Data from the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) revealed that phone sales in Turkey decreased significantly in the first six months of 2025. The number of phones registered in BTK’s Mobile Device Registration System (MCKS) fell to its lowest level in two years. Phone manufacturers are required to register all devices they sell with this system.

Smartphone sales are declining

In the first six months of 2025, the total number of phones registered in the system, including company and consumer IMEI registrations, was announced as 5,313,000. This figure represents a significant decrease compared to previous years.

In the same period of 2024, the number of phones with IMEI registrations was 5,506,000. In the first six months of 2023, this number was 6,092,000. Accordingly, the number of registrations in the first six months of 2025 is: This represents a decrease of approximately 200,000 units compared to 2024 and approximately 775,000 units compared to 2023. This data indicates a decline in interest in phones.

Among registered phone brands, Samsung ranked first with 1,738,000 units. Apple followed with 1,712,000 units and Xiaomi/Redmi with 752,000 units.

While phone sales are declining, there is a significant increase in the “other devices” category, where IMEI registrations are required. This category, which includes devices such as smartwatches, tablets, and modems, saw a more than 35% increase in the first six months of 2025, from 1,810,000 units registered in the first six months of 2024 to 2,455,000 units.

With this increase, the total number of devices with registered IMEI numbers increased by 452,000 compared to the same period last year, from 7,316,000 to 7,768,000. While interest in phones is declining, interest in other devices like smartwatches, smart home systems, and industrial IoT devices is growing.