The Trump Mobile T1 smartphone. Priced at $499. Has sparked controversy due to a misprinted U.S. flag with only 11 instead of 13 stripes — According to Spiegel, the gold-colored phone is marketed as a symbol of American innovation and patriotism, but its design has raised eyebrows. The flag, which appears on the back of the device, is missing two of the 13 stripes that represent the original colonies.

Delayed Launch and Uncertain Production

The T1 was initially scheduled to launch in August 2025, according to multiple sources. However, the release has been repeatedly postponed. According to El Mundo, the company has collected over $60 million in deposits from nearly 590,000 customers, yet has not delivered a single device. The company’s website explicitly states that it does not guarantee the production or delivery of the phone, adding to concerns about the legitimacy of the project.

Pat O’Brien, CEO of Trump Mobile, cited “intensive development and testing phases” as the reason for the delays, as reported by Joyn. Despite these explanations, the timeline for the phone’s release remains unclear. The company now says the device is “assembled in the USA,” down from its original claim of being “made in USA,” as reported by Spiegel.

Technical and Design Issues

Under its gold-colored shell, the T1 is believed to be based on the HTC U24 Pro, a mid-range Android device produced in Taiwan, according to WinFuture. The phone includes 512 gigabytes of storage and a Snapdragon 7 processor, running on Google’s Android 15 operating system. Notably, the pre-installed app Truth Social, a platform backed by the Trump campaign, is included by default.

Design flaws extend beyond the flag. According to Joyn, the flag’s color scheme is also inaccurate: while the original U.S. flag has a blue canton with white stars, the T1’s version features a black canton with black stars. The number of stars, which represent the 50 U.S. states, is correct, but the overall design has drawn criticism for its inaccuracy.

Public Response and Legal Concerns

The launch of the T1 has been met with both curiosity and skepticism. Some customers who pre-ordered the phone appear relieved simply to receive it, given the long delays. However, others have questioned the company’s ability to deliver on its promises. As noted by El Mundo, the company’s terms and conditions clearly state that there are “no guarantees of launch, delivery, or timelines,” which legally protects the company from potential liabilities.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign’s involvement in promoting the phone remains unclear. According to WinFuture, the U.S. administration has not confirmed whether President Trump personally uses the device. The phone’s marketing and branding, however, have been heavily supported by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as reported by Spiegel.

With a price tag of $499 and a deposit of $100, the T1 is a premium product by design, but its production and delivery remain uncertain. Whether it will gain traction in the competitive smartphone market remains to be seen.