Trump Mobile T1 phone reaches The Verge after yearlong wait
The Verge says its delayed Trump Mobile handsets arrived with odd shipping, basic accessories and early issues using mobile data in the UK.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone 8002 has reached The Verge after more than a year, giving one of the first close looks at the gold handset and its out-of-box experience. The arrival matters because the device has drawn scrutiny over delays, fulfillment and what buyers receive for a politically branded Android phone.
The Verge’s Dominic Preston reported that the publication received three Trump Mobile phones despite ordering and paying for two. Preston said all three were delivered to the wrong address.
According to Preston, the handset he opened was the gold version of the T1 Phone 8002. He wrote that it arrived 12 months, 16 days, 21 hours and 54 minutes after he first learned about the device.
What came in the box
Preston reported that the phone shipped with a Trump Mobile SIM card, although he said he had not subscribed to the company’s wireless plan. The box also included a SIM eject tool, a clear plastic case, a 33W charger and a gold-and-black braided USB-C cable, according to The Verge.
The phone also came with two sets of paper instructions, Preston said. One was an A4 quick-start sheet that he described as looking as if it had been printed on a typical office printer; the other was a small booklet covering setup, calls and camera use.
The Verge noted that the inclusion of a charger differs from many current phone makers, which often omit power adapters from retail packaging. Preston did not report a broader environmental claim from Trump Mobile about the packaging or accessories.
Early impressions of the hardware
Preston described the phone’s back panel as gold plastic with a slightly sticky finish that attracted dust and fingerprints quickly. He also reported seeing a small scratch in one corner before he removed the device from the box.
Photos published by The Verge showed the handset’s gold rear finish, a U.S. flag detail and the camera area. Preston’s account focused on first impressions rather than a full performance review.
The setup process worked at first, according to Preston. He said the device restored his usual apps from a Google backup and came with Truth Social already installed.
Preston reported that the phone stated its February Android security update was current for the device. He also said the fingerprint sensor worked on his unit, contrasting that with an earlier report involving YouTuber Quinn Nelson, whose preorder experience The Verge had covered separately.
UK network problem remains unresolved
Preston, who is based in the UK, said the T1 did not work fully with his British SIM card during early testing. He reported that voice calls went through, but the phone would not connect to LTE or 5G service.
He said he still needed to determine whether the mobile data issue could be fixed or whether the device is effectively limited to U.S. users. The Verge said it plans to publish a full review of the T1 Phone next week.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.