The race for flashy smartphones continues with Caviar’s latest stunt: a $10,500 iPhone 17 Pro Max mod. While Trump Mobile’s T1 finally ships after delays, it’s a mid-range Android device on borrowed hardware. Meanwhile, Caviar offers a gold-plated, ultra-premium Apple handset for those who want their tech to scream wealth.
- Caviar’s T-Great is a customized iPhone 17 Pro Max, maxed out at 1TB storage
- The phone’s body replaces standard glass and titanium with a jewelry alloy and double 24-karat gold plating
- A cloisonne enamel US flag with gold dividers decorates the back, beneath a raised “T” logo
- The premium packaging includes a 24-karat gold-coated key to open the box
Flagship Hardware, But for Who?
Caviar didn’t just slap a logo on a phone: it stripped the iPhone 17 Pro Max down to its titanium and glass and rebuilt it with a jewelry alloy body. Double 24-karat gold plating covers the back, centered around a dimensional letter “T.” The US flag below isn’t a sticker but handcrafted cloisonne enamel with gold dividers marking each star and stripe. Fancy, yes—but for $10,500, you’re paying purely for bling.
On paper, this looks like a high-end build—Apple’s current flagship, maxed out at 1TB—but the catch is simple: it’s a luxury modification, not a performance upgrade. Expect the same iOS experience, just with a wallet-busting price tag.
Trump Mobile’s T1: Delayed and Mid-Range
For contrast, Trump Mobile’s T1 smartphone, which finally started shipping after multiple production delays, is a modded T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro 5G. This means mid-range specs, Android OS, and a device that couldn’t be less flashy in comparison. It was supposed to launch in August 2025 but hit testing and quality issues. Now, it’s out—if you can call it competitive.
That Trump Mobile device is likely targeting a different crowd entirely: those after branding, not bells and whistles. Meanwhile, Caviar’s $10,500 iPhone mod aims squarely at collectors and status symbol hunters.
Packaging That Matches the Price
Caviar didn’t skimp on the unboxing experience. The phone arrives in a premium interactive case, which includes a 24-karat gold-coated key to unlock it—because apparently, even your phone box needs to be ostentatious. This is about exclusivity and theatrics, not practicality.
A Pattern of Excess
This isn’t Caviar’s first indulgence. The company also teased a $10,000 iPhone 18 Pro collection months before Apple’s official announcement. Their lineup includes a pink iPhone 17 Pro variant adorned with gold and diamonds. The niche is clear: over-the-top luxury, with zero apologies for the price.
GizmoIndo’s Take
Caviar’s iPhone 17 Pro Max mod is a reminder that in the world of smartphones, luxury often means price, not innovation. While the Trump Mobile T1 finally hits the market after delays, it’s a mid-range Android phone thin on features. For most users, the $10,500 price tag on a gold-plated iPhone is pure showboating—worth it only if you’re after a status statement rather than a better device.
Realistically, no amount of gold plating alters iOS or makes daily tasks smoother. The premium packaging and handcrafted enamel flag add flair, but this is a niche play for collectors, not consumers. The smartphone market is littered with such gimmicks—don’t hold your breath for this to change how you use your phone.
In short: If you want a flashy phone, Caviar delivers. If you want value, look elsewhere.
(Via)
