Product test
Nothing Phone (3a) tested: a telephoto camera for the mid-range smartphone
by Jan Johannsen
Trump Phone: not all that glitters is gold
17.6.2025
Translation: machine translated
The US President's family is entering the mobile phone business. But tariffs and smartphones are only for Trump fanboys.
Update from 26 June: Equipment changed and no longer «Made in USA»
In the meantime, there have been some changes on the T1 website. The display has shrunk from 6.78 to 6.25 inches, there is no longer any information about the RAM and instead of September, the smartphone will now be available less precisely «later this year». The manufacturer does not respond to press enquiries.
In addition, all references to production in the USA have disappeared. Instead, there are now only advertising slogans such as «designed with American values in mind» that make a connection to the USA.
Update end
As always, the promises are big, but in the end Trump Mobile is just a virtual reseller in T-Mobile's mobile network. The most exciting thing about the golden T1 is where the smartphone is to be manufactured in the USA for 500 dollars. Other manufacturers definitely have better devices on sale for less money.
Mid-range smartphone with a lousy camera setup
I'm just imagining that in Germany, Chancellor Merz's children would suddenly introduce Merz Mobile and the M1. In Switzerland, it would be Keller-Sutter Mobile with the KKS1 this year. However, this is not about nepotism or the dilemmas faced by heads of regulatory authorities appointed by presidents. We are looking at the technology:
And here the T1 is at least partially in line with current mid-range smartphones. However, the camera setup in particular is disappointing in comparison with some much cheaper devices. I'm thinking of the Nothing Phone (3a), for example.
Trump Mobile does not provide any information on the very relevant chipset of the T1. They are following Huawei's example. We will probably only find out which one it is once the first devices are in circulation. The most important known key data:
Although three cameras are visible on the back of the T1, only one of them is actually usable. The depth sensor only provides information for blurred portrait shots and macro cameras with such a low resolution are known to have miserable image quality.
Made in the USA for 500 dollars
For those who are not convinced by the gold and other design elements - is there actually a trademark lawsuit from T-Mobile? - and the poor relationship between price and data sheet, you can already pay a deposit of 100 dollars. The T1 costs a total of 499 dollars and should be available from August or September. However, some people sense the next scam from Trump:
I am definitely reminded of another golden smartphone that never appeared:
If it succeeds with production in the USA, it will be exciting to see whether Trump Mobile is as open about the origin of its components as Purism.
47.45 dollars is not a good deal
By the way, the 47.45 dollars are not a hard-calculated business plan, but a lure for fans of the 45th and 47th president of the USA, who also buy lots of other fan merchandise.
Note (19 June): Feel free to discuss the specs of the phone in the comments; however, insults, slurs and the like will be removed.
Header image: Trump Mobile
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deAs a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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