Viral social media posts claiming Tesla has released a $789 “Pi Phone” with Starlink connectivity are completely false, according to fact-checkers and Elon Musk himself.
Social media platforms have been flooded with seemingly credible posts and videos claiming that Tesla has officially launched its first smartphone, dubbed the “Tesla Pi Phone,” priced at $789 and featuring revolutionary technology including free Starlink satellite internet connectivity. However, extensive fact-checking reveals these claims to be entirely fabricated.
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The Viral Hoax Spreads Across Platforms
The latest wave of misinformation began circulating in September 2025 when a Facebook page called “Trend Fuel” posted an image of Elon Musk allegedly holding a smartphone, accompanied by the caption: “It’s official. The $789 Tesla Pi Phone just changed the entire smartphone game”. The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 150,000 likes and shares across multiple social media platforms.
Similar claims have spread across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms, with content creators producing elaborate videos featuring supposed specifications, release dates, and promotional materials. These videos often claim the phone offers features such as solar charging, Neuralink integration, cryptocurrency mining capabilities, and direct satellite internet access through Starlink.
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Elon Musk’s Clear Denial
Despite the viral nature of these claims, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has explicitly denied any plans to develop a smartphone. During a November 2024 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk directly addressed the persistent rumors.
“No, we’re not doing a phone,” Musk stated clearly. He explained that while Tesla might theoretically be “in a better position to create a new phone that’s not Android or iPhone than maybe any company in the world,” it’s “not something we want to do unless we have to”. Source: Teslarati
Musk further clarified that Tesla would only consider entering the smartphone market if companies like Apple or Google engaged in severe censorship or became problematic gatekeepers for apps and services.
Fact-Checkers Confirm the Hoax
Multiple fact-checking organizations have investigated and debunked the Tesla Pi Phone claims:
- Snopes confirmed that the circulating images are digitally created and that there is no official documentation, certification, or product listing proving the phone’s existence
- PolitiFact rated claims about Musk announcing a new Tesla phone as “False”
- VeraFiles found no announcement from Tesla or Elon Musk about any smartphone launch
- Yahoo News proved that no credible news outlets carried any story about a Tesla phone launch
The Reality Behind Tesla’s Focus
Tesla’s official website contains no information about any smartphone products. The company remains focused on its core business areas: electric vehicles, solar energy systems, battery technology, and artificial intelligence robotics.
Meanwhile, SpaceX—Musk’s separate company—is indeed working on satellite connectivity technology. In September 2025, SpaceX finalized a $17 billion deal to acquire wireless spectrum from EchoStar, enabling a Starlink “direct to cell” service that will allow ordinary smartphones to connect directly to satellites. However, this technology is being developed for integration with existing smartphones, not a Tesla-branded device.
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The Anatomy of Digital Misinformation
The Tesla Pi Phone hoax demonstrates how sophisticated misinformation campaigns can spread across social media platforms. Content creators use AI-generated images, clickbait headlines, and fabricated product specifications to attract viewers and generate ad revenue.
The persistence of these rumors, which have circulated periodically for years, shows how compelling narratives about revolutionary technology can capture public imagination even without factual basis. Previous iterations of the hoax have claimed various price points, from $295 to $1,500, and different feature sets, but all share the common thread of being entirely fabricated.
Consumer Warning
Technology enthusiasts eager for Tesla to enter the smartphone market should be aware that no such product exists or is officially planned. The viral posts, YouTube videos, and social media content promoting the Tesla Pi Phone are part of a misinformation campaign designed to generate clicks and ad revenue.
Tesla’s actual innovations continue to focus on sustainable transportation, energy storage, and artificial intelligence—areas where the company has demonstrated real technological breakthroughs rather than speculative smartphone concepts.
As Musk himself noted during an October 2024 town hall meeting, “The idea of making a phone makes me want to die,” emphasizing that smartphone development is not aligned with Tesla’s mission or priorities.
For consumers seeking reliable information about Tesla’s actual products and developments, the company’s official website and verified social media channels remain the authoritative sources, rather than viral social media posts claiming revolutionary new product launches.
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Sources: Yahoo
