Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone Remains Vaporware, Now Pushes Overpriced Refurbs The promised T1 smartphone from Trump Mobile continues to not exist, a phantom product that customers have paid for but never received. Despite this, the company has devised a new method to generate revenue: selling overpriced refurbished phones from other brands. The company’s website now features listings for Renewed models of popular devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S23 and the iPhone 15 and 14. However, reporting has revealed that Trump Mobile is selling these used phones at prices equal to or higher than what major, established retailers charge for the same certified refurbished models. This move appears to be another attempt to monetize the venture while the flagship T1 remains in development limbo. The ongoing saga of the T1 phone underscores the project’s problems. A major news outlet placed an order for the device in August to monitor its progress. While the order was confirmed and the charge went through, the phone has never shipped. The company has provided little to no communication regarding the significant delay, failing to respond to multiple requests for comment on a release timeline or the reasons behind the holdup. This pattern follows earlier controversies surrounding the venture. At its launch, Trump Mobile prominently claimed the T1 would be made in the USA. That assertion was quickly met with widespread skepticism from industry analysts, given the immense complexity and global supply chain required for smartphone manufacturing. Shortly after facing scrutiny, the company quietly removed all made in the USA claims from its website without explanation. The current strategy of selling other companies’ refurbished phones at a premium, while failing to deliver on its own core product, paints a clear picture of a business model focused on cashing in rather than delivering genuine value or innovation. For potential customers, the message is evident: exercise extreme caution. The T1 remains an unfulfilled promise, and the company’s latest offering provides no unique benefit, simply serving as a more expensive avenue to purchase a used phone available elsewhere.
