Trump Mobile’s T1 smartphone, dubbed as the $499 golden iPhone competitor, faced skepticism from experts right from the start. Initially announced in June with a projected release date of August or September, the T1 has yet to see the light of day.
Interested buyers had the option to secure their T1 with a $100 deposit, a deal that still stands today. However, as September came and went, the Trump Mobile website updated its release timeline to a vague “later this year.” Fast forward to 2026, and there is still no sign of the T1 phone. Despite the continued promise of a release “later this year,” it’s becoming increasingly unclear which year they are referring to. Doubts linger among potential buyers and industry experts regarding the actual existence of a Trump phone.
Originally marketed as a product made in the US, the T1’s branding has since shifted to being “Designed with American values in mind.” The current marketing pitch emphasizes an “American-Proud Design” that is supposedly brought to life in the USA.
The shift in claims did not surprise industry insiders, who are well aware of the complexities involved in manufacturing a smartphone. To meet the FTC’s stringent criteria for “Made in the USA” labeling, a product must have the majority of its components, processing, and labor sourced from the US. Given the challenges faced by industry giants like Apple in this regard, doubts were raised about Trump Mobile’s ability to navigate the intricate supply chain and logistical hurdles.
While the fate of the T1 remains uncertain, Trump Mobile’s 47 Plan is available to customers. This plan allows users to either utilize their existing phone or purchase a refurbished device from Trump Mobile while awaiting the elusive T1.
YouTuber Stetson Doggett put the 47 Plan to the test and shared his less-than-ideal experience. Transitioning to the plan took him five days and resulted in the loss of his original phone number, replaced by a random one. Priced at $47.95 per month for 20 GB of high-speed data, the 47 Plan can end up costing nearly $62 in certain regions due to taxes and fees — a steep price for an MVNO.
Doggett also discovered that once the initial 20 GB is depleted, Trump Mobile doesn’t throttle speeds but completely disables mobile data, disrupting features like MMS and RCS without warning or guidance on acquiring additional data.
Navigating the complexities of managing a mobile phone plan and developing a smartphone is no easy feat. While Trump Mobile may still have the potential to deliver a seamless experience and a distinct smartphone, it might be prudent to wait for them to iron out the kinks before committing. If the T1 never materializes, they could still offer the 47 Plan with refurbished smartphones as the only option.
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