Trump Mobile’s Trump-branded “T1” gold smartphone was pitched as a $499, “Made in USA” alternative to iPhones — but as of Jan. 13, 2026, it’s still missing. Here’s what’s known about the delays, deposit refunds, shifting “American-made” claims, and what to watch next.
Jan. 13, 2026 — The gold smartphone that was supposed to headline Trump Mobile’s big entrance into consumer tech remains the product nobody can actually buy — despite months of pre-orders and a $100 upfront deposit requirement.
The “T1” phone (sometimes referenced as the “T1 Phone 8002”) was unveiled last year alongside Trump Mobile’s monthly wireless plan, but repeated missed timelines have pushed the device into 2026 with no confirmed ship date and a growing chorus of consumer questions — especially around whether buyers can get their money back. ( AP News)
Today’s coverage is leaning hard into that uncertainty. Several outlets published fresh updates on Jan. 13 focusing on refund fears and the still-unanswered question at the center of the story: where is the phone? ( International Business Times UK)
What’s new today, Jan. 13: Refund talk intensifies as the phone remains “later this year”
New reporting today frames the T1 saga as moving from “delay” into “consumer trust test,” with multiple articles focusing on refund expectations and what pre-order customers can realistically do next. ( International Business Times UK)
One widely shared update claims an unusually large number of buyers have already placed $100 deposits. But there’s an important caveat: that specific figure has not been confirmed by major U.S. outlets in the reporting available, and the company has not publicly provided verified preorder totals. Treat any viral “deposit count” as unverified unless corroborated by primary reporting or an official release. ( Hindustan Times)
Meanwhile, the Trump Mobile website continues to invite customers to “get in line” with a $100 payment while listing shipping timing in broad terms rather than a firm date. ( Trumpmobile)
Quick refresher: What is Trump Mobile — and what is the T1 “gold phone”?
Trump Mobile launched as a self-branded wireless service paired with a signature $499 smartphone, with marketing positioned toward conservative consumers and “patriotic” branding. ( Reuters)
Key details that have been consistently reported:
- Phone price: $499 (with a $100 deposit used for pre-orders). ( Reuters)
- Wireless plan price: $47.45 per month (the “47 Plan”). ( Reuters)
- Structure: Trump Mobile is not presented as a traditional carrier building its own network infrastructure; it operates in a way consistent with a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) arrangement. ( Reuters)
- Brand licensing disclaimer: Trump Mobile’s own terms include language stating the products/services are not designed, developed, manufactured, distributed, or sold by the Trump Organization, and that the “Trump” name is used under a limited license. ( Trumpmobile)
The central problem: The T1 phone missed 2025 — and still hasn’t arrived in 2026
When the product was introduced in mid-2025, the T1 phone was discussed with a late-summer/early-fall target window. ( Reuters)
But by early January 2026, major outlets reported the device still hadn’t shipped, and the company was offering no clear public timeline beyond vague language like “later this year.” ( AP News)
In recent days, multiple reports citing customer-service conversations have pointed to late January 2026 as a potential shipping timeframe — often with explanations tied to the 2025 government shutdown and references to regulatory issues. ( Business Insider)
CES 2026 cameo that never happened: “I can’t find the Trump phone”
A key moment fueling skepticism this month: Trump Mobile’s T1 phone was notably absent from CES 2026, the largest U.S. consumer tech show.
A Verge report described searching the CES floor and exhibitor information and finding no visible Trump Mobile presence — no booth, no press event, and no listing — despite CES being a predictable venue for any company trying to legitimize a new handset launch. ( The Verge)
That absence doesn’t prove a product can’t exist. But in the smartphone business — where even small brands often show prototypes, mockups, or at least partner announcements — silence plus repeated missed dates tends to amplify questions fast. ( The Verge)
The “Made in USA” claim changed — and that shift became part of the story
One reason this phone drew intense scrutiny from the start was the claim that it would be “Made in the USA” (or language strongly implying U.S. manufacturing) while also coming in at $499 — a price point that would be unusual for a newly built domestic smartphone supply chain. ( Business Insider)
Not long after launch, reporting documented a change in the language used on Trump Mobile’s website, swapping direct “made” or “built” claims for vaguer patriotic phrasing such as “American-Proud Design” and “American hands behind every device.” ( The Verge)
This isn’t just semantics: “Made in USA” has specific consumer expectations, while “designed with American values in mind” is marketing language that does not clearly state where the device is actually manufactured or assembled. ( The Verge)
Specs on paper — and why analysts keep calling them “mysterious”
On the spec sheet, the T1 phone has been described as a modern Android device with features like a large display, high refresh rate, a 50MP main camera, and a large battery. ( Reuters)
But multiple reports have flagged inconsistent or incomplete information, including shifting listed specs (for example, changes in the display size) and continued missing clarity on key components like the processor. ( New York Magazine)
That matters because in smartphones, the chipset determines performance, modem behavior, software support, and long-term security updates — and it’s a basic detail most legitimate phone launches disclose early.
What Trump Mobile is selling right now
Even without the T1 phone in customers’ hands, Trump Mobile has continued to sell:
1) The monthly wireless plan
The company’s main website markets a $47.45/month plan with features such as unlimited talk/text/data, hotspot, eSIM/physical SIM options, international calling, and add-on services like roadside assistance and telehealth. ( Trumpmobile)
2) Other devices — including refurbished phones
Multiple outlets have reported that Trump Mobile has offered refurbished Samsung and Apple devices in the meantime. ( AP News)
This is a common move for MVNOs and phone retailers — but in the context of a heavily marketed signature “gold phone,” the pivot has also been read as a sign the flagship launch is still not locked in.
Refunds: Here’s what the company’s own terms say
Refund expectations are the biggest practical issue for many early buyers — and it’s where the fine print matters.
Trump Mobile’s Terms of Use include a prominent “ALL SALES FINAL” section stating that, unless otherwise indicated (or at the company’s discretion case-by-case), “all sales are final and non-refundable.” ( Trumpmobile)
The same document also states disputes are generally subject to mandatory arbitration rather than going to court (with limited exceptions, such as small claims). ( Trumpmobile)
That doesn’t automatically answer every question about deposits, timelines, or what happens if a product never ships — but it does set expectations about how the company frames refunds and disputes.
If you’ve placed a deposit (or are considering one), the safest approach is to:
- Read the current terms on the day you order, not just screenshots from launch week. ( Trumpmobile)
- Save copies of your confirmation emails and receipts.
- Use payment methods that provide consumer protections (for example, credit cards often have dispute processes — policies vary by issuer and jurisdiction).
The politics-and-regulation subplot: Why this phone keeps drawing extra attention
Telecom is regulated — and Trump Mobile’s branding makes it politically charged in a way most MVNO launches are not.
Reuters previously reported that House Democrats raised concerns about the relationship between Trump Mobile and major carriers, describing Trump Mobile as being powered by Liberty Mobile Wireless and questioning the ethics and regulatory implications of ties between a carrier and a sitting president’s branded service. ( Reuters)
Reuters also noted early uncertainty around which entity was providing network service and highlighted how unusual it is for a sitting president’s name to be attached to a regulated mainstream service. ( Reuters)
What to watch next
As of Jan. 13, 2026, there are three near-term signals that matter most:
- Does the T1 actually ship by late January?
Multiple reports cite customer-service reps suggesting an end-of-January window, but there has been limited public, official detail. ( Business Insider) - Do product details stabilize?
Consistent specs, clear manufacturer/assembly info, and normal certification disclosures would reduce skepticism quickly. ( New York Magazine) - Does the company clarify refunds for deposits explicitly?
Today’s coverage shows refund anxiety is becoming a defining part of the story. ( International Business Times UK)
FAQ: Trump Mobile T1 “Gold Phone” in 2026
Is the Trump Mobile T1 phone available to buy today?
Not as a shipped, in-hand consumer phone. As of early 2026, major outlets report it has not been delivered to customers, while the company continues to take deposits. ( AP News)
How much is the deposit?
Reporting and the company’s marketing indicate a $100 upfront payment for pre-orders, with the remainder due later. ( Business Insider)
Is the T1 phone “Made in the USA”?
The company’s language has shifted over time from more direct “made/built” implications to vaguer “American-proud” phrasing, and outlets have questioned what the current claims mean in practical manufacturing terms. ( The Verge)
Are refunds guaranteed?
The company’s Terms of Use state that, unless otherwise indicated or granted at its discretion, sales are “final and non-refundable.” ( Trumpmobile)
