(Credit: Trump Mobile)
UPDATE: In response to the website changes, a spokesperson for Trump Mobile said: "The T1 phones are proudly being made in America. Speculation to the contrary is simply inaccurate. We’re excited to launch the phones later this year, but in the meantime, anyone can switch to Trump Mobile now with their current phones by visiting trumpmobile.com."
Original story:
Trump Mobile appears to be backtracking on its plan to offer a US-made Trump-branded smartphone. The company’s website originally said the upcoming T1 phone "isn't just powerful—it's proudly made right here in the USA." But on Wednesday, The Verge noticed that the marketing claims are now more vague, describing the phone as having an "American-Proud Design."
"The T1 Phone isn’t just powerful—it’s brought to life right here in the USA. With American hands behind every device, we bring care, precision, and trusted quality to every detail,” the product page now says. The phone's screen size has also been changed from 6.8 to 6.26 inches.
Trump Mobile didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. A company spokesperson previously told PCMag that “manufacturing will be in Alabama, California, and Florida."
Despite the claim, mobile phone experts doubt that Trump Mobile can produce a homegrown smartphone without paying a fortune for factories and component manufacturing. Instead, analysts predict Trump Mobile will source the phone from a Chinese manufacturer, and then add some modifications in the US before selling the device to consumers.
One company that could help Trump Mobile build a homegrown smartphone is Purism, a California firm that makes the Liberty Phone. The phone is assembled in the US and features US-made electronics. But even Purism has had to source some components from Asia to produce a phone that currently sells for $1,999—far more than other flagship phones.
In the meantime, the $499 T1 phone is slated to launch sometime “later this year,” according to the site, when it previously pegged the release date as September. The Trump family’s actual involvement in the product might be limited. In a press release from last week, the Trump organization said a company called “T1 Mobile LLC” has entered into a licensing agreement to merely use the Trump name for both the cellular service and the upcoming phone.
"Trump Mobile, its products and services are not designed, developed, manufactured, distributed or sold by The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals," the press release added.