Trump T1 Phone: How to Make a Cheaper, Better Version With This Samsung Galaxy

Recently, The Trump Organization unveiled its own mobile phone service, Trump Mobile, along with its inaugural handset, the T1.

The T1 design has sparked mixed reactions, resembling either a luxurious bar of gold or a subpar yellow phone, depending on one’s perspective. Its standout features include an uneven bezel and an unconventional arrangement of camera lenses spaced wider apart than a deer’s eyes.

Trump Mobile

The main selling point was the phone’s “Made in the USA” label, proudly advertised on the website. However, doubts arose regarding this claim, leading to a shift to a more ambiguous statement of being “brought to life right here in the USA.”

Rumors from leaker Max Weinbach suggest that the T1 may be based on the Wingtech Revvl 7 Pro, potentially being manufactured in one of three Chinese cities.

According to Wired, the only phone entirely made in America is the Liberty Phone from Purism, retailing around $2,000. The likelihood of the T1 undergoing a similar bespoke manufacturing process at a mid-range price is questionable.

With the country of origin concern addressed, why not craft your own version of the Trump T1 phone for less?

Here’s what you’ll need.

1. A budget handset

Begin by identifying a handset comparable to the T1.

The Trump Mobile site reveals some specs of the phone, excluding details on the processor crucial for performance and user experience. Despite lacking this information, key specs include:

• 6.8-inch AMOLED screen
• 120Hz refresh rate
• 50Mp main camera
• 5000mAh battery
• 256GB internal storage

While these specs are typical of a $499 phone, many cheaper alternatives offer similar or superior features.

Leaker Max Weinbach hints at the T1’s resemblance to Wingtech’s Revvl 7 Pro. Comparisons on GSMArena suggest a potential hybrid model between this and the standard Revvl 7.

The Revvl 7 priced at £162/$218 and the Revvl 7 Pro at £196/$264, significantly lower than the T1’s £372/$499. However, reviews describe the Revvl 7 Pro as just a “decent affordable phone.”

For a better experience, consider the previous year’s Samsung Galaxy A35 at £339/$399.99, offering comparable or enhanced specs:

• One UI 6.1 (based on Android 14) with software updates until 2029
• 6.6-inch display, 2340×1080, AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
• In-display fingerprint sensor
• Exynos 1380 processor
• 6GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Cameras:

  • 50Mp main sensor
  • 8Mp ultrawide
  • 5Mp macro
  • 13Mp selfie camera

• Up to 4K @ 30fps rear video
• Dual-SIM
• Micro-SD card slot
• 5000mAh battery
• 25W charging
• 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm
• IP67 water and dust resistance

2. A picture of a flag

Observing the T1 render, questions arise regarding the duplicated time display on the home screen and the potential for patriotic wallpapers. While replicating these features precisely may be challenging, snapping a blurry flag photo gets you halfway there.

3. A gold phone case

To capture the essence of a Trump phone, opt for a shimmering gold phone case. Visit Temu and acquire a “stylish and elegant” gold case for just £2.55.

Temu

For a touch of authenticity, invest £4.19 in gold spray paint from Amazon. Even without the case, your phone will exude sophistication, or at least a close resemblance to it.

Total cost

By our calculations, a DIY Trump phone kit should not exceed £205/$275. Opting for the mid-range Samsung Galaxy A35, the total cost should reach around £350/$410, inclusive of a can of spray paint.

For a superior alternative, explore our guides on the best budget and mid-range phones for a worthwhile investment.