Samsung Türkiye has launched an initiative to reorganize SCTs in cooperation with the public in order to increase access to smartphones.
Murat Azdemir, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Türkiye Mobile Business Unit, said that the smartphone sales that took place in Türkiye for 2024 remained constant on menstrual basis, but the total turnover increased. Azdemir, despite the stagnation in the global market, stressed that growth continues in developing countries. A total of 11 million smartphones were sold in 2024 in Türkiye, and in 2025, a similar course was expected to continue. On the tablet side, a balanced picture was observed with 1.5 million sales.
Azdemir said that Samsung has a share of 45 percent in the smartphone market in Türkiye and that this ratio reached 50 percent in the tablet category. In the global market, Samsung’s market share in smartphones is around 20 percent. Azdemir emphasized that the most important element that makes consumers to access technological products in Türkiye is the high taxation structure and therefore the SCT regulation came to the agenda.
Samsung recommends reorganization in SCT bars due to high taxation.
Azdemir stated that the works carried out with the public in order to reduce the burden of Special Consumption Tax on the consumer and reminded that this application was previously applied in the automotive sector. Azdemir expressed that consumers can reach a wider product range with the re -determination of SCT barem, and that this step is important for the revival of the market. Stating that they are in close cooperation with the public in this process, Azdemir said that every stakeholder is being studied on a model in which it can benefit without tax loss.
The exchange rate is one of the most impressed elements of smartphone prices. As of April 2025, US $ 1 is traded at approximately 38 TL. This causes the prices of imported devices to be affected by direct foreign exchange movements. Samsung says that it is trying not to reflect foreign exchange -based cost increases directly to the consumer, but the uncertainties in the sustainability of this strategy continue.
Although there is no growth in menstrual basis, interest in high -priced phones is increasing. The basis of this interest is the demand for artificial intelligence technologies and 5G -compatible devices. Samsung says that the demand for artificial intelligence devices has increased by 20 percent in the last year. This trend is expected to continue for 2025.
In addition, global trade policies also have a direct impact on the sector. Azdemir said that the ongoing trade war between the US and China reshaped the production and supply chains. The probability of Türkiye becoming a production center in this process is low. Because a strong infrastructure, qualified labor and scalable sub -industry network is needed.
Despite everything, Samsung states that he prefers not to reflect the cost increases in production processes to the consumer immediately. In order to make this approach sustainable, exchange rate stability is of great importance. The fact that the biggest determinant of prices in the Turkish market is the exchange rate is emphasized again. As long as it is not supported by tax regulation, it becomes difficult to provide price stability.
In addition, Samsung is not limited to tax regulations and continues to contact the public on consumer financing. It is stated that issues such as installment limits, credit facilities and financing models directly affect device sales. In this respect, more accessible financial models in favor of the consumer are planned to be commissioned. The common purpose of all these initiatives is both the revival of the sector and the protection of the purchasing power of the consumer.
Samsung’s arrangement for SCT SAREMA may be a critical turning point for the technology market in Türkiye. With the regulation, it is aimed to provide flexibility in pricing policies, to increase device access and to break the stagnation in the sector. How the public will approach this process will be shaped in the coming periods. All these developments will closely affect the future of the mobile technology ecosystem in Türkiye.