Should You Buy the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro? Here’s the Honest Review
July 30, 2026
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To use your Nothing Phone in Pakistan beyond the 60-day grace period, you must pay PTA tax based on the device’s FBR-assessed USD value. Registering on a Passport (under the personal baggage rule) exempts you from the Section 148 income tax, saving you up to 20% compared to a CNIC registration. For example, the Nothing Phone (2) incurs approximately Rs. 81,337 on a CNIC, while the budget-friendly CMF Phone 1 falls into a much lower tax bracket.
Nothing’s transparent designs, Glyph Interface, and seamless Nothing OS have carved out a dedicated fanbase in Pakistan. From tech enthusiasts in Lahore importing the flagship Nothing Phone (2) to students eyeing the highly competitive CMF Phone 1, the ecosystem is rapidly expanding.
However, importing or buying an unapproved international kit comes with a significant local friction point: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) compliance. Under the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS), any mobile device operating on local networks (Jazz, Zong, Ufone, Telenor) must be registered.
As of the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised mobile import tax slabs. While taxes on high-end flagships remain steep, mid-range devices like the Nothing Phone (2a) and CMF Phone 1 have seen slight regulatory relief. This guide breaks down exactly what you will pay, how the calculations work, and the step-by-step process to get your Nothing device permanently approved.
The PTA tax you pay depends on two factors: the phone’s Customs Assessed Value (CIF) in USD and your registration method.
Here is the updated 2026 tax estimation for the Nothing and CMF smartphone lineup. (Note: Because USD to PKR exchange rates fluctuate, these are closely estimated figures based on current FBR valuations).
| Device Model | FBR CIF Value (Est. USD) | Passport Tax (PKR) | CNIC Tax (PKR) |
| Nothing Phone (1) | $250 – $300 | Rs. 39,600 | Rs. 49,000 |
| Nothing Phone (2) | $550 – $650 | Rs. 68,500 | Rs. 81,337 |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | $300 – $350 | Rs. 32,500 | Rs. 41,500 |
| CMF Phone 1 | $180 – $199 | Rs. 14,800 | Rs. 18,500 |
Data grounded in 2026 FBR Mobile Tax Slabs and local market analysis. ( The Data can be very so check before any decision )
When you register a phone on a passport, the government classifies it as a personal baggage import brought in within 60 days of your arrival in Pakistan. This route exempts you from paying the Advance Income Tax (Section 148), which is mandatorily charged on commercial imports or standard CNIC registrations. If you or a relative recently traveled back to Pakistan, always use the passport route to save between Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 12,000 depending on the model.
To understand why a Nothing Phone (2) commands an Rs. 81,000 tax while a CMF Phone 1 is under Rs. 20,000, you need to understand the FBR tax slabs. Mobile taxes are not a flat percentage; they are a combination of fixed levies and percentage-based sales tax.
For smartphones, the taxes comprise:
The most critical threshold in Pakistani mobile taxes is the $500 mark.
If you have purchased an unapproved (“Non-PTA”) Nothing device, you have exactly 60 days from the moment you insert a local SIM before network access is permanently blocked.
Here is the exact procedure to generate your PSID and pay your tax legally:
If you are browsing local markets in Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad, shopkeepers might offer you a “Patch Approved” or “CPID” Nothing Phone at a heavily discounted rate.
As a Nothing user, you should strictly avoid patched phones.
Unlike older devices that could easily have their IMEIs rewritten, modern smartphones rely heavily on secure bootloaders and server-side verification.
The Verdict: Always buy an officially PTA-approved kit, or buy a Non-PTA kit and pay the official FBR tax yourself to ensure your warranty, software, and banking apps remain intact.
Yes, the Nothing Phone (2a) features a comprehensive suite of 5G bands. While Pakistan’s telecom networks currently operate on 4G LTE, your Nothing Phone (2a) is fully hardware-ready for local 5G rollouts when network operators upgrade their infrastructure.
Yes. The PTA DIRBS system only blocks access to local cellular networks (SIM cards). A Non-PTA Nothing device will function perfectly on Wi-Fi indefinitely. All apps, software updates, cameras, and the Glyph Interface will work normally.
No. When you initiate the DIRBS registration via *8484#, you input both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 in the same application. The tax calculated is for the single handset, covering both SIM slots. Never apply twice for the same phone.
If you fail to pay the generated PSID within the stipulated time, your device’s cellular antennas will be blocked by the network. To unblock it, you must generate a fresh PSID (which may reflect new, updated tax rates) and pay the amount. Once paid, the network will automatically unblock the device.
For the Nothing and CMF accessories check NothingAccessories.pk best and reliable source of Nothing product for 1 year .
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