By Not only do they differ in their political views, both Donald Trump and Kalama Harris are fans of two rival smartphone brands in the technology market .
In the 2024 US presidential race, the mobile devices that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris use have attracted the attention of the media and the public. This article will review the phone models that these two famous candidates have used in the past and present.
Donald Trump: Passionate “love” for Android devices
Before entering politics, Donald Trump was known for sharing his personal views on social media, especially Twitter (X). On his journey to develop his political career, the phones he used also became a topic of curiosity.
Samsung Galaxy 2015
In 2015, while still a candidate, Mr. Trump used a phone from the Samsung Galaxy line. According to many sources, this could be the Samsung Galaxy S3, which was released in 2012. This phone model has a strong design with fast internet connection and was one of the outstanding products at that time.
During the campaign, researchers found that tweets from the @realDonaldTrump Twitter account could be differentiated based on the type of phone used. Posts from Android phones tended to be more personal and controversial in tone, while those from iPhones were more informational and lighthearted, published by his executive team.
Switch to secure phone as required by US Secret Service
In late 2016, after being elected President, Mr. Trump was faced with a request from the US Secret Service to change his mobile device to ensure information security. Despite his hesitation and concerns about being “isolated,” Mr. Trump eventually handed over his favorite Android phone.
At the time, he still wanted to stay in touch with friends and maintain a personal life, but the Secret Service required the President to use high-security equipment to prevent the risk of attack or wiretapping.
When he took office, Trump was issued an encrypted phone approved by the Secret Service. Although details about the phone are not publicly available, it is designed for maximum security, with limited features such as not being able to take photos, play music or access the internet.
On new phones, there are only a few basic apps and communications are very tightly managed to prevent security risks from hackers.
Kamala Harris and the choice to stay loyal to iPhone
In contrast to Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, the current Vice President and presidential candidate, tends to stick with Apple devices . The iPhone is not only a communication tool but also a style choice for her.
Ms. Harris has been spotted using an iPhone several times in public and private events. Unlike Mr. Trump, Ms. Harris uses the iPhone not only for communication but also as a style and branding choice. Recent photos show her owning an iPhone 15 Pro Max model , equipped with Dynamic Island technology.
Ms. Harris used this iPhone during a conversation with celebrity host Taraji P. Henson in January 2024, when the iPhone 15 Pro Max was Apple’s flagship phone model.
In recent photos, when Ms. Harris was suspected of staging a call with voters, tech experts discovered that she was using an iPhone model with Dynamic Island. This suggests that she may have upgraded to the iPhone 16 Pro Max – Apple’s latest iPhone model in 2024. Apple has been constantly improving the security of its iPhone models, especially for important users like government officials.
High security requirements when becoming US President
Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the presidency, both will have to adhere to strict security standards when using mobile devices. US presidents have long been required to use specially encrypted devices, often with little or no internet access and only the features necessary for the job.
The Secret Service will approve and monitor these devices to ensure maximum protection for the President’s data and communications. This helps to limit the risk of eavesdropping, cyberattacks, or interference with the devices. Controlling and protecting the President’s mobile devices ensures that no one can access important conversations or national security information.
