This is the Trump Mobile

Where’s the Trump phone? We’re going to keep discussing it weekly. As always, we’ve reached out to inquire about the status of the Trump phone. Surprisingly, this time we got a reply — and an interview.

The Trump phone exists — perhaps, kind of, soon? — and I’ve witnessed it. Not in person, but during an hour-long video conference with two Trump Mobile executives who showcased a phone and explained more about its delays, anticipated buyer availability, and the consistent changes in its specifications.

I had a discussion with Don Hendrickson — yes, the individual who had apparently ignored me previously — and Eric Thomas, two of the three leaders managing Trump Mobile. The T1 Phone that Thomas displayed to me over Google Meet isn’t the final production version, but it’s reportedly close. The T₁ emblem — visible since the initial phone renders — is expected to be removed before its launch, yet the American flag at the bottom will remain, along with the distinct gold finish.

It’s evident at first glance that this isn’t the same device the company hinted at eight months prior. The iPhone-like camera arrangement has been substituted with three lenses aligned vertically in a black, oval formation, accompanied by the text “Trump Mobile.” On closer inspection, you’ll notice that those lenses are spaced unevenly.

The phone also varies in several aspects from both the model announced in June 2025 and the revised specification list that surfaced on the Trump Mobile site a couple of weeks later. It appears larger, with the “waterfall” display (curved screens are making a comeback) appearing closer to the originally promised 6.78-inch screen than the 6.25-inch version that was seen shortly after.

It will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 series chip, typically found in upper-mid-range devices, featuring a 5,000mAh battery, 512GB of storage, and compatibility with up to 1TB microSD cards. I’m not yet aware of the complete camera specifications, but I was informed that both the selfie camera and the primary rear camera utilize 50-megapixel sensors, and a preview of the camera interface indicates the likely inclusion of an ultrawide lens and possibly a telephoto lens, which weren’t documented previously.

“This actual phone does compare with the top-tier phones available this year,” Thomas states, further claiming it will rival “any phone priced over $1,000.” I’m not entirely convinced that’s accurate, considering that you can find similar specifications — including the 50-megapixel selfie camera — in the OnePlus Nord 5, which retails with 512GB storage in the UK for £499 — roughly $679. Much will rely on camera performance and whether it has premium features like waterproofing or wireless charging, which I do not know at this time. However, it’s true that various specifications — such as the selfie camera resolution, storage capacity, and the ultrawide lens — have been enhanced from the T1 Phone we encountered (or didn’t) at launch.

To reflect that purported enhancement in quality, a price increase is on the horizon. Hendrickson is keen to note that anyone who made a $100 deposit so far (he declined to disclose how many had done so) will still pay a total of $499, but they now regard that as an “introductory price.” Subsequent customers will pay a higher price, though the phrase “less than $1,000” is all they would confirm, and the final price is supposedly still under discussion.

Why all the alterations? According to Thomas and Hendrickson, the significant interest in the T1 Phone warranted improvements, leading them to adjust their long-term plans. “Let’s bypass our first entry-level device that we intended to introduce quickly,” Thomas articulates about the company’s strategy following the early media excitement. “Let’s take our time and proceed with what we originally intended as the next phase.”

They speculate that the decision to revise the phone’s specifications is a factor behind some, but not all, of its delays — the T1 Phone is now six months behind schedule for launch. Nevertheless, they assert that it’s forthcoming. The phone has apparently passed FCC certification (itself supposedly impeded by the government shutdown) and is now waiting for certification from T-Mobile, which is expected to complete around mid-March. After that, Thomas states that the company will be prepared to ship phones to early purchasers, although he’s reluctant to specify an exact date. For a device that was initially promised for August or September, then by the close of 2025, and still only declares “later this year” on the official website, I would approach any launch schedule with a hefty portion of skepticism.

Regardless, it appears we’ll have more updates shortly. The two executives assure that a Trump Mobile “relaunch” is forthcoming, and that within “the next couple of weeks,” the website will be refreshed with images of the final device and its technical specifications. Our extended wait is nearly over.

Of course, one thing the T1 Phone won’t be: produced in the USA. Instead, the units undergo “final assembly” in Miami, although Thomas is careful to avoid divulging too much about what that implies. It’s more than just “attaching a case to the device,” and apparently consists of assembling the final ten or so components. The duo won’t disclose where most of the phone is constructed prior to that, only stating it’s done in a “favored nation,” effectively indicating “not China.”

To label a product as “made in the USA,” it must adhere to specific standards, stipulated and enforced by the FTC. The Trump Mobile site instead currently guarantees that there are “American hands behind every device,” and Thomas says they selected this phrasing because they “want to be straightforward and not misleading to individuals at all.” He acknowledges that there “may have been an error on the website” during the launch (in this instance, a prominent homepage banner stating the T1 is “MADE IN THE USA” and a press release claiming it’s “proudly designed and built in the United States”), but since then “we’ve sort of moved away from that.”

Complete assembly in the US is still characterized by the pair as a “goal,” which they are supposedly working toward for upcoming devices like the T1 Ultra — yes, that’s purportedly real too, although they wouldn’t elaborate further on it.

I suppose we’ll have to continue waiting, but until then: The Trump phone is real (sort of), I’ve seen it (in a way), and it’s set to launch next month (perhaps).

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