Mobile Phone Buying Guide in Pakistan

Start with your budget and your everyday use

Write down the amount you can comfortably spend, including any charger, case or other accessory you need. For an imported phone, ask whether the quoted amount includes registration. A low handset price can be a poor comparison if the other phone includes more of the things you actually need.

Then choose your main priority. Calls, messaging and banking need a dependable daily phone. Gaming places more demand on the processor and cooling. For family photographs, useful camera results matter more than a large megapixel number.

Shortlist two or three phones in your range. Use our brand pages to narrow the options, then open the phone comparison before deciding. Compare the same condition and memory configuration rather than the cheapest headline attached to each model.

Choose the exact RAM and storage variant

“8/256GB” normally describes 8GB of physical RAM and 256GB of internal storage. These do different jobs: RAM helps the phone manage running apps, while storage holds apps, photographs, videos and downloads. Installed software uses some of the advertised storage.

Check how the seller describes extended or virtual RAM. An “8GB + 8GB” label should not be treated as 16GB of physical RAM. Ask for the physical RAM figure and confirm the configuration in the phone's settings.

Choose storage around the files you keep. Someone who records long videos or downloads large games may value additional storage more than someone who mostly streams. If you intend to use a memory card, check that the exact model supports one.

On our product pages, select the memory option before reading its price. A model's starting price and a quote for a particular variant are different things. Ask the seller to put the agreed RAM, storage and regional model on the invoice.

Read the specifications that affect your use

For PUBG and Free Fire, separate screen refresh rate from FPS

A 120Hz display does not, by itself, establish that a game will run at 120fps. The phone, game version and graphics mode must support the selected frame rate. Heat can also affect performance during play.

Look for a demonstration of the exact model with the game settings visible. An FPS figure without its graphics setting tells only part of the story. If you can try the phone, play beyond the opening menu and check whether frame delivery and touch response remain comfortable.

Check the camera and battery in ordinary conditions

For the camera, try an indoor face, a page of text and a subject against a bright background. Review the saved files rather than judging only the preview. If video matters, listen to the recording as well.

For a used phone, look at battery health information where the device provides it, then watch how it behaves while you test it. A capacity figure from the original specification does not describe the condition of an ageing battery.

Check the handset's PTA status before payment

Registration belongs to the individual handset's IMEI records. A brand name, sealed-looking box or “approved” sticker is not enough to confirm the unit in front of you.

1. Dial *#06# to display the phone's IMEI numbers.
2. Compare them with the handset settings, box and invoice.
3. Check each IMEI through PTA's official Device Verification System or send each IMEI by SMS to 8484.
4. If a result is unclear or does not match the handset, resolve it with the seller and the official service before paying.

Ask the seller to describe the registration basis accurately and in writing. PTA status, network unlocking and warranty are separate checks. If registration is still needed, obtain the applicable amount through official channels; do not rely on a generic tax estimate for a different model.

Inspect a used or refurbished phone in person

Ask what has been repaired or replaced, whether there is any water-damage history, and what the return policy covers. “Like new” describes a seller's assessment; it does not tell you which checks were performed.

Take your time with the display. Open a plain light screen and a dark screen, try touch input across the panel, and check the fingerprint reader or face authentication. Make a call with your own SIM, test the microphones and speakers, connect to Wi-Fi, and try charging with compatible equipment.

Complete account checks with the seller

For an iPhone, the previous owner must remove Activation Lock. Begin setup after the seller has erased the device, and do not accept a phone that asks for the previous owner's Apple Account. On supported models, review Parts and Service History in Settings as part of your inspection.

For Android, ask the seller to remove their Google Account from the device before resetting it. Complete setup together so you can confirm that it does not require the previous owner's credentials. A working home screen before reset does not settle that question.

Get the warranty and final price in writing

Ask who handles a fault: the manufacturer, an authorised service provider or the shop itself. Confirm the coverage period, the documents required and the process for a return. A verbal “shop warranty” is hard to compare with a written policy.

Before payment, check the final amount against the exact variant, condition and registration basis. Keep the invoice, the seller's written terms and your payment record. The invoice should identify the phone you received, rather than simply saying “mobile phone”.

Questions buyers often ask