Latest news with #TrumpMobile
Bloomberg
12 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump Mobile Pulls 'Made in USA' Claim
The Trump Mobile, a phone company, has removed language from its website claiming that its phone is made in the USA. Bloomberg's Ed Ludlow gives an update on the company's claim and what could be behind it. (Source: Bloomberg)
Washington Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Trump Mobile's phone service actually exists and it works
When President Donald Trump's family business announced its new wireless company early last week, I was stuck in customer purgatory that made me doubt it was real. I now have personal proof that Trump Mobile's wireless service exists and it's fine. In my testing, it's basically T-Mobile with a Trump-branded sheen. There are more questions about Trump Mobile's promised T1 smartphone. The company's website has altered its language about some phone details, including dropping that it's 'made in the USA.' A Trump Mobile spokesman told me that the company has facilities in the United States to put together the T1 phone, and that it's looking at a late summer launch. Mostly, my Trump Mobile experience offers a guide to test-driving alternatives to America's big three mobile behemoths of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. A new analysis suggests that switching to an alternative — though maybe not Trump Mobile — could save you hundreds of dollars a year. It's easier than ever to flirt with other phone carriers without divorcing your current one. Many newer smartphones have the option of 'eSIMs,' or virtual instructions to communicate with a wireless carrier. With an eSIM, you can almost instantly turn on a mobile carrier's service in addition to the one you're already using. The secondary option will have a different phone number. That's how I got started with Trump Mobile, but you can try it for most other carriers. After three days of limbo when I couldn't turn on the Trump Mobile service I was charged for, I finally got a customer service email with a QR code and instructions to activate the mobile service via an eSIM on my iPhone 13 Mini. (For iPhones, eSIMs are typically available for models from 2018 onward. Many Samsung and other Android phones let you use eSIMs, too.) With a couple of taps, I turned on Trump Mobile and temporarily turned off the current Verizon service. For now, that means I would pay for both. Trump Mobile charged $64.70 a month including unspecified fees, which likely makes it among the most expensive alternative providers. Next I used two apps, from Ookla and Opensignal, to track the wireless internet speeds I was getting from Trump Mobile at home, my office and around New York City. To compare, I tapped off the Trump Mobile service on my phone, turned Verizon back on and re-ran the speed tests. The mobile data speeds were often as good or better than what I was seeing when my iPhone was connected to Verizon, though occasionally much worse. Your mileage may vary. Based on my tests for the past week, Trump Mobile works fine for me. That shouldn't be surprising. Alternative providers like Trump Mobile, Mint Mobile, U.S. Mobile and the cable-and-internet companies Xfinity and Spectrum pay to use the big three carriers' networks. Trump Mobile appears to use the T-Mobile network. (The Trump Mobile spokesman said customers have a choice of the big three networks. I wasn't given that option.) If you have a good experience with T-Mobile where you live, that suggests you could also have good coverage with Trump Mobile or other carriers that use T-Mobile's network like Mint, Google Fi and Ting. Stephen Brodeur, a mobile industry expert with the wireless price comparison site Navi, told me that real-world test-drives of a mobile provider, as I'm doing with Trump Mobile, is the best way to know if it will work well for you. Brodeur also said trying phone calls is essential to stress test a mobile provider. If you decide to switch to an alternative wireless provider, you have the legal right to transfer your mobile number. You might need to pay off your smartphone if your current bill includes monthly device payments. The cost savings of switching can be huge. For example, if you have one phone line on Verizon's $72-a-month Unlimited Welcome plan and upgrade to a free iPhone 16, Navi calculates that you'd pay about $2,574 over three years. If you switched to a comparable Spectrum Mobile plan, you'd pay nearly full price for the iPhone 16 from the carrier, but your monthly bill would be $30 at most. Over three years, Navi calculates you'll save about $1,200. Phone plans aren't directly comparable. They might have different perks like streaming subscriptions or Trump Mobile's promised telemedicine service. Ahmed Khattak, U.S. Mobile's CEO, also said some smaller alternative carriers might not have all the device features you expect such as visual voicemail. James Gray from the telecom consulting firm Graystone Strategy said that you should also consider the ease of getting customer service from mobile providers. If you prefer to walk into a store for help, that might not be an option with all the non-big three providers. In a recent survey of Consumer Reports members, though, alternative providers U.S. Mobile, Consumer Cellular and Ting were the only carriers that received top marks for customer support.
Russia Today
17 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Trump Mobile drops ‘Made in USA' label amid China copycat concerns
Trump Mobile has removed the 'Made in the USA' label for an upcoming smartphone from its website, sparking renewed speculation over whether the $499 T1 device is a rebranded Chinese model. Launched by the Trump Organization on June 16, the company now says the T1 phone is 'designed with American values in mind.' The change was first flagged by The Verge on Wednesday and confirmed through archived captures. The T1 8002 is currently described as 'brought to life right here in the USA,' replacing earlier claims of domestic manufacturing. The phone's specifications were also changed, including a screen size drop, and the September 2025 shipping date has also been removed. The changes appear to have been made after industry analysts questioned whether the US has the capacity to produce the device. Todd Weaver, the CEO of US-based smartphone manufacturer Purism, told CNN last week that building a secure, scalable phone production line in the US would take years, and that even his company, which sells a $1,999 'Made in the USA' phone, sources some components from abroad. 'Unless the Trump family secretly built out a secure, onshore or nearshore operation… it's simply not possible. There are areas where you're going to still need a global supply chain,' he said, citing a crystal in Purism's GPS chip that is made in China. Max Weinbach of Creative Strategies noted similarities between the T1 and the Revvl 7 Pro 5G, a $169 phone made by China's Wingtech. 'There are only four or five smartphone ODMs that could manufacture this – and they're all in China,' he said, referring to 'original device manufacturers' – companies that design and make products based on the specifications of another company. 'It is likely that this device will be initially produced by a Chinese ODM,' Blake Przesmicki, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, told CNBC. Eric Trump – who now co-leads the Trump Organization – effectively acknowledged that the phones are not currently made in the US. In an interview last week, he said, 'eventually all the [Trump] phones will be built in the USA,' while avoiding any direct claim of domestic production. Eric Trump: 'Eventually all the Trump phones will be built in the USA.'Translation: They're not built in America. And there's no real plan to change that anytime Company spokesman Chris Walker, however, told USA Today on Wednesday that 'the T1 phones are proudly being made in America,' and dismissed speculation to the contrary as 'simply inaccurate.' The news comes amid President Donald Trump's push to boost domestic manufacturing. Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners earlier this year, citing unfair trade imbalances and saying the move would provide an 'incentive for re-shoring production to the US.' China was hit hardest, and the two sides engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war that paused after a preliminary deal earlier this month until a final trade agreement, which is expected by August 10.
CNET
18 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Trump Mobile Math Doesn't Add Up: We Found Better Phone Plan Deals
When the Trump Organization announced its upcoming gold-hued T1 phone, it threw up a number of red flags for us. There was the poorly Photoshopped image along with technical claims that didn't add up -- including the boast that the phone would be 'designed and built in the United States.' (That claim has since been walked back, without explanation.) The phone was originally expected to launch in September 2025, but there's currently no confirmed release date. To run the T1 phone, the organization also announced the Trump Mobile 47 Plan, a prepaid phone plan with unlimited text, calls and data, which appears to be active now. After looking at the specifics, we've concluded there are better options elsewhere. Let's break it down. Clever pricing, but better deals abound The Trump T1 phone gives us flashbacks to the Freedom Phone, which launched in 2021 and was more of a political statement than a groundbreaking smartphone. But it's the Trump Mobile phone service that seems like an odd fit in 2025. At a time when there are hundreds of mobile virtual network operators -- think Mint Mobile or Google Fi -- Trump Mobile is trying to break into a crowded market with a curious value proposition: pay $47.45 a month (a nod to Trump being the 45th and 47th president) for unlimited text, calls and data. However, that's just the base price. In a video titled I Signed Up for Trump Mobile So You Don't Have To, internet personality Stetson Doggett discovered an additional hefty "plan telecom tax" of $14.52, bringing the monthly price up to $61.97 (and recurring autopay is automatically enabled). You can find what's included in the Trump Mobile 47 Plan for much cheaper with other wireless providers. In fact, Liberty Wireless Mobile -- the MVNO that powers Trump Mobile -- offers the same service for just $40 a month. That includes 10GB of high-speed data, compared to 20GB with the 47 Plan, before speeds are likely throttled. But I haven't used Liberty Wireless, and if the numerous instances of "Lorem ipsum" text on its FAQS page are any indication, it's likely best to look elsewhere. Of course, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan includes other perks that could help justify the higher price -- such as telehealth sessions provided by Doctegrity (normally $29 a month) and roadside assistance through Drive America. That said, it's unclear what services are covered or whether spending limits apply. The 47 Plan even includes "device protection" -- which would be great, if not for the fine print clarifying that "device protection is not insurance." So could Trump Mobile be a good deal? If we ignore all the vagueness surrounding the 47 Plan, then maybe. But there are too many unknowns for us to recommend it. How much is an additional line? Does the 47 Plan include hotspot data? Is there an autopay discount? Do we get streaming service perks like with other carriers? Are there discounts for seniors? We reached out to Trump Mobile for clarification. Luckily, between the three major US carriers and hundreds of US-based MVNOs, you have plenty of options. Here are a few wireless plans that are available now and offer a better price -- or value -- than Trump Mobile, from providers with strong track records for service. Be sure to also check out our list of best phone plans that cover other features and pricing. Trump Mobile vs. T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and US Mobile Plan Cost 1 line (autopay) High-speed data Hotspot data limit Price guarantee Max number of lines Streaming resolution Trump Mobile The 47 Plan $47.45 (no autopay discount) 20GB n/a n/a n/a n/a US Mobile Unlimited Flex $17.50 10GB 5GB n/a Unlimited 480p (SD) T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 $45 50GB Unlimited 3G n/a 2 480p (SD) Mint Mobile 15GB $20 15GB 10GB n/a n/a 480p (SD) Alternatives to Trump Mobile US Mobile Unlimited Flex Best value for a single line (prepaid) Like Runs on Verizon's network for "Warp" service, AT&T's for its "Dark Star" or T-Mobile's for "Light Speed" 10GB high-speed data, then unlimited at slower speed Taxes and fees are included in the sticker price 10GB of hotspot data Don't like Limited times you can switch networks for free The Multi-Network add-on is available only in the Unlimited Premium plan Phone data slows to 1Mbps after high-speed data is used up Cheapest rate requires annual purchase With the three major carriers in the US, you're using their infrastructure, and if there aren't any high-speed towers in your area, you're out of luck. By contrast, US Mobile calls itself a Super Carrier because, without a network of its own, it rides those three networks. They're given special names -- no doubt to avoid advertising for the competition -- and they break down like this: Dark Star is AT&T, Warp is Verizon and Light Speed is T-Mobile. That sounds convoluted, but it means you can switch to a better network for your area if needed without transitioning to an entirely new carrier. You still need to choose one, but you get two free network transfers and then pay $2 per transfer if you want to switch again after that -- it's a good way to see which one works best in your area. OK, to be fair, it can get more convoluted, depending on the network. Dark Star data speeds are at a reduced priority (dubbed QCI 9) in times of network congestion; for an additional $12 a month you can bump that up to a higher priority (QCI 8). With the Warp plan, data speeds are at that QCI 8 higher priority regardless of congestion. And the Light Speed level is even higher (QCI 7). The Unlimited Flex plan gives you 10GB of high-speed data, then unlimited at 1Mbps, for just $17.50 a month if you purchase an annual plan (otherwise it's $25 a month). Hotspot data is 5GB and then unlimited but throttled to 8Mbps and then 600Kbps if you use more than 200GB within a month. International calls and texts from inside the US are included, but if you're traveling you'll need to buy add-on roaming packages costing either $15 (1GB, 150 minutes, 150 texts) or $45 (5GB, 500 minutes, 500 texts). Why we like it It's an inexpensive plan with taxes and fees rolled into the price, plus you get the ability to surf among the major carrier networks to find the one that works best for your area. Who it's best for Someone looking for a simple phone line who doesn't expect to use much data. Who shouldn't get it If you're frequently away from Wi-Fi, that data could go by in a hurry. It's also not a great option if you need consistently high speeds, or you don't want the complexity of choosing one of the three networks. Customer service options • Online: US Mobile • Phone: 878-205-0088 • Store: n/a • App: US Mobile iOS, Android $17.50 at US Mobile Mint Mobile 15GB Best phone plan for 15GB of data or less Like Runs on T-Mobile's network More data than some comparably priced plans from other prepaid rivals Free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK Don't like Best pricing often requires a full year commitment or is limited to new customers Hotspot data comes out of monthly allotment Despite the fact that we think most everyone can benefit from having an unlimited data plan, sometimes that's just too much data, and too much expense. When you aren't streaming movies or checking social media frequently (away from Wi-Fi), a limited amount of data on a plan can be just the right amount. Mint Mobile's 15GB Plan costs as little as $20 a month when you pay up front for a year or take advantage of a three-month new customer offer. For that price you get unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's 5G/4G LTE network and the 15GB of high-speed data (then slower unlimited data if you blow past that allotment). It also includes free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK, as well as 10GB of hotspot data (which comes out of the 15GB total). Why we like it With T-Mobile's network as the backbone, Mint Mobile's plan offers many of the same features as the larger carrier, but at a reduced, affordable prepaid scale. Who it's best for People who want the features of most mobile plans but won't use much data. Who shouldn't get it Someone who obsesses over data usage or is concerned about hitting the 15GB limit. Customer service options • Online: Mint Mobile Help Center • Phone: 800-683-7392 • Store: n/a • App: Mint Mobile $20 at Mint Mobile
Euronews
20 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
What is the Trump phone and does it promise too much?
US President Donald Trump's new gold smartphone has scrapped messaging that it is made in America, according to reports. Here is everything we know about the Trump phone. Earlier this month, the President launched Trump Mobile, a wireless carrier and the T1 Phone 8002, which the Trump Organisation advertised at first as being 'made in the USA". The website now says the $499 (€426) smartphone has an 'American-proud design' with 'American hands behind every device'. What do we know about the phone? The Verge also reported that the specifications of the phone have changed, from a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen to a smaller one of 6.25 inches. The phone now should have 256 gigabytes of storage, whereas the old advertising had it at 12 gigabytes of RAM. The phone will also have an in-screen fingerprint sensor and artificial intelligence face unlock, three rear cameras with up to 50 megapixels and one front camera. The phone is available for pre-order with a deposit of $100 (€85.37) and will be connected to the Trump Mobile network. The website said the phone was supposed to be available by September but the site now says it will be ready 'later this year". Trump's sons Eric and Don Jr. announced earlier this month that they would offer mobile phone plans for $47.45 (€40.51) a month under the mobile network, a reference to their father's status as the 45th and 47th president. The call centre, they said, will be in the US, too. A spokesperson for Trump told CNBC that the phones would still be made in the US and that any speculation otherwise is inaccurate. Euronews Next has also followed up with Trump's team but didn't receive an immediate reply. However, some experts have questioned if the phone is too good to be true, as the $499 (€426) phone is too cheap for the specs it offers and some parts of the phone are not made in the US. The smartphone is the product of the recently founded mobile phone network Trump Mobile, which is operated by the Trump Organization. The Trump family has flown the American flag before with Trump-branded products of suspicious origin, including its 'God Bless the USA' Bibles, which an Associated Press investigation last year showed were printed in China. In May, President Trump threatened smartphone supplier Apple and other US-based companies with a hefty 25 per cent tariff if they manufactured their phones anywhere outside the US. In response, Apple is reportedly expanding its iPhone supply chain through a $1.5 billion (€1.28 billion) investment for a component plant outside of Chennai, India.
