Trezor Model T - The Next Generation of Crypto-Security
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
