Trump Mobile is selling refurbished iPhones and Galaxy phones at jaw-dropping markups compared to every other retailer. The company charges $629 for a refurbished iPhone 15 that Apple sells for $529, while Amazon offers the same phone for $430. It's the latest questionable business practice from the Trump-branded wireless carrier that's already facing scrutiny over its delayed phone launch.
Trump Mobile's refurbished phone business reveals the same pattern of overpricing that's become synonymous with Trump-branded products. While the company's wireless service actually works - it's just T-Mobile under the hood - their hardware pricing tells a different story entirely.
The numbers don't lie. Trump Mobile wants $629 for a refurbished iPhone 15 that Apple sells directly for $529. That's a $100 markup on Apple's own refurbished device, which comes with a full warranty and Apple's quality guarantees. But it gets worse when you compare to other retailers.
Amazon lists the same iPhone 15 for $430, while Best Buy offers it for $480. Even Back Market, which specializes in premium refurbished devices, charges only $536 for their highest-tier condition phones. Roman Loyola at Macworld couldn't find anywhere that charges more than Trump Mobile for refurbished iPhones.
The iPhone 14 situation is even more absurd. Trump Mobile charges $489 for a three-year-old phone that Amazon sells for $305 and Best Buy offers for $327. Apple doesn't even sell refurbished iPhone 14s anymore, yet Trump Mobile positions theirs as some kind of premium offering.
Galaxy phones fare slightly better but still carry hefty markups. The Galaxy S23 costs $369 from Trump Mobile versus $249 at both Amazon and Best Buy. The S24 is $459 compared to much cheaper options elsewhere. While these prices beat Samsung's own steep refurbished pricing of $519 and $599, they're still significantly higher than market alternatives.
What makes these markups particularly galling is the lack of premium service to justify them. Trump Mobile doesn't specify who refurbishes their phones or guarantee the use of official parts. The product pages vaguely claim devices are 'brought to life right here in the USA,' but offer no warranty - a stark contrast to the one-year warranties provided by Apple, Samsung, and Back Market.
The company's sloppy execution shows in their product pages, which recycle the same interface used for T1 Phone deposits. Customers are promised they can 'Be the first to get your iPhone 14 Renewed' - marketing copy that makes no sense for a three-year-old device that's widely available elsewhere for much less.
