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Trump Phone Looks Different, Has No Launch Date, Isn't Made in America

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Why This Matters

The Trump phone's development highlights the challenges of domestic manufacturing and supply chain issues in the tech industry, delaying its launch and raising questions about American-made claims. Despite certification progress, the device remains unreleased, emphasizing the complexities of bringing new smartphones to market. This situation underscores the importance of transparency and innovation in the evolving mobile landscape for consumers and industry stakeholders alike.

Key Takeaways

In mid-April, a redesigned Trump Mobile website finally showcased a new-look T phone, its third redesign. It followed Trump Mobile executives showing off a handset they said was a near-production version of the T1 phone to The Verge in early February. Among other appearance changes, the smartphone has a completely different camera array design.

Last week, The Verge reported that the T1 phone appears to have received PTCRB certification, which validates that it will work on operator networks. This brings the Trump phone another small step closer to its launch.

What will the Trump phone look like?

Trump Mobile launched in June 2025 with a $47.45-a-month mobile phone plan, and currently sells refurbished Apple and Samsung phones ranging from $369 to $629.

The Trump phone, initially announced to be made in the US, was supposed to launch in August 2025. But when it became obvious that domestic large-scale smartphone manufacturing would not be possible, Trump Mobile dropped the "made in the US" claim. Now, the site simply said it is "designed with American values in mind," an "American-proud design" and "shaped by American innovation."

The Verge reported in February that sellers were eyeing a March release window. That time frame has come and gone, and there's still no word on the T1 phone's release.

The website claims it will have a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen; a 50MP front-facing camera; a camera bump featuring a 50MP main lens, an 8MP wide lens and a 50MP (2X Tele) lens; a 5,000-mAh battery; a fingerprint sensor and AI face unlock; a Snapdragon mobile platform; and runs on Android.

The site is still accepting $100 deposits on the phone, which it continues to advertise as having a promotional price of $499.

As of May 1, no launch date has been announced online. Trump Mobile has not responded to CNET's repeated requests for comment over the past few months.

What have Trump Mobile execs said?

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