World

Sharp rise in prices of smartphones burdens consumers in Karachi

• Average cost of mobile phone with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage has risen to around Rs40,000 compared to Rs22,000 a few months ago • Dealers say while govt taxes have not increased significantly, rising cost of chips is affecting rates of new handsets • Market survey shows lower, middle-income groups hit hardest • Consumers say abrupt price hike hampers connectivity in digital age KARACHI: A sharp rise in mobile phone prices in the city has made new smartphones almost unaffordable for a large numbe