According to a report by CNBC, a company owned by U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced the release of a new smartphone called T1, claiming it was 'made in America' with a price tag of $499 (approximately NT$15,000) and supporting Google's Android system. However, several industry experts have stated that the device is likely designed and produced by a Chinese original design manufacturer (ODM), contrasting with the Trump administration's push for 'American manufacturing.'

Experts noted that the T1 smartphone is gold in color, equipped with a 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a 50-megapixel camera module, claiming it would be 'made in America.' However, Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of IDC, stated that the T1 smartphone is highly unlikely to be designed from scratch in the U.S. and unlikely to be assembled or manufactured locally, affirming, 'This is almost impossible.' Analyst Blake Przesmicki from Counterpoint Research expressed similar views, indicating that despite claims of T1 being made in America, it is likely produced by a Chinese ODM.

Additionally, Jeff Fieldhack highlighted that the U.S. currently lacks the manufacturing capacity necessary to support large-scale smartphone production. Even if part of the T1's processes are completed in the U.S., smartphone manufacturing inherently relies heavily on a global supply chain. From displays, chips to camera modules, most key components come from Asian manufacturers. The AMOLED display in T1 is mostly expected to be supplied by Samsung or LG from South Korea or from China's BOE. In terms of processors, considering cost factors and expected specifications, it is speculated that the T1 might use chips from Taiwan's MediaTek, with a possibility of Qualcomm processors for higher specifications, most of which are manufactured in Taiwan.

As for the 50-megapixel camera mentioned in the T1, the imaging sensor required is primarily dominated by Japan's Sony Group, while other components may come from Chinese and other Asian manufacturers. Memory components may utilize technology from Micron in the U.S., but supply sources might also include competitors like South Korea's Samsung.

During and after his presidency, Trump has continued to urge major tech companies like Apple to return manufacturing to the U.S., threatening tariffs on imported electronics to strengthen American manufacturing. However, experts believe that it would take years to establish a complete smartphone production system in the U.S., with significantly increased costs. IDC Vice President Jeronimo admitted that even if part of the T1 is assembled in the U.S., it will ultimately rely on a large number of imported components. He believes that this so-called 'Made in America' smartphone release is more of a political statement than a genuine industry transformation.