Smartphone prices jump in Karachi as AI demand lifts memory costs

Basic phone, 4GB RAM and 64GB

Rs30,000 up from about Rs20,000

A basic phone with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage cost about Rs20,000 until last year. It now sells for more than Rs30,000.

Phone makers say AI companies are buying memory chips at very high prices. Dealers say taxes have not risen enough to explain the jump.

Many buyers are turning to used or refurbished phones. Consumers are asking the government to keep basic smartphones affordable.