Flagship phones got more expensive in 2026. Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $1,299.99 and raised it to $1,399.99 on October 1. Google's Pixel 11 Pro lists at $1,099. Yet new, sealed unlocked units of both sell for far less on eBay: today the S26 Ultra is $959.99 and the Pixel 11 Pro $769. Here is how to buy one without risk, and why the plan you put it on saves even more.
Prices right now
| Product | List price | Lowest new price now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB (unlocked) | $1,399.99 | $959.99 | See it on eBay |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB (unlocked) | $1,099 | $769 | See it on eBay |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB (unlocked) | $999.99 | $807.49 | See it on eBay |
| Google Pixel 11 256GB (unlocked) | $899 | $698.99 | See it on eBay |
Lowest price for a new, sealed unit from a US eBay seller with 98%+ positive feedback, shipping included, before sales tax. Prices checked 1 hour ago. As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Click a phone to see its daily price history. Phone prices on marketplaces drift down over the months after launch, with dips around big shopping events.
Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 11 Pro?
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung's biggest phone, with a 6.9-inch screen and the S Pen stylus built in. Choose it if you want the largest screen, take notes or sketch with a pen, or zoom far with the camera.
Pixel 11 Pro: the smaller of Google's two Pro phones (the Pro XL is the big one). Choose it if you want a flagship that fits one hand, Google's camera processing and AI features, and Android updates straight from Google, often first.
Both get seven years of Android and security updates, so either is a phone you can keep for a long time. That makes paying less up front even more worthwhile. If you do not need the Pro features, the regular Galaxy S26 and Pixel 11 cost several hundred dollars less.
How to buy an unlocked phone safely
- New and sealed. The listing should say "new" and "sealed" or "factory sealed". We filter out refurbished, open-box and used listings.
- US unlocked, not international. International versions are cheaper for a reason: they can miss US network bands, may not support Wi-Fi calling or other features on every carrier, and the US warranty usually does not cover them. Look for "US version" or "US unlocked" in the title.
- Unlocked, not carrier-locked. A phone listed as "Verizon" or "T-Mobile" may be locked to that carrier. Our tracker looks only at listings for unlocked phones, but the title is the final word.
- Check the seller. High feedback, many ratings and a clear return policy. We only show sellers with at least 98% positive feedback and 100 or more ratings.
- Pay through eBay. eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers items that do not arrive or are not as described, but only when you pay through eBay checkout.
- Check the IMEI after delivery. Dial *#06#, enter the number in your carrier's compatibility check, and activate the phone within the return window.
Why the plan matters more than the phone
Carrier deals can make a flagship look free, but the biggest offers usually require one of the carrier's most expensive plans and spread the discount as bill credits over 36 months. Leave early and the remaining phone balance comes due.
A quick comparison on Verizon's network: Verizon myPlan Unlimited Ultimate costs $95 a month for one line with Auto Pay, before taxes and fees. Visible+, which runs on the same network with unlimited premium data, costs $35 a month with taxes and fees included. Over 36 months that is a difference of $2160, more than the full list price of either phone. If you do not need premium data, the basic Visible plan at $25 a month widens the gap further.
Our guide on unlocked vs. carrier phones walks through the math for every carrier, and our phone plan comparison lists every budget plan with its network and real monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Galaxy S26 Ultra cost?
Samsung raised US prices on October 1, 2026. The unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra now lists at $1,399.99 for 256GB and $1,599.99 for 512GB, up $100 from launch. New, sealed unlocked units often sell for hundreds less on eBay; the table in this guide shows today's lowest price.
Is it safe to buy an unlocked phone on eBay?
It can be, if you check a few things: the listing says new and sealed, the phone is the US unlocked version, the seller has a high feedback score, and the return policy fits you. Pay through eBay checkout so eBay's Money Back Guarantee applies. We only show new listings from US sellers with at least 98% positive feedback and 100 or more ratings.
What is wrong with an international version?
International models are made for other countries. They can miss some US network bands or features like Wi-Fi calling on some carriers, and the manufacturer's US warranty usually does not cover them. For a phone you plan to keep for years, buy the US version.
Will an unlocked phone work with my carrier?
A US unlocked Galaxy or Pixel works on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and the budget brands that use their networks. Before you switch, enter the phone's IMEI (dial *#06#) in your carrier's compatibility check.
Is a carrier deal cheaper than buying unlocked?
Sometimes, if you already pay for the carrier's most expensive plan. Big phone offers usually require a premium unlimited plan and spread the credit over 36 months. Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate costs $2160 more over 36 months than Visible+ on the same network, which is more than the phone itself.
List prices checked against Samsung's and Google's US stores and Samsung's October 2026 price change; plan prices against carrier websites on November 4, 2026. Found something out of date? Let us know.
