Donald Trump introduced the T1 smartphone in June 2025 as a “patriotic” choice for Americans looking to move away from major tech companies, but the device has not met expectations. On October 28, popular YouTuber Zack Nelson, known for disassembling and testing gadgets, examined the $499 phone. He compared it to a Taiwanese model from 2024, suggesting that Trump’s product appeared “extremely suspicious.”
Nelson’s review gained significant attention, reaching 9 million views at the time of reporting. He noted similarities between the T1 and a device he already owned, the HTC U24 Pro, including their sizes, button placements, and ports. Both phones had a 6.78-inch curved display with matching resolution and refresh rate. In scratch tests, the T1 showed marks at level six on a Mohs hardness scale, similar to the HTC phone, with deeper scratches appearing at level seven.
Upon opening both devices, Nelson observed that the internal components were nearly identical, including the layout and specifications of screws, the motherboard, and the battery. The most surprising moment came when he swapped the motherboards, and both phones powered on immediately, suggesting they were made by the same manufacturer. Nelson expressed frustration, stating that Trump’s claims of American manufacturing were misleading.
Further, Nelson criticized the T1’s design, particularly the American flag printed on the phone, which had only 11 stripes instead of the traditional 13. He humorously speculated that the branding might explain the missing stripes. Additionally, he raised concerns about the use of the flag in advertising, referencing the U.S. Flag Code, although violations do not automatically result in criminal charges.
Throughout the review, Nelson referenced Trump’s legal issues, including a New York jury’s finding that led to 34 felony counts against Trump for falsifying business records. During a scratch test, he jokingly noted that the marks on the T1 resembled some of Trump’s favorite numbers.
What are your thoughts on the T1 smartphone and its comparison to other devices?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Dinara Luz