A near-production model of the Trump Mobile T1 phone, shown to The Verge, reveals differences from advertised specs, including a new design and increased price. The device, initially promised as made in the US, is now assembled overseas with final steps in Florida. Launch details remain unclear amid past delays.
Trump Mobile, which launched in June 2025 offering a $47.45 monthly plan and refurbished Apple and Samsung devices priced from $369 to $629, has faced skepticism over its T1 smartphone. Originally set for an August 2025 release and touted as manufactured in the US, the project shifted after domestic production proved unfeasible. The company removed the "made in the US" claim from its site, now describing the phone as "Proudly American" without further details on its overseas manufacturing.
Executives from Trump Mobile recently displayed a prototype via video call to The Verge, highlighting discrepancies with the website's listings. The advertised specs include a 6.25-inch punch-hole AMOLED screen, a 50-megapixel main rear camera alongside two 2-megapixel lenses, a 16-megapixel front camera, a 5,000mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and 256GB of expandable storage. In contrast, the shown model features a larger screen with curved waterfall edges, a vertical camera array, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series processor, 512GB storage, and a 50-megapixel front camera. The T1 logo is expected to be removed before launch, though American flag imagery will remain.
Pricing has also changed: the site still promotes a $499 total cost with $100 deposits, but new buyers will face a higher, undisclosed amount under $1,000, while early depositors are secured at the original price. Delays stem from the company's decision to forgo an initial entry-level version for a more deliberate approach, as explained by executives. Production occurs in a "favored nation" with final assembly in Florida. The website, as of February 20, continues to state a release "later this year," unchanged from prior years, despite missing the end-of-2025 target. A March launch window is under consideration, though no firm date has been announced. Trump Mobile has not commented on the report.
