Unlocked flagship smartphones from Samsung and Google are already discounted ahead of Black Friday, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $1,349.99, the Pixel 11 at $699, and budget options like the Motorola Moto G Power at $199.99, ZDNET reported.
Black Friday 2026 lands on November 27, with Cyber Monday following on November 30, but retailers have begun rolling out early promotions weeks in advance. CNET notes that several brands, including Apple, have implemented formal price increases this year, making the current wave of discounts particularly significant for consumers tracking hardware budgets.
The testing team has identified five specific models currently on sale that represent genuine value, spanning Samsung’s premium foldable line, Google’s standard and Pro Pixel variants, and Motorola’s budget-friendly Moto G series. These unlocked devices offer a direct alternative to the carrier subsidy model that dominates U.S. retail channels.
Flagship Discounts Land Three Weeks Before Black Friday
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is currently priced at $1,349.99, down from $1,599.99, bringing the S Pen-equipped 200MP camera flagship into sharper focus for power users. The device features a built-in privacy display and top-tier performance that earned it an Editors’ Choice designation. Alongside it, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has dropped to $1,599.99 from $1,899.99, offering a smooth foldable experience even without the Ultra's advanced camera array.
Google’s Pixel 11 is listed at $699, reduced from $899, and packs a 6.3-inch AMOLED display capable of 3,000 peak nits brightness, 30W fast charging, and deep Google Gemini integration. Priced at $799, down from $1,099, the Pixel 11 Pro features an upgraded camera system that sets it apart from the base model. CNET’s tracker shows the Pixel 11 at $799 directly from Google, a $100 discrepancy from the ZDNET-listed price that likely reflects different retail channels or promotional bundles.
According to Mashable’s deal tracker, the previous-generation Pixel 10 Pro costs $749 on Amazon—a 25% markdown from $999—alongside the Samsung Galaxy S26 with 256GB storage at $789, which runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. These competing figures illustrate the fragmented pricing across retailers.
The $199 Motorola Moto G Power Undercuts Mid-Range Expectations
For buyers avoiding premium price points, the Motorola Moto G Power is available at $199.99, slashed from $299.99. Despite its mid-tier positioning, the phone sports a 6.8-inch Full HD+ display with 2,388 x 1,080 resolution, an IP69 dust- and water-proof rating, and a dual-camera setup featuring a 50MP main sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens.
Carrier Subsidies and Unlocked Models Offer Different Paths to Savings
While ZDNET focuses on unlocked hardware, CNET’s early Black Friday roundup documents aggressive carrier promotions that can reduce effective costs to zero. T-Mobile gives a free iPhone 18 Pro with an eligible trade-in and Experience plan signup, and AT&T offers up to $1,200 in discounts on Unlimited 2.0 plans.
Google Fi subscribers can acquire the Pixel 11 for free through a combination of a $300 instant discount and an $799 bill credit, plus a six-month Google AI Pro trial valued at $120. Samsung’s direct store offers $150 off the Galaxy S26 with potential trade-in credits up to $340. Mashable’s coverage confirms the T-Mobile iPhone 18 Pro promotion.
Black Friday Falls on November 27 as Price Hikes Loom
| Phone Model | Current Price | Original Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | $1,349.99 | $1,599.99 | $250 |
| Google Pixel 11 | $699 | $899 | $200 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | $1,599.99 | $1,899.99 | $300 |
| Motorola Moto G Power | $199.99 | $299.99 | $100 |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro | $799 | $1,099 | $300 |
CNET also tracks the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold at $300 off through Google’s store, a deal that remains open alongside the standard Pixel 11 promotions. Shoppers should verify whether unlocked purchases or carrier- subsidized contracts yield lower total cost of ownership once trade-in values and plan commitments are calculated.
