuitive.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best Infinix mobile in Pakistan, the Note 12 is one of the best contenders. Its reliable performance, long battery life, great storage, and respectable cameras offer lots of value at this price point.
How to pick the best mobile phone in Pakistan
Processor and RAM:
The processor is the main part of a device, and its entire performance is determined by it. Software updates are often limited by the processor’s capabilities. It’s safe to bet on Qualcomm and Mediatek because they’re reliable and they’ve been making processors for decades.
Meanwhile, Apple’s processors have always boasted top-tier performance, and Google’s Tenor chip comes in strong, too. When considering a phone’s processor, you should also look at the RAM, as the two collectively determine your phone’s performance.
Battery life:
It would be great if a larger battery – i.e. greater mAh – equaled a longer battery life cycle. However, battery life is influenced by additional aspects, like higher-resolution screens use more battery, and the newest processors help to extend battery life. Then there’s the issue of display refresh rates and fast charging technology to consider. Rather than relying solely on technical specifications, it’s a good idea to read reviews and benchmark results to see how all of these elements work when combined in a single device.
Camera:
Mobile manufacturers are investing more in cameras, so we’re seeing more affordable smartphones offer decent camera systems. Smartphones are increasingly resembling digital cameras in terms of megapixels, hybrid autofocus, optical stabilization, manual modes, unique effects, and particular selfie functions.
But try to get too caught up with the figures on the technical sheet. The megapixel count alone does not give the whole picture; it’s essential to understand the kind of integrated lens, and pixel density.
Price:
If you have a limited budget, the value for money really matters here. What are your plans for your future smartphone? If you’re going to be using it for basic use, you could go for a low to mid range phone. Infinix have produced some great, reliable phones at very affordable rates.
But if you’re a hardcore gamer or into smartphone photography, you’ll need to splash out on more expensive models.
You’re good to go!
We’ve done our best to cover a wide variety of phones, from different vendors and at different price points. We hope you find a great phone for your needs, and if you think we should consider a different phone for our list, please let us know. Happy shopping!