Trump's gold-plated smartphone can't seem to decide which design to copy
- Reference: 1755886567
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/08/22/trump_t1_samsung_spigen/
- Source link:
Trump Mobile posted an [1]ad on X Wednesday reminding people that the now-described-as "gold finish" T1 smartphone was still coming soon. The company [2]promised in June to have the phone out by August or September, depending on whether you paid attention to the Trump Mobile website or a press release from the Trump Organization.
Eagle-eyed X users were quick to add a [3]note to the Trump Mobile post pointing out that the photo included in the ad was pretty obviously a Samsung Galaxy [4]S25 Ultra in a case from smartphone accessory maker Spigen – you can zoom in on the photo in the post and clearly see the Spigen logo under the US flag on the device.
[5]
Trump Mobile enters its Samsung era with the latest T1 ad - Click to enlarge and play spot the Spigen
So maybe Spigen has partnered with Trump Mobile on the T1. There's no way a company led by the family of a US president would be so lazy with its photoshopping job, right?
Spigen begs to disagree. "??? bro what," Spigen's X account [6]posted in response to the original post. We reached out to the casemaker to see whether it has any involvement. We haven't heard back, but that response on X seems fairly clear.
Will the real T1 please stand up?
So, if the T1 smartphone isn't a white gold-labeled Samsung, then what exactly is it?
Well, if you were to look at an ad for the T1 [7]from June you might be tricked into thinking it's going to look just like an [8]iPhone 16 Pro .
[9]
Behold, the T1 Smartphone Mark 2, a.k.a., the iTrump - Click to enlarge
Or go back to the [10]original photo of the device for a third design that, while having the three-camera configuration of an iPhone, lacks other features, suggesting it's a different device entirely.
[11]
The Trump Mobile T1 smartphone, Mark 1 - Click to enlarge
Then there's the change in language from the T1's page on Trump Mobile's website. In June, it called the T1 "proudly designed and built in the United States." The T1 of late August is now a device "designed with American values in mind" that is "brought to life right here in the USA" with "American hands behind every device." There's also no longer a mention of when the T1 is coming out on the product's page, with the only indication of its delivery being a statement that it will be released "later this year."
[12]Trump campaign arms up with 'unhackable' phones after Iranian intrusion
[13]Trump tariff turmoil hurting global smartphone market, but hitting US hardest
[14]Anarchy in the AI: Trump's desire to supercharge US tech faces plenty of hurdles
[15]Trump does a 180 on Intel chief following White House meeting
Given the company can't seem to settle on which popular smartphone to rip off for the T1's design, we can understand the need to push back the launch date. We reached out to Trump Mobile to get some answers, but didn't hear back. ®
Get our [16]Tech Resources
[1] https://x.com/TrumpMobile/status/1957955640565068159
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/16/trump_mobile_launches/
[3] https://x.com/i/birdwatch/t/1957955640565068159
[4] https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra/buy/galaxy-s25-ultra-256gb-unlocked-sm-s938uakaxaa/
[5] https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/08/22/trump-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s25u.jpg
[6] https://x.com/spigen/status/1958570471022370864
[7] https://x.com/TrumpMobile/status/1939318604459069440
[8] https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-16-pro
[9] https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/08/22/trump-mobile-iphone.jpg
[10] https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/06/16/trump-phone.jpg
[11] https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/06/16/trump-phone.jpg
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/14/trump_unhackable_phones/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/04/trump_tariff_turmoil_affecting_global/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/20/opinion_us_govt_ai/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/12/trump_intel_meeting/
[16] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Often heard opinions that iPhone users just buy their iPhone as a status symbol.
Now we have a phone here that people should buy to demonstrate their loyalty to Trump. The disadvantage is that they demonstrate to everyone who sees it that they are just sheeple following their great leader.
It won't be an iPhone, Cook's gifts to Trump notwithstanding. It's too secure and the profit margin on it will be too low after tariffs have been applied.
The latter, btw, is the irony of Trump tariffs. As most phones are made from components from outside the US and assembled elsewhere, the only time they'll be hit by tariffs is when they're imported. Ergo, the only people who pay are Americans. That said, no doubt this phone is probably going to get an exception from the grifter in chief.
Yeah but...
Does it come with a pre-installed App to report illegal immigrants ?
Surprised?
Normally, I would write something about this faltering launch being a symbol of Trump's "reign", blabla, etc.
But actually, this marketing failure looks rather good in comparison with actual policies. No life or limbs lost, neither US nor global economy impacted, no industries damaged, no wars.
Could we have more such initiatives?
Re: Surprised?
In other words, you are saying that this phone will never, ever, ever see the light of day?
On the other hand a number of acolytes have signed up and payed a deposit, which, presumably will/maybe be refunded when the phone doesn’t materialise, less, of course, the interest on those deposits which will end up being credited to a D.Trump controlled entity.
Tell me, just out of idle curiosity, what is the current cost to buy the US Presidency, And what is the profit margin on doing so?
Maybe it is never intended to come to market
Just get a bunch of suckers to prepay for 'reservations', and put up photos every once in a while. Whatever happens, his supporters will never blame him. It must be someone else's fault - probably the democrats! Yep, definitely Obama, Biden and Hillary Clinton conspiring to stop the Trump phone!
Re: Maybe it is never intended to come to market
The Chinese have refused to make it* as a way to rip off all the loyal Trump supporters who pre-ordered and pre-paid! They won't get their money back because the Chinese also refused to pay the tariffs** which means that there isn't any money for the refunds***.
But as a special thank-you gift, TrumpCo will send you a bottle of goldy-coloured paint and a "TrumpIt"(tm) sticker to paint your existing 'phone****; please send $79 for shipping.
* Mostly because nobody has issued a contract to ask them to make it
** On non-existent 'phones, and the Chinese were never liable for them
*** Just don't think about this too hard - or at all - nice obedient MAGA-men
**** Which is why the various ads show different models - whichever one you already own, that one Can Be Yours!
Grift.
True Grift
(With an AI generated Don Wayne in the lead role: “Just one more question, Pilgrim. How far up my ass do you want your tongue?”)
Trumpmobile! I heard he had a thing about being Pope, but maybe wanting his version of the Popemobile was what was all about!
No f'n way that flag's big enough.
They exude confidence in the longevity of their enterprise
T1 Mobile LLC uses the "Trump" name and trademark pursuant to the terms of a limited license agreement which may be terminated or revoked