Trump Mobile is selling ‘renewed’ iPhones that are really terrible deals

While we wait for the T1, the first phone from Trump Mobile, the cellphone service provider run by Donald Trump’s Trump Organization, the prospective carrier is now offering iPhones for sale with its service — not any of the iPhones in Apple’s current lineup, but two “renewed” models. While touting the “premium performance” for the iPhone 14 and 15 that it offers, we recommend keeping it clear no matter which side of the political aisle you’re on.

For starters, “renewed” is just another way of saying refurbished. The iPhone 15 is a two-year-old phone, and since Apple no longer makes it, any iPhone 15 stock sold is likely to be refurbished. And promoting an older phone as a high-end device, even an iPhone, seems like a stretch.

But the real reason it’s not a good deal is the price. Trump Mobile is selling the iPhone 15 for $629, but you can get a brand new iPhone 16e that’s almost identical to the iPhone 15 for $599. Both phones have 6.1-inch Super Retina

The iPhone 15 has a dedicated main and ultra-wide camera, while the iPhone 16e has a two-in-one camera. But if your priority in a phone is the camera, you probably don’t buy an old phone to begin with.

Another potentially major downside of the iPhone 15 is that it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16e does it. When Apple finally gets its act together (possibly next year) with its AI features, the iPhone 15 will be missing.

For $489, Trump Mobile also sells a refreshed iPhone 14, which is even slower and worse than the iPhone 15.

Oh, and Apple sells the iPhone 15 in its own Certified Refurbished store, which is unlocked and can be used with any carrier, for $529. And the Amazon Renewed Store in the US is selling a 128GB Renewed iPhone 15 for $490, much cheaper than Trump Mobile’s price, and you don’t need to sign up for an unknown mobile service either.

Tump Mobile is a virtual mobile network operator that provides mobile services through partnerships with major operators. It says its phones, including refurbished iPhones, “come to life right here in the United States.”