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The Trump Mobile T1 Reality Check: New Design, Higher Costs, and Global Manufacturing
The saga of the Trump Mobile T1 smartphone has taken another dramatic turn. After months of radio silence and missed deadlines throughout late 2025, a new report from The Verge has pulled back the curtain on the "near-final" version of the device.
In an exclusive video briefing, Trump Mobile executives Don Hendrickson and Eric Thomas revealed that the T1 has undergone a total overhaul.
The "Uglier" Design: Form Follows Function?
The initial marketing for the T1 showcased a device that bore a striking resemblance to the iPhone Pro series, featuring a familiar square camera module.
Vertical Camera Stack: The iPhone-like module has been replaced by a vertical black oval "island" on the rear, containing three lenses in a misaligned stack.
Massive Display: The screen has grown from a 6.25-inch OLED to a much larger 6.8-inch "waterfall" curved display.
Stripped Branding: While the signature gold finish and American flag imagery remain, the large "T1" logo on the back has reportedly been removed for a cleaner (if more generic) look.
Critics have already begun labeling the new look as "clunky," noting that the vertical alignment lacks the sleekness of the initial renders.
Pricing: The $499 Door is Closing
One of the biggest draws of the T1 was its aggressive $499 price point. While that price isn't entirely gone, it is now becoming an exclusive tier.
Early Adopters: Executives confirmed that anyone who has already paid the $100 deposit will have their $499 total price honored.
New Customers: For those who haven't yet pulled the trigger, the "introductory" price is a thing of the past. Hendrickson indicated that future retail prices could climb significantly, potentially reaching as high as $999.
The "Made in USA" Pivot
Perhaps the most controversial update involves the phone’s origin. Initially marketed as "proudly designed and built in the United States," the T1 has faced the harsh reality of global supply chains.
Overseas Production: Executives admitted that the bulk of manufacturing is now occurring in a "favored nation" (widely believed to be China).
Miami Assembly: To maintain an American connection, the company now claims "final assembly" occurs in Miami, Florida.
This usually involves snapping together the final few components or packaging the device. Slogan Change: The website now uses the more legally ambiguous phrase "with American hands behind every device" rather than claiming the device is American-made—a distinction necessary to avoid trouble with the FTC.
Technical Specs: A Mid-Range Powerhouse
To justify the potential $999 price tag, Trump Mobile has boosted the internal hardware.
| Feature | Original Spec (2025) | New Final Spec (2026) |
| Processor | Unspecified Budget Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series |
| Storage | 256GB | 512GB (Expandable up to 1TB) |
| Display | 6.25-inch | 6.8-inch Waterfall Curved |
| Main Camera | 50MP | 50MP |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP | 50MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
When Can You Actually Buy It?
As of February 2026, the T1 is still not in customers' hands. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The device is currently undergoing T-Mobile carrier certification, a process expected to conclude by mid-March.
Whether the "golden phone" can live up to the hype—or if its shifting promises have already alienated its core audience—remains to be seen.