A new domestic smartphone developed through a partnership between Turkish defense contractor Aselsan and telecommunications provider Turk Telekom is scheduled to reach the market in the first half of 2027. Türk Telekom Chief Executive Officer Ebubekir Sahin provided updated details on the final stage of the Turkish mobile project, which will undergo assembly in the eastern city of Malatya.
Under the joint initiative, Aselsan will take responsibility for the device hardware engineering and physical manufacturing processes, while Turk Telekom will manage software development, digital content, commercial distribution, and marketing. The companies plan to utilize promotional and distribution experience gained from TOGG, Turkey's national electric vehicle manufacturer, to drive the handset's commercial rollout.
Aselsan, based in Ankara, is Turkey's primary electronics defense company, specializing in military communications, radar systems, and advanced hardware manufacturing. Turk Telekom operates as the country's major telecommunications carrier, offering nationwide fixed-line, broadband, and mobile network services. TOGG, which launched Turkey's first domestic electric car, previously established an end-to-end direct sales and delivery framework across the country.
Software transition and domestic hardware roadmap
Sahin explained that the handset design was completed entirely within Turkey, with plans to progressively increase the proportion of domestically manufactured components over time. The smartphone will run on Google's Android operating system during its initial year on the market. A custom Turkish domestic operating system will replace Android in the second year, followed by the planned production of a locally designed processor chipset in the third year.
Engineers are aiming for competitive performance standards, focusing specifically on battery endurance and camera capabilities. The smartphone will be released in three distinct market tiers, covering mid-range, upper-tier, and premium consumer segments.
Final naming and presidential presentation
To select a name for the device, project organizers are conducting surveys and tests to collect phonetically strong suggestions with broad international appeal. The finalized brand name will be selected following a formal presentation to the President of Turkey at the end of 2026.
The selection of Malatya as the primary production site locates the manufacturing hub in Eastern Anatolia, an industrial region that has received expanded investments in technology and manufacturing infrastructure. The industrial facility in Malatya will manage the assembly lines as the domestic component ratio expands across subsequent production phases.
