Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing and assembly industry produced 2.42 million handsets in September 2026, a 20% decline compared with the same month last year, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The figures, reported on 3 November 2026, show an industry still running well below last year’s pace — even as factories staged a sharp recovery from a weak August.
Pakistan has become one of the world’s notable mobile phone assembly markets in recent years, with local production now supplying the vast majority of the phones sold in the country. The new PTA data gives the clearest picture yet of where the industry stands as 2026 heads toward its final quarter.
September Output: 2.42 Million Units
Local manufacturers and assemblers produced 2.42 million mobile phones in September 2026, down 20% from September 2025. The year-on-year decline marks a continued slowdown for the sector, which has spent much of this year trailing last year’s production levels. The PTA figures cover all locally manufactured and assembled handsets reported by licensed manufacturers.
A 46% Month-on-Month Rebound
Despite the annual decline, the industry recorded a strong monthly recovery. Production jumped 46% compared with August 2026, indicating that factories regained significant momentum after a sluggish summer month. The sharp rebound suggests that supply and demand conditions improved through September, even though the industry remains behind its 2025 trajectory on an annual basis.
Nine-Month Picture: 21.08 Million Units
Cumulatively, domestic companies manufactured and assembled 21.08 million mobile phones during the first nine months of 2026 (January to September) — a 7% decline from the 22.78 million units produced in the same period of 2025. The cumulative figures confirm that the year-on-year shortfall is a sustained trend rather than a one-month dip, underlining the scale of the challenge facing local assemblers this year.
Local Assembly Meets 96% of Demand
One of the clearest bright spots in the PTA data is Pakistan’s growing self-reliance in handsets. Local manufacturing and assembly met 96% of the country’s mobile phone demand in September 2026, up from 95% in August. That means nearly every phone purchased in Pakistan is now assembled within the country — a major shift from just a few years ago, when imports dominated the market.
Mobile phone imports fell 48% year-on-year in September to just 110,000 units. Imports did, however, rise 38% compared with August, a second signal that overall demand is recovering month by month.
Which Brands Led the Market
VGO Tel was the top locally assembled mobile phone brand during the first nine months of 2026, producing 2.50 million units. Infinix followed with 1.96 million units, while Itel recorded 1.59 million units over the same period. Together, these three brands account for a substantial share of Pakistan’s locally made handsets, reflecting the strength of budget and mid-range brands in the domestic market.
What the Numbers Mean for Buyers
The dual picture — a weaker year but a strong September — points to a market in transition. Globally, the smartphone industry is also under pressure: smartphone shipments fell around 20% in the third quarter of 2026, with research firm Counterpoint Research linking the downturn to rising memory chip prices and higher manufacturing costs that have pushed up retail prices worldwide.
For Pakistani buyers, the continued growth in local assembly means wider choice in locally made phones across every price segment. And the 46% September rebound suggests factories are gearing up for a stronger finish to the year — a positive sign ahead of the busy year-end shopping season.
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