AQEEL HAIDER
A global status symbol, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an advanced device besides being an attractive-looking gadget. The trend of buying non-PTA-registered iPhones 16 Pro Max is now on the rise across Pakistan.
Therefore, raises questions over what leads Pakistani users to opt for these instead of PTA-registered versions of this gadget. Pakistani users are nowadays opting for non-PTA iPhones 16 Pro Max for a number of reasons that have led to the trend.
The most significant reason Pakistani users will choose the non-PTA iPhone 16 Pro Max is that it can be nearly half the price difference of PTA-approved models. PTA-approved iPhones do carry taxes and registration fees, and in total, really inflate the prices. In some cases, these import duties and the PTA registration charge can add up to quite a big amount and make the PTA-approved iPhone much more expensive. On the contrary, the non-PTA version avoids those additional costs and therefore is relatively cheaper. Cost savings become much sizeable and a tipping point for most users especially those who are on a tight budget to make a non-PTA iPhone attractive.
The release of new iPhone models gets delayed in the market as it takes some time owing to regulatory approvals and import procedures in Pakistan. This delay is frustrating especially for technology enthusiasts who’d like to get hands on the latest technologies as soon as they hit the markets globally. A non-PTA iPhone 16 Pro Max gives a user a loophole whereby they can receive the latest model bypassing the delay by buying them straight from international markets. This instant availability of the latest iPhone is the primary attraction for most of the users that seek the latest technology as soon as it takes the markets.
Non-PTA iPhones are much more flexible in terms of carrier options and usage. Though PTA-approved phones have to get registered and be placed in relation with some sort of network, non-PTA iPhones are usually unlocked in which users can easily switch between different carriers. This is very convenient for a traveler or for use with different SIM cards for something. Additionally, some people find it too much hassle to get a PTA-registered mobile, especially if they just want to use their non-PTA device.
Getting an iPhone registered with the PTA requires a rather elaborate process: payment of fees, issue of identification, and waiting in line for approval. This can take up to several days or weeks, which may not be very handy for users to get started with their new phone immediately. In contrast, the non-PTA iPhone allows its users to avoid this long process of registration and get started with using it right out of the box. For many users, convenience happens to be a really good reason to bypass bureaucratic procedures.
Despite this, there are a few drawbacks that the users would be aware of before having an iPhone 16 Pro Max that is not PTA approved. Non-PTA iPhones are unregistered handsets through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority; therefore, technically speaking, these handsets have no legal right to be utilized across Pakistani networks. According to law, PTA can ban the unregistered handsets, meaning the non-PTA iPhone would be useless in case it has to be used with native call and data services. To avoid this, users will most likely have to use the phone in offline mode or rely on Wi-Fi for connectivity, which limits the full functionality of the device.
Another factor applicable to warranty and after-sales services is if the customer is using an iPhone which does not have a registration at PTA. Their official warranty may not support the devices that lack or have never been registered at PTA and will leave them fighting for repairs or support using the official. They can only rely on third party repair services that are less reliable, probably voiding the warranty.
