The gold-plated Trump Mobile T1 has been hit with yet another delay, with the company now pointing fingers at the recent government shutdown for pushing the release into 2026. It is a frustrating setback for pre-order customers who are still waiting for the "American-made" device to actually materialize.
Delay after delay
It looks like the wait for the Trump Mobile T1 is going to be a bit longer than anyone expected. Just as we were closing out the year, news broke that the gold-plated smartphone won't be shipping in 2025 after all, leaving pre-order customers in limbo once again.
According to a new report,Trump Mobile customer service representatives say that the delay is being pinned on the recent US government shutdown. The shutdown, which lasted from October 1 to November 12, reportedly caused a backlog at the FCC, pausing the necessary approvals for the device.
While the company is now estimating a launch for mid-to-late January 2026, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first—or even the second—time the goalposts have moved. Originally slated for an August release, the timeline has slipped repeatedly.
Recommended For You
The T1 feature set
While the release date remains elusive, the specs for the device have been floating around for a while. Here is what the T1 is supposed to pack under its gold chassis:
Display: A 6.25-inch AMOLED screen, which is a downgrade from the originally rumored 6.78-inch panel.
Performance: A 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling.
Camera: A 50MP main shooter.
Storage: 256GB of internal space.
Price: $499, with a $100 deposit required upfront.
Government red tape
The T1 Phone is still on sale, requiring a $100 deposit. | Image credit — Trump Mobile
This delay doesn't just affect one company; it highlights how fragile the tech supply chain can be when government operations stall. For instance, the OnePlus 15 also faced delays in the US due to similar FCC certification backlogs caused by the shutdown. However, OnePlus managed to clear those hurdles and get their phone on store shelves earlier this month, while Trump Mobile is still stuck in the starting blocks.
This situation is particularly frustrating for the people who put down a $100 deposit months ago. The landscape for budget-friendly Android phones is incredibly competitive right now. You have established players like Samsung and Google offering polished, reliable devices in the same $499 price bracket.
When a newcomer enters this space with a "Made in USA" (or "Designed with American Values") pitch but fails to deliver a product, it starts to look less like a tech launch and more like vaporware. It raises the question: is the manufacturer struggling to catch up with the logistical reality of building a phone, or were they never really in the race to begin with?
Is it reasonable to believe Trump Mobile has not launched the T1 yet because of the government shutdown?
It makes sense; the government pauses everything.
0%
Not at all; other phones managed to launch fine.
100%
Paperwork hurdles or deeper issues?
Honestly, it is getting harder to stay optimistic about the T1. When a phone is delayed this many times, it usually signals deeper issues than just "paperwork." The government shutdown was a real hurdle, sure, but other manufacturers navigated it and shipped their products. Using it as a crutch for a delay into 2026 feels a bit thin.
Our new coffee table book, Iconic Phones, is a stunning visual tribute to the legends in the world of phones, featuring exclusive high-resolution photography, stories, quotes and fun trivia. Pre-order now and save 15% with code: PARENA15
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: