Türkiye’s locally developed smartphone project is taking shape, with its manufacturing location and planned launch period becoming clearer.

The smartphone being developed by Turk Telekom and ASELSAN is currently undergoing production and testing at a facility in Malatya, according to Turk Telekom CEO Ebubekir Şahin. Şahin provided the update during a meeting with journalists held in the United States as part of the Türkiye Investment Conference.

The device is planned to be positioned in the mid-to-upper market segment, with the aim of competing with established products in its category. The phone's design is being developed in Türkiye, while its manufacturing and testing are being carried out in Malatya.

Under the project, ASELSAN is expected to handle hardware and manufacturing, while Turk Telekom will be responsible for software, content, marketing, distribution and branding. The first phase is planned to use Android, followed by efforts to develop a locally developed operating system and, at a later stage, domestic chip technology.

Turk Telekom had previously announced an official strategic partnership with ASELSAN covering the development of locally produced smartphones, user devices and communications technologies.

The first smartphones are targeted for commercial launch in the first half of 2027.