Months after Trump Mobile promised a $500 gold “made-in-USA” T1 Phone, would-be buyers still have nothing in their hands.
> At a Glance
> – The $500 gold T1 Phone is not shipping this month
> – Trump Mobile blames the US government shutdown for the hold-up
> – $100 deposits are still being accepted despite no firm date
> – Why it matters: Early adopters face open-ended wait with no refund timeline
The delay keeps the T1 Phone in limbo after Trump Mobile first teased the device last summer alongside a $47.45-a-month phone plan.
From “Made in USA” to Missing in Action
When the brand launched in June, it vowed the handset would be “built in the USA” and on sale by August 2025. Faced with evidence that large-scale domestic phone manufacturing is nearly impossible, the company quietly dropped that pledge.
Marketing language now calls the device “Proudly American” while the website lists only a vague “later this year” release window.
What Depositors Are Still Promised
Current specs advertised for the T1 Phone include:
- 6.25-inch AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh
- 256 GB storage plus micro-SD slot
- 50 MP main camera
- Gold-colored chassis
The site continues to collect $100 reservations even as customer support tells the Financial Times that a government shutdown has slowed delivery.
Meanwhile, Apple and Samsung Refurbs Fill the Void
While its own hardware stalls, Trump Mobile now sells refurbished rivals:
| Phone Model | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 128 GB | $629 |
| Galaxy S24 | 128 GB | $459 |
These listings appear alongside the still-unreleased flagship, underscoring the uncertain timeline for the T1 Phone.
Key Takeaways
- No release date after months of hype and $100 deposits
- Original “made in USA” claim has been walked back
- The company’s store now pushes refurbished competitors
- A government shutdown is the latest cited obstacle
Buyers holding out for the gold T1 Phone face an indefinite wait, with Trump Mobile offering no revised timeline or refund details.
