Why Trump’s $499 smartphone likely won’t be made in the USA -- yet
Share this @internewscast.com

Trump Mobile has pledged to manufacture a luxury smartphone in the United States priced at 9 by this summer. This new device is said to boast specifications that exceed those of even the high-end Apple iPhones, all while being offered at a significantly lower cost. Industry experts, however, regard this plan as overly ambitious or potentially unattainable.

The T1 phone touted by the president’s sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr. will feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, 256GB of storage with expandable memory and a 50-megapixel rear camera array, according to its website.

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max — which is mainly made in China — also offers a 6.8-inch screen and 256 gigabytes of storage, but the rear camera maxes out at 48 megapixels — and costs $1,199.

“There’s absolutely no way you could make the screen, get that memory, camera, battery, everything” in the US, Tinglong Dai, a Johns Hopkins University business professor, told the Wall Street Journal.

He estimated it would take “at least five years” to build the infrastructure needed for domestic smartphone production.

Even Eric Trump appeared to walk back that the T1 will be entirely manufactured and assembled in the US by its expected August launch date during an interview Monday with podcaster Benny Johnson.

Holding up what looked like a gold-plated iPhone, he said: “You can build these phones in the United States. Eventually, all the phones can be built in the United States of America. We have to bring manufacturing back here.”

The company said in a press release that the Android-based handset would be “proudly designed and built in the United States.”

Trump Mobile has not disclosed where the first wave of T1 phones will be built, or which suppliers will provide the components.

The Post has sought comment from Trump Mobile.

“If the Trump Phone is promising a $499 price tag with domestic manufacturing, this announcement looks to be classic vaporware,” said Todd Weaver, CEO of Purism, referring to the unlikelihood of a US-manufactured phone being available at that price.

Given the technical specifications and the $499 price point, analysts believe early units could originate from Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi or Oppo, which have the capability to produce premium Android phones at that cost.

Smartphones are produced through a complex global supply chain.

Key components like processors are typically designed in the US and manufactured in Taiwan, displays come from South Korea, camera sensors from Japan (Sony) and various other parts from suppliers in China, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Final assembly usually occurs in China, India or Vietnam at massive facilities run by contract manufacturers such as Foxconn, Pegatron or Compal.

Dai said the current industrial focus in the US is on regaining leadership in semiconductors and other critical technologies — not on smartphone assembly.

Last month, President Trump threatened Apple with a 25% tariff for any iPhone sold but not made in the United States — putting new pressure on CEO Tim Cook to move manufacturing out of Asia.

One area where a quick rollout is more feasible is the Trump Mobile wireless service.

Like other MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators), Trump Mobile can lease capacity from existing carriers and offer its own branded plans, much like Mint Mobile did before being acquired by T-Mobile.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Nearly 20 decomposing bodies found stashed in hidden room of funeral home run by county coroner

Almost 20 Decomposed Bodies Discovered in Secret Room of Funeral Home Operated by County Coroner

State inspectors have uncovered nearly 20 decomposing bodies hidden inside a Colorado…
Travis Decker speaking to police.

Significant Development in Search for Travis Decker: FBI Shuts Down Campgrounds in Effort to Capture Fugitive Father Accused of Murder

A FATHER accused of murdering his three daughters is still on the…
Photo of a large stealth flying-wing aircraft over China.

China’s Massive Stealth Drone Takes to the Skies After Being Seen at a Hidden Base in Satellite Images

A TERRIFYING Chinese stealth drone has been spotted on a major test…
Russian cruise missiles hit US company in massive Ukraine strike amid Trump’s peace push

Russian Missiles Target US Company in Major Ukraine Attack During Trump’s Peace Efforts

In one of the largest overnight strikes since the war began, Russia…
Public execution in Iran using a crane.

Chilling Scene: Iran Executes Convicted Killer by Crane in Front of Disturbing Audience, Including Children

THIS is the chilling moment Iran’s tyrants hang a murderer from a…
Erik Menendez denied parole, will have to remain in prison for parents' murders

Erik Menendez Denied Parole, Remains Incarcerated for Murder of Parents

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KABC) — A California parole board decided to reject…
Surgeon Ryan Cho leaving the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Trainee Doctor Accused of Illegally Filming Women in Hospital Restrooms: Faces 130 Charges

A TRAINEE doctor has been accused of secretly filming hundreds of women…
Lil Nas X jailed on suspicion of charging at police on LA street where he walked nearly naked

Lil Nas X Arrested After Allegedly Confronting Police in LA While Nearly Naked

Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested and briefly took a trip to…
How the AP did its analysis of partisan advantage in US House districts

Understanding the AP’s Analysis of Partisan Advantage in US House Districts

The Associated Press used an “efficiency gap” analysis to examine congressional elections…
Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell told DOJ she was ‘very central’ to ‘startup’ of Clinton Global Initiative

Ghislaine Maxwell Claimed Key Role in Launch of Clinton Global Initiative to DOJ

Jeffery Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell said she was “very central” to the…
Strong winds and waves batter Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard as Hurricane Erin moves out to the sea

Powerful Winds and Waves Hit Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as Hurricane Erin Departs

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard faced strong winds and…
President Donald Trump says Chicago is likely next target of efforts to crack down on crime after sending National Guard to DC

Trump Targets Chicago for Crime Reduction Efforts After Deploying National Guard to Washington, D.C.

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is…