Trump’s new $499 smartphone is gold, loud, and very on-brand

This seems like another merch-heavy licensing play.

by Kelechi Edeh

Updated June 17, 2025

Donald Trump’s business empire has sold sneakers, bibles, and even crypto. Now it’s moving into telecom with a mobile service and a shiny gold smartphone to match. Because... why not?

Known officially as Trump Mobile, the 5G wireless mobile service offers a monthly plan called “The 47 Plan” (a likely nod to Trump as the 47th U.S. president). The plan costs $47.45/month and includes unlimited talk, text, and data. It also throws in some extras like international calling to 100 countries, telehealth support, and roadside assistance.

To go with it, there’s the T1 Phone — a $499 Android device that comes in gold, features a U.S. flag etched on the back, a 50MP main camera, 5,000mAh battery, and runs Android 15 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Basically, solid midrange specs just wrapped in Trump branding.

But the thing is Trump Mobile is just an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), meaning it rents service from the big players (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile). So, you're basically getting the same coverage.

And while the 47 plan’s price is symbolic, it’s not a steal. Visible (Verizon’s budget brand) gives you similar unlimited service for $25/month. Mint Mobile clocks in at $30. Even the T1 phone, decent as it is, is far from the best deal you’ll find under $500 when you include the Google Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

So, when you think about it this isn’t about offering the best specs or the lowest price. Like Trump’s other ventures, from Truth Social to Trump-branded cologne, this seems like another merch-heavy licensing play — the kind that earned him over $8 million in 2024 alone.

For Trump's supporters, that might be enough. A lifestyle merch for a political base that wants to buy into the Trump universe.

But what does it say about tech when politics is the primary selling point? Whether you love it or laugh at it, Trump Mobile is here and like everything Trump, it’s not subtle. The gold T1 phone ships in August and pre-orders are live now.