Technologies

Trump Mobile and its T1 Phone Don’t Make Any Sense, Even for Trump Fans

Commentary: If you make a splashy announcement and expect to be taken seriously, you need to have your specs accurately written.

The Trump Organization launched its own Trump Mobile phone service and a gold-colored $499 T1 Phone on June 16, and while we often see new whitelabeled phone services or phones themed after influential people, this announcement leaves a lot of unanswered questions that you normally should know the answers to before buying a phone plan and a new device.

Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone, and every way it’s misspelled

Starting with the T1 phone itself, the new device was announced with a specs list that didn’t make sense. While there has been a revision of the phone’s product page, there are still key details that are missing. A phone’s processor is one of its key selling points, but at launch under the «Processor & RAM» on the Trump Mobile site, a processor wasn’t listed at all. The processor remains unlisted, but the corresponding column on that page now uses it to state its gold color. After originally claiming 12GB of RAM, that spec has disappeared. But it will have 256GB of internal storage that is expandable with a microSD card slot. There’s no such thing as a «Punch-Hole AMOLED» display, but it appears that’s what Trump Mobile’s website refers to as the space for the front-facing camera. That display is apparently either 6.8 inches or 6.78 — who’s to say? And the «5,000mAh long life camera» originally listed — which probably should have referenced a battery — has since been corrected to reflect a 5,000-mAh battery with a 20-watt charging speed.

In terms of specs that were better spelled out at launch, the phone runs on Android 15, has an in-screen fingerprint sensor, and includes a headphone jack. It will have a 50-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a single 16-megapixel selfie camera around the front.

There’s no reference to where the phone is assembled, although the main Trump Mobile site exclaims, «it’s proudly made right here in the USA.» That’s particularly eye-opening given that this type of phone — no manufacturer is named — is not currently manufactured anywhere in the US. If it does turn out to be a phone made outside the US, the constantly fluctuating US tariffs are expected to increase the cost of electronics. (Analyst Max Weinbach did some sleuthing and thinks the phone is actually the Chinese-made Wingtech REVVL 7 Pro 5G, which you can buy for $169.) For reference, the only other phone currently manufactured in the US appears to be the Liberty Phone, which is $1,999 and comes with 4GB of memory and 128GB of storage.

If you’re wondering when the release date is, good luck getting a straight answer. It’s either «Coming Soon» in August or September, depending on whether you’re looking at the press release or the website, respectively. And if you do buy it, hopefully you’ll love it, because, according to the terms, «All sales are final and non-refundable» unless otherwise determined on a case-by-case basis. To preorder a T1 Phone costs $100 (or less, if the ordering system is working).

I have to level with you: I wouldn’t give a company $500 if it can’t even list the most basic product information correctly on a page that was clearly thrown together hastily — much less without any sort of refund policy.

Trump Mobile’s phone service has many unanswered questions

While it is attention-grabbing, it’s not all that surprising to see the Trump Organization launch a mobile service. The organization itself has a history of running through lots of different businesses, and other politically bent digital services also have a long history. In 2014, for instance, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin launched her own streaming service at $10 a month following an initial stint of reality TV hosting and then shuttered it after a year.

Trump Mobile, however, appears to have launched with a plan that uses its namesake’s presidency as its selling point, as opposed to introducing it as a good deal for consumers. There’s one plan named The 47 Plan, which costs $47.45 simply to coincide with President Donald Trump’s status as the 45th and 47th president of the United States. We don’t know what carriers Trump Mobile runs on, but the website claims it’s «working on all three major carriers.» The plan includes «Device Protection» but adds an asterisk that the protection is not insurance, nor does it clarify what it will protect about your device. It also mentions roadside assistance provided by Drive America and telehealth services provided by Doctegrity, which offers «contactless blood pressure [and] heart rate monitoring» — services that Doctegrity may cover, but which likely are not directly tied to the phone. We’ve reached out to Trump Mobile for clarification on these features.

Like with the T1 Phone page, the 47 Plan page includes questionable references and misspellings. Specifically, after checking if your phone is compatible, «then all you need to purchase is a plan that best fits your needs,» but there’s only one plan. There are no other choices. And you can check that compatibility by «Go into Setting on your Phone» listing both «for Iphone» and the correctly spelled «for Android» steps.

One other step is a bit of a throwback: It asks for you to «Remove your phone’s battery» to look for the IMEI on a sticker. And trust me, I miss user-replaceable phone batteries too, but nowadays getting battery access requires a rather complicated self-service repair kit.

While we haven’t tested Trump Mobile, it’s again hard to argue that creating a business relationship like buying cellphone service might not be the best idea when the seller doesn’t appear to have their information organized for potential customers.

Better deals than Trump Mobile and the T1 Phone

There are many better phones that cost $500 or less, and cellphone providers are offering unlimited data plans for less than $47.45.

If you need a phone for $500, Google’s $499 Pixel 9A includes seven years of software support, comes in nice colors like Iris purple, works with nearly every carrier (likely including Trump Mobile) and is available for sale here and now. It runs on a Google Tensor G4 processor. Motorola’s Moto G and Samsung’s Galaxy A lines also provide lots of options for even less money.

On the mobile network side, the sky’s almost the limit when it comes to value-oriented carriers. Verizon’s Visible, T-Mobile’s Mint Mobile and AT&T’s Cricket offer plans that are as low as $25 a month for comparable unlimited benefits. And if you want to break away from the big three carriers, Dish’s Boost Mobile has been building out a new fourth network that’s using price to draw in new customers.

There are just so many options for buying a phone and mobile service that put a better foot forward. And with a selling point primarily based around Trump’s fans, it’s quite possible that someone’s going to sign up for a service and a phone for fandom rather than actually getting a good deal. And even worse, no refunds either.

Technologies

Facing Billions in DMA Fines, Apple Lets EU iPhone Users Install Apps Outside the App Store

A last-minute rule change lets European iPhone owners download apps from rival stores and developer websites, while introducing new fees that Apple hopes will satisfy regulators in Brussels.

In a scramble to sidestep penalties that could soar into the billions, and with Brussels regulators watching closely, Apple has agreed to let Europeans download iPhone apps from outside its own App Store.

With just hours left before an EU compliance deadline, the company said residents of the 27-nation bloc will soon be able to grab apps from rival marketplaces or straight off a developer’s website. The change rolls out later this year with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, and also lets users set a different browser engine and choose a third-party wallet at checkout.

For everyday EU iPhone owners, that means the download button could pop up in more places than just Apple’s storefront. After you select the new setting, iOS shows a one-time permission sheet confirming you’re leaving Apple’s marketplace. The app then passes a quick notarization scan meant to weed out malware. Apple notes that off-store downloads work only inside the EU, and disappear if you stay outside the bloc for more than 30 days.

Cost to developers

Developers do gain fresh distribution freedom, but there’s a price tag. A new two-tier Store Services fee asks for 5% of outside sales in exchange for basic services like app reviews and support in what’s called Tier 1, or 13% for the full bundle of perks, including automatic updates and App Store promotions in Tier 2.

Apple will take a 5% «Core Technology Commission» on any purchase made outside its own payment system. That new cut will phase out the current €0.50-per-download fee and become the sole charge across the EU when a unified pricing model arrives on Jan. 1, 2026.

Apple insists «more than 99%» of devs will pay the same or less under the revamped math.

Why now?

In April, the European Commission fined Apple €500 million ($585 million) for blocking developers from steering users to cheaper payment options, and warned that daily penalties of up to 5% of global revenue could follow if it failed to comply.

Throughout the back-and-forth, Apple has accused the commission of «moving the goalposts» on what counts as compliance, with a spokesperson saying the company has invested «hundreds of thousands of hours» to meet the EU’s evolving demands.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney blasted the 5% tier as a «malicious compliance scheme» that «makes a mockery of fair competition.»

If regulators decide Apple still hasn’t gone far enough, the iPhone maker could face steeper sanctions, or even be forced to separate its App Store business.

Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for June 27, #1469

Here are hints — and the answer — for today’s Wordle No. 1,469 for June 27. Some players need a new starter word now.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Wordle puzzle isn’t too tough, but somehow, it has a starting letter I never seem to guess. Some posters on Reddit say it was one of their starter words, so now they’re in the market for a new way to begin the game. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.

Today’s Wordle hints

Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

There are two vowels in today’s Wordle answer.

Wordle hint No. 3: First letter

Today’s Wordle answer begins with P.

Wordle hint No. 4: Placement

The two vowels are next to each other.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer can refer to something that is not decorated and is simple.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Today’s Wordle answer is PLAIN.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle answer, June 26, No. 1468 was OFFER.

Recent Wordle answers

June 22, No. 1464: THRUM

June 23, No. 1465: ODDLY

June 24, No. 1466: ELITE

June 25, No. 1467: COMFY

Will Wordle run out of words?

When Wordle began, creator Josh Wardle used a list of five-letter words he’d shared with his partner, picking only the words they recognized. While that’s more than 2,000 words, more than half of them have already been used.

Wordle editor Tracy Bennett admitted that the game will eventually have to come to grips with the fact that the word list is not eternal.

«One possibility is that we could recycle old words at some point, like when we get close to the end,» Bennett told a Wordle player on TikTok.

She also said the editors might throw all the words back in and reuse them, or allow plurals, or past tense, something that’s not done now.

Technologies

Why Smart Travelers Are Switching to eSIMs This Summer

Save 20% on Nomad eSIMs and use your phone all you want around the world without spending a fortune on roaming fees and data add-ons.

Higher prices are looming for just about everything, but they’re not stopping people from planning more summer travel than ever.

Deloitte’s 2025 summer travel survey found that despite the gloomy economy, more Americans will travel this year than they did last year. And young people are especially ready for some self-care elsewhere: a survey by Allianz found that a whopping 70% of Americans under 35 are planning to take a vacation this summer.

If you’re one of the many people thirsty for a summer getaway, there’s a good chance you’re also looking to cut costs where you can. Maybe you’re opting for a cheaper mid-week flight rather than heading out on Friday, or heading somewhere off the beaten path instead of a tourist-packed metropolis.

Another smart way to trim your travel budget is to use an eSIM. You don’t have to pay pricey roaming or add-on data fees to look up local spots, post pics and check your email while you’re out of the country. Nomad eSIM, one of the most affordable options, gives you the data to do all that and more from over 200 countries. And right now you can get 20% off your first Nomad data plan with the code NOMCNET20.

What is an eSIM?

If you’ve ever upgraded your phone or switched carriers, you’re likely familiar with what a SIM card is: It’s that tiny chip in your phone that essentially connects it to your mobile carrier.

A digital eSIM is different in that it’s downloaded from the web directly into your phone. You can activate it using an app and switch carriers without the fuss of having to swap out your physical SIM card.

An eSIM can be a smart choice for travelers who want to use their phone while abroad. Because eSIMs are data-based, you’ll be able to send emails, browse the web, scroll your socials, stream videos and make data-based voice and video calls — all without having to pay the expensive roaming and data fees of your regular US-based carrier.

How a Nomad eSIM helps you save on international data

Nomad eSIM is different from the other eSIMs in that it offers an affordable plan lineup for every type of trip. Whether you’re going to Costa Rica for a week-long retreat or backpacking around Europe all summer, you can pick a plan that works for your specific needs — and budget.

If you’re visiting one destination, Nomad has you covered with daily, weekly and monthly data plans ranging from 1GB to more than 20GB with coverage in over 200 countries. Travelers can also choose daily unlimited plans for a week, and there are local plans for single-country trips or regional plans for multi-destination travel. Current prices on plans include hotspots like Thailand ($0.18/GB) and Iceland ($1/GB).

Get data plans tailored to your travel needs — and budget

If you’re exploring more than one country, the Nomad Global plan has weekly and monthly plans ranging from 1GB to 5GB and coverage in up to 112 countries. While global in reach, Nomad has intentionally focused coverage on the most popular travel destinations, helping to keep global plan costs more affordable. A 1GB, one-week Global plan starts at just $12, ideal for the occasional check-ins with loved ones and social media posts. Or you can opt for a 3GB or a 5GB Global plan starting at $26 or $36 respectively, and the data is good for one month.

eSIMs are great for frequent flyers and digital nomads, too

For backpackers, students abroad and digital nomads, the Nomad Global-EX plan offers handy six-month and year-long options that are good in up to 82 countries.

The highly affordable Global-EX offers a 10GB, six-month plan starting at just $30 and a 20GB, one-year plan starting at $50, plus the option to expand your data limit to 30GB or 50GB as needed. This plan eliminates the hassle of having to reactivate your eSIM for each trip, and it’s more affordable than other eSIM brands that offer similar data allowances for shorter durations.

And for those who prefer unlimited data, Nomad has recently expanded its offerings with 21 new unlimited plans. Perfect for travelers who don’t want to worry about running out of data or topping up, these plans start as low as $11 USD for 3 days of unlimited usage.

eSIMs provide instant, hassle-free connectivity

No matter which plan you choose, the Nomad eSIM is a snap to use. Simply download the app and activate the eSIM on your unlocked iOS or Android eSIM-compatible phone so you can get online the minute you land. There’s no physical SIM card, no contracts and no hassle.

Lock in a new Nomad plan today and score 20% off with the discount code NOMCNET20.