Deutsche Telekom’s T Phone 3 is a budget Android phone built around an AI assistant from Perplexity, and its real selling point is the bundle: 18 months of Perplexity Pro come included with the phone. It launched in Europe in August 2025 at 149 euros, which worked out to roughly $170 at the time. Here is what you get, what the AI features actually do, and what the closest option is if you live in the US.
What the T Phone 3 is
Deutsche Telekom, the German parent company of T Mobile US, has sold phones under its own T Phone brand for a few years. These are inexpensive devices made with a manufacturing partner and sold through Telekom shops, its website and retail partners. The third generation was announced on August 14, 2025, alongside the T Tablet 2, which starts at 199 euros.
The pitch is simple: a decent everyday phone at a low price, with an AI assistant baked into the software instead of tucked away in an app. Telekom calls it an AI phone, but under the hood it is a standard Android 15 device with a dedicated key that launches the Perplexity assistant.
Official specs and price
| Spec | T Phone 3 | T Phone 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price in Germany | 149 euros | 229 euros |
| Display | 6.58 inch LCD, 120Hz, 1080p class | 6.8 inch AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chip | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Memory and storage | 6GB RAM, 128GB, microSD slot | 8GB RAM, 256GB, microSD slot |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main with OIS, 2MP macro | 50MP main with OIS, 13MP depth, 2MP macro |
| Battery and charging | 5,000 mAh, 25W wired | 5,000 mAh, 33W wired |
| AI bundle | 18 months Perplexity Pro, 3 months Picsart Pro | 18 months Perplexity Pro, 12 months Picsart Pro |
The standard model also has a 13MP selfie camera, an IP54 rating against dust and splashes, and weighs about 218 grams. Telekom’s German shop still lists it at 149 euros in Icy Silver with 128GB, and offers it with monthly installments on a contract. The Pro arrived on October 14, 2025 in Germany and Austria, and Telekom promises it updates through Android 18 plus five years of security patches.
The AI features, explained
Most of the smart features come from Perplexity, an AI search and answer service, rather than from Telekom itself. Press the dedicated key and you can ask questions by voice or text, get summaries of web pages and documents, draft emails, plan a trip or translate a conversation. Perplexity Pro unlocks more advanced models and higher usage limits than the free tier, and Telekom values the 18 month subscription at 360 euros. According to the Telekom shop, the voucher can be redeemed until March 1, 2027.
The Picsart Pro trial adds AI photo editing, such as removing backgrounds or generating effects. Neither subscription is locked to the hardware in a technical sense. Both are apps and services that also run on other phones, so the bundle is mostly a way to make a cheap phone feel like a better deal.
Is there a US version?
Not under the T Phone name. Deutsche Telekom sells the T Phone 3 only in Europe, in Germany and nine other European countries. The closest American equivalent is T Mobile’s own REVVL 8, which launched on August 14, 2025, the same day as the T Phone 3, for $199.99. It shares the key hardware: a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a 6.58 inch display, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, a 5,000 mAh battery with 25W charging and a 50MP main camera with OIS.
The big difference is software and perks. The REVVL 8 relies on Google Gemini, which is built into Android, and T Mobile did not announce a Perplexity Pro bundle for it. T Mobile promises five years of security updates. Pricing and promotions for REVVL phones change often, so check T Mobile or Metro for the current offer.
Europe only, 149 euros, Perplexity assistant and 18 month Pro bundle.
US only, launched at $199.99, Gemini built in, sold by T Mobile and Metro.
Perplexity is a free app, with Pro available as a paid plan.
FAQ
How much does the T Phone 3 cost?
Telekom lists it at 149 euros in Germany. With certain Telekom contracts the upfront price can be much lower, with the rest spread over monthly installments.
Can I buy the T Phone 3 in the US?
No. It is sold through Deutsche Telekom in Europe. The REVVL 8 from T Mobile is the closest US model in terms of hardware and price.
Is Perplexity Pro really free with the phone?
Yes, for 18 months, through a voucher included with the purchase. After that it becomes a paid subscription if you choose to keep it.
What is the difference between the T Phone 3 and T Phone 3 Pro?
The Pro adds an AMOLED screen, more RAM and storage, faster 33W charging, an extra depth camera and a longer Picsart Pro trial, for 229 euros.
The verdict
The T Phone 3 is a sensible budget phone for European buyers, and the Perplexity Pro bundle adds real value if you would have paid for an AI assistant anyway. For US shoppers it is mostly a curiosity: the REVVL 8 covers the same hardware ground, and the AI features are an app download away on any modern phone.
Updated October 2026: rewritten with official T Phone 3 and T Phone 3 Pro specs, current European pricing, the Perplexity bundle details and the closest US alternative.
Featured photo: Andrey Matveev on Unsplash.
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