r/PakistaniTech

Hey! Going tomorrow for a phone hunt with the range 150k capped in Lahore at multiple places like hafeez center, township etc

First time moving to a flagship model from Android, I need a phone which has a good backup and can last me 2+ years, I don't mind if it's ios or Android, the ones in my mind are either 15 pro, s25 or some old flagships, my main concern is gaming (not heavy gaming, just free fire), camera doesn't matter as much but should be decent and the battery backup should be good. No need for pta approved, I'll already use my old one for calls, just need a JV or non pta.

Please let me know your suggestions.

Its my first time getting a flagship phone as is se pehle bas mid range hi use karta tha. I'm currently using samsung A14 for few years and the performance is shit so i cant decide between 17 pro or s26 ultra?

There’s a lot of excitement around Google opening an office in Pakistan, but digging into the actual announcements paints a different picture.

The focus appears to be mainly on government/policy collaboration, digital-skills programs, education, IT exports, and Chromebook initiatives — not a Google engineering or R&D hub.

For example, the announced Chromebook facility could produce up to 500,000 devices annually, and Google says its programs have trained 1+ million Pakistanis.

That’s definitely positive for Pakistan’s tech ecosystem.

But there’s still no public announcement of a major Google software engineering operation in Islamabad.

So while this is good news, I think the “Google is opening an office in Islamabad” headlines are making it sound bigger than it actually is.

Is this a meaningful first step toward a larger Google presence, or mainly a government/industry partnership?

First time getting a flagship, i can get s25u on priceoye for around 3.3 lac. Is this the best option in this range in PTA approved? Any other options? Has to be PTA approved and preferably new.

Hey! I’ll be moving to Europe for my Masters in Education Policy and thinking to get a MacBook. I own IPhone 13 Pro Max as well.
My main work will be related to reading, completing assignments, qualitative and quantitative research (and related software), attending online meetings, etc. might use CapCut occasionally as well.
Is it wise to get a MacBook? If yes, which one? I am leaning toward Air M3. What would be the cost for new and used both 16 ram 512 storage.

Free vpn for laptop for location where we can change the locations.

I’ve used an iphone 13 non pta FU for almost 3yrs now and want to upgrade. my total budget is around 180k. It seems like my options include iphone 14 pro pta or iphone 15 base pta. If I go for non pta FU then I could get a 15 pm but I’m not sure if I can deal with all the hassle for another few years. please help me decide. and yes I use international roaming esim on my FU iphone so don’t really need to carry 2 phones but still its not exactly as reliable as a pta approved phone. The issue is that the 15 base is pretty good but it has 60hz screen and also it looks pretty similar to iphone 13. on the other hand 14 pro has mid battery life and lightning port so idk what I’m supposed to choose bw these two. could I get an 14 pm pta under 200k?

Starting uni and still can't decide on a laptop, any suggestions?

Can’t find it anywhere 😭

Google opening an office in Islamabad is a big milestone, but from what’s been announced, it appears to be more focused on policy, government relations, and supporting the local digital ecosystem rather than software engineering.

The bigger impact could be indirect — stronger IT exports, digital initiatives, and more investment in Pakistan’s tech ecosystem.

Do you think this could eventually lead to Google expanding its engineering presence in Pakistan, or will the office remain primarily focused on policy and ecosystem development?

I need a USA phone number for OTP verification i dont mind purchasing it if it recieves codes for sure someone please let me know.

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to simplify my setup and need some brutal, realistic advice on picking my next phone for the next 3–4 years.

Current Situation & Context
Current Phone: iPhone 13 Pro (Non-PTA).

The Problem: The two-phone struggle (iPhone + Jazz Digit hotspot) has become too inconvenient. I want one single, officially PTA-approved device.
Strict Constraints: No Non-PTA, No CPID/patch. Official PTA approval only.

Total Budget: ~120,000 PKR (including the resale value of my iPhone 13 Pro).
My Use Case & Priorities

Longevity & Peace of Mind: Must reliably last 3–4 years with consistent performance.

Camera: Great everyday photography and solid video recording (I shoot occasional product videos for work/projects).

Usage: Normal daily driving — WhatsApp, Google Maps, multitasking, browsing, and calls. Zero gaming.

Battery & Storage: Needs dependable all-day battery efficiency. Storage size isn't critical since I rely heavily on cloud storage.

Options Under Consideration & My Dilemma

1. Google Pixel 8 (or waiting for 9a)
   The Appeal: Love Pixel UI, clean stock software, and still photography.
   The Concern: The reports regarding Tensor G3 thermals, battery drain on mobile data, and weak cellular modems worry me, especially on local 4G networks in Pakistan.

2. Samsung Galaxy S23 (or Base S24)
   The Appeal: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the S23 is exceptionally efficient, has reliable cellular reception, and offers great video consistency coming from an iPhone.
   The Concern: Feels a bit conventional/safe compared to the Pixel's clean aesthetic.

3. Other Alternatives (Nothing Phone, OnePlus, etc.)
   Open to suggestions, though older flagships like the S23 or Pixel 8 seem to offer significantly better camera hardware for product videos.

Questions for the Community:

1. Pixel 8 owners in Pakistan: How has your real-world experience been with 4G cellular reception, thermals, and battery longevity?
2. Coming from an iPhone 13 Pro, is the S23 a noticeably better choice for video and peace of mind compared to the Pixel 8?
3. Given a strict 120k PKR budget and a 3–4 year timeline, what would you honestly get in my position?
4. What about pixel 9a or 10a considering the risks
   Thanks in advance for your insights!

I love the reliability these Chinese phones bring with them, but they are inherently not that attractive for me.

So i was ooking at other phoes n but none come close to this
Xiaomi 14 which is good size and also fast charging
flagship cameras main reason and also snapdragon 8 gen 3
and software is great as well i loved hyper os on my previous phones mi 13t which got snatched on gun point
so can anybody tell me or have any experience with Xiaomi 14 online approved cpid obviously.

Hey everyone, ​I’m writing this post because I’m in a dilemma. I had made up my mind to get the 17 Pro Max in a day or two. However, while scrolling through social media today, I started seeing multiple videos about issues with the 17 series mainly that battery health is decreasing quickly and the aluminum body gets dented easily. ​Then I came across a comparison video between the 16 and 17 series, which made me feel like the 16 Pro Max might be the better choice. But at the end of the video, the creator mentioned that the 16 series battery health also drops rapidly after 200 cycles. ​Now I’m very confused. Should I go for the 16 Pro Max or the 17 Pro Max? Would appreciate some advice from anyone using these devices!

Camera needs to be just decent, Main concern is general smoothness and performance, Brand new or used but it must be PTA Approved.

So I have this keeraa jiski waja se I have 7 debit cards and 1 credit card (freelancer problems), and obviously my CNIC and driver's license. I don't carry cash much anywhere so I don't really care much about that, but I need a good durable wallet which I can use for this! Anyone know any good leads? Would appreciate a lot!

City is Karachi, would prefer to get online.