Trezor Model T – The next generation of crypto-security

This review takes a closer look at Trezor Model T – the premium and newer version of its older sibling – Trezor One. After a brief introduction, we are going to take a look at the hardware wallet from various points of view – design, functionality, security, and the improvements that it brings when compared to Trezor One.

What is Trezor Model T?

Trezor Model T is a cryptocurrency hardware wallet designed to keep your funds safe. It fits in your pocket and connects to your computer via a USB cable.

It is the next-generation premium model with an improved and modern design. Unlike its predecessor, it has a large color touchscreen that enables on-device PIN and passphrase input.

Additionally, you can use the Model T with Trezor Password Manager to help you manage your online credentials.

Trezor Model T supports over 1,000 cryptocurrencies, including major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Zcash.

First impressions: Unpacking

The box in which Trezor Model T arrives is slightly larger than the box containing its sister model. The box is covered in plastic foil. The design of the box is sleek and modern – the black part containing the device is stylishly hidden in a white sleeve.

The contents are neatly organized – the package contains the device itself, a USB A to USB C cable, a lanyard, a getting started guide, two recovery seed cards (be sure to use them), four stickers, and a magnetic dock – a nice practical touch. The magnetic dock is a slim magnet backed with self-adhesive tape, allowing you to attach your Model T wherever you want, even upside-down under the table (we have tested it).

From the first glance, the device looks stylish and comfortable to use. It has no clunky pieces or buttons sticking out of it. The USB port of the device is covered by a tamper-evident hologram – an important security feature. If the hologram seems broken or damaged, return the device to the manufacturer immediately.

User experience: Smooth design, smooth operation

Just like with Trezor One, the guide in the package tells you how to initialize your new Trezor. The process is pretty straightforward and the interface guides you through the whole process. The most important point is to write down your recovery seed and to store it in a safe place. The recovery seed helps you to recover your funds in a different Trezor if you lose or damage your device. However, it is also the key to your funds; if somebody steals it from you, they will be able to steal any cryptocurrency you have stored in the wallet. We recommend storing the recovery seed on a piece of paper or an even more durable material, and keep it in a place that only you have access to. You should also enable PIN protection and passphrase on the device from the very beginning.

Trezor Model T uses the standard and battle-tested Trezor Wallet, a web interface, which is easy to use even for someone new to crypto.  Select the desired cryptocurrency from the left-hand menu, and you are ready to go. The user experience is smooth and completely secure. It requires you to confirm each outgoing transaction or address generation directly on the device. You will be able to see the entire address at once on the screen, when you are prompted for address confirmation. This means that you do not have to trust the computer you are connected to.

As mentioned above, the touchscreen is a nice improvement to the user experience. It allows you to enter your PIN directly on the device, which is extremely practical and protects you from key-logging attacks on your computer. It also allows you to enter the passphrase using only the touchscreen.

Security: The Trezor golden standard made even better

Trezor Model T offers the trademark security of all Trezor devices. Just like in Trezor One, both hardware and firmware are open-source and available on GitHub. The community and security experts are, therefore, able to audit and verify the device, and anyone can test it for themselves. Unlike some competing products, there is no secret black box.

The device is delivered empty with no pre-installed firmware – this is done during the set-up process. It is PIN-protected and allows you to label your device and change its home screen to make it instantly recognizable, so that it cannot be replaced by a fake after you set it up.

All the important settings, transaction signing, and address generation require on-device confirmation. The private keys are kept in an isolated environment, so the chances of them being stolen without the user compromising the recovery seed are extremely low. Thanks to the touchscreen, the device requires no input from the keyboard of your computer, making it extra safe against malicious attacks.

Summary – A premium version of a trusted product

Trezor Model T is a premium hardware wallet. While the price tag is somewhat higher, the improved user experience and on-device input brought by the new touchscreen, combined with innovative security and a modern design, is enough to satisfy even the most demanding customers.

To sum up, the Model T successfully builds on Trezor One without sacrificing any of the trademark security that has made Trezor a household name in the crypto community.

Top features:

• Trusted Display
• Full color touchscreen
• Intuitive interface
• Fully open-source
• Support for over 1,000 cryptocurrencies (BTC, XMR, LTC etc.)
• In-Wallet Exchanges
• Trezor Password Manager
• 2FA