Smartphone startup Unplugged is taking a big step this fall by starting assembly of its privacy-focused UP Phone in Nevada. The shift marks a move toward onshore production, aligning with the Trump administration\u2019s call for stronger domestic manufacturing.<\/p>\n
CEO Joe Weil, a former Apple executive, told Reuters that the goal is to keep the UP Phone priced under $1,000, even with higher U.S. labor costs. At present, the phone is made in Indonesia and retails for $989.<\/p>\n
Weil explained that the first phase will focus on assembly, with plans to gradually expand into component sourcing. After weighing different options, Unplugged partnered with a refurbisher-turned-assembler instead of a traditional lean manufacturer.<\/p>\n
While the company has revealed its plans, it\u2019s holding back on details such as how many units will be assembled in Nevada, or the name of its partner. Likewise, Unplugged hasn\u2019t shared information about its backers or funding amount.<\/p>\n
Analysts point out that producing smartphones in the U.S. is far more expensive than in Asia due to supply chain concentration and labor costs. Even so, Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed companies, including Apple, to build more devices locally by using tariffs and policy pressure.<\/p>\n
Instead of rolling out a new model every year, Unplugged plans to manage expenses by making the UP Phone in smaller, steady batch production runs. This strategy could help avoid some of the steep costs tied to large-scale U.S. assembly.<\/p>\n
The newest UP Phone, set to ship in September, comes bundled with one year of access to Unplugged\u2019s software suite. This includes firewall-based tracker blocking, a VPN, and encrypted photo storage. After the free year, the subscription will continue at $12.99 per month.<\/p>\n
Hardware remains unchanged from the 2024 version, but the software brings a fresh interface, a firewall dashboard, and improved camera performance.<\/p>\n
The market could soon see more U.S.-built smartphones. Trump Mobile, a cellular service and smartphone venture licensing the former president\u2019s brand, has also revealed plans to assemble its debut T1 handset in the U.S.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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