Loyal supporters of Donald Trump who paid deposits for his promised golden smartphone are still waiting, but his family's business has another offer: significantly marked-up, years-old refurbished iPhones and Samsung devices.
The Premium Price of Patriotism
Trump Mobile, the patriotic mobile vendor launched in June 2025 by the Trump Organization under his sons Don Jr and Eric Trump, is currently hawking a suite of refurbished handsets. The company's online shop boasts of "wireless independence" and devices "brought to life right here in the USA".
However, a comparison of prices reveals a stark premium. A refurbished Apple iPhone 15 is listed at $629, while Apple itself frequently sells the new model for $529. Similarly, a renewed iPhone 14 costs $489 on Trump Mobile, compared to $305 on Amazon or $327 at Best Buy as of Friday 5 December 2025.
Comparing the Costs: Samsung Markups
The pattern extends to Samsung models. Trump Mobile offers a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S23 for $369. Consumers can find the same US version for as little as $249 at Best Buy or $259 on Amazon. The newer S24 is priced at $459 by Trump Mobile, against a market price of around $389.99 elsewhere.
These devices, sold with 128GB storage in only black, carry no specific Trump branding. The company's promotional material, which features patterns some experts associate with AI-generated text, does not clarify the reason for the substantial markups, which can exceed $225 compared to major retailers.
The Ghost of the 'T1' and SIM Plans
This sales push comes as the launch of the long-promised "T1" handset remains unclear. The $499 Android device, originally branded as "proudly American" and "MADE IN THE USA", was forced to drop that tagline after experts pointed out the US lacks the facilities for complete smartphone manufacturing.
Alongside hardware, Trump Mobile sells a Trump-branded SIM-only plan. The Verge reporter Allison Johnson, who tested the service, summarised it as merely "fine, I guess".
The Independent has contacted Trump Mobile for comment on its pricing strategy and the status of the T1 smartphone.
