After a year of delays and mounting frustration among supporters, Trump Mobile has finally begun shipping its much-anticipated gold-plated smartphone, the T1. Approximately 600,000 Americans who placed $100 deposits will now receive their devices, though the final product differs from initial promises.
Specifications and Price
Priced at US$499, the Trump Mobile T1 closely resembles the T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro 5G, a Chinese-manufactured phone that previously retailed for under $200 at Walmart. The T1 features a smaller screen and less memory than originally advertised, but retains the signature gold shell associated with former President Donald Trump's brand, according to CNN.
Delayed Multiple Times
Initially announced with a planned release in August 2025, the T1's launch was postponed to October 2025 and then indefinitely. The Daily Beast reported that Trump Mobile quietly altered pre-order terms, stating that the deposit "does not guarantee that a device will be produced or made available to purchase" and that the $100 fee represents a "conditional opportunity" to buy the phone "if" the company decides to market the device, as noted by Fortune.
Frustrated customers took to social media to express their discontent over the lack of updates. On Tuesday, Trump Mobile posted its first update in over six months on Facebook, announcing that the T1 would ship "this week." Comments were disabled, preventing consumer feedback. CEO Pat O'Brien told USA Today that the delays were necessary to ensure quality, adding, "Those delays were worth it in our minds as we are delivering an amazing product." In an interview with CNN, O'Brien acknowledged the challenges of the tech industry, stating that "parts must be tested for quality assurances." He assured that orders are being fulfilled as quickly as possible and anticipated completion within several weeks.
Not Made in the USA
Trump Mobile initially claimed the phone would be "Made in the USA," but later revised this to "designed with American values in mind." Shortly after the announcement, a community note on X pointed out that the T1 is a rebranded T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro 5G, manufactured in 2024 by Chinese company Wingtech/Luxshare in factories in Jiaxing, Wuxi, and Kunming, China.
The monthly data and voice plan costs $47.45, a likely nod to Trump's tenure as the 47th and 45th president of the United States, CNN reported.
