Trump’s gold T1 phone still missing as launch delay drags on

Tech enthusiasts are once again asking the same question: where is Trump’s much-hyped mobile phone? Months after its flashy announcement, the T1 Phone 8002, dubbed the “Trump Phone”, has yet to hit the shelves, and the silence from Trump Mobile has only deepened the mystery.

The T1, a gold-coloured mid-range Android handset, was unveiled in June alongside the Trump Mobile wireless plan, which promised users a $47 monthly package, a nod to Donald Trump’s status as the 47th and 45th US president. The Trump Organization initially promised an August launch in its press release, later shifting the date to September on its website. When that too passed, a spokesperson told USA Today the release had been pushed to October.

Now, with October behind us, the phone is still nowhere to be seen. Trump Mobile’s official social media accounts have gone quiet since August 28, shortly after they posted and then deleted an image of a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra that was being passed off as the T1. Since then, the company has not responded to any media queries or requests for updates.

Silence and shifting promises

In recent weeks, tech analysts and consumers alike have grown doubtful about whether the Trump-branded phone will ever see the light of day. The official store page has quietly updated its wording to promise a release “later this year”, which gives the company just two months to keep that claim alive. Interestingly, this change came around the same time the company dropped its earlier statement that the T1 would be manufactured in the United States.

Experts had already questioned that claim months ago, calling it “virtually impossible” to build a smartphone entirely within the US. Industry watchers pointed out that while the T1 was marketed as a patriotic product, it was unclear which company would actually be responsible for manufacturing it.

A crowded and sceptical market

Priced at $499, the T1 phone aims to compete in a market already dominated by Apple and Samsung. With the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 expected to lead sales, many wonder if Trump Mobile can attract serious buyers or if the project is simply another attempt to monetise the Trump name.

As of now, both consumers and analysts remain in the dark. Trump Mobile’s silence has left many speculating whether the gold T1 will ever move beyond its promotional images and into the real world. Until then, the “Trump Phone” remains a talking point, not a product.