Verge journalist handles rare Trump T1 amid ongoing delivery delays
A recent hands-on encounter confirms the Trump T1 is a plastic-backed Android handset with a gold finish, while most preordered units remain unshipped nearly a year after announcement.
A journalist from The Verge has obtained a rare unit of the Trump T1 smartphone, providing the first physical confirmation of the device’s specifications amidst persistent delivery failures. The encounter occurred during an in-person meeting with a tech enthusiast, allowing the reporter to handle the handset for several minutes. The device, which was announced almost a year ago, has yet to reach most customers despite preorders opening at that time.
The Trump T1 is identified as a midrange Android device manufactured by HTC, a fact previously corroborated by iFixit. The handset features a plastic back panel and curved sides similar to previous Motorola Edge models. It is finished in a gold colour treatment that the journalist described as appearing "pee-ish" under certain lighting conditions. The rear of the device displays a large American flag and a "Trump Mobile" inscription.
The smartphone comes with Truth Social preinstalled, although the software can be uninstalled by the user. The packaging includes a small, printed user manual. The device is distinct from other luxury phones encountered by the journalist, specifically a one-of-a-kind solid gold iPhone custom-engraved with images of the Hindu gods Ram and Hanuman by YouTuber Technical Guruji.
Availability remains a significant point of contention. The Trump T1 was expected to begin shipping to customers last month, but most preordered units have not yet been dispatched. The journalist, who preordered the device almost exactly a year ago, has not received their unit. It appears that only a small number of reporters and influencers have managed to obtain the phone, with the exact number of distributed units remaining unclear.
The contrast between the Trump T1 and the solid gold iPhone highlights the disparity in the luxury tech market. While the iPhone represents a heavy, custom-engraved work of art, the Trump T1 is described as fairly light and typical of midrange Android hardware. For now, the Trump T1 remains slightly more accessible than a solid gold phone, but significantly less available than a standard consumer device.
