Best Buy has cut $450 from the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, dropping the 256GB model to $949.99 in its Early Black Friday doorbuster sale, according to DealNews. The deal ends Sunday, 8 November at 11:59 p.m. CT, and every storage size gets the same $450 cut. It is a straight discount with no trade-in and no activation required, which makes it one of the simplest flagship deals of the early Black Friday season.
The timing is what makes this one urgent. Doorbuster stock is limited, there are no rainchecks, and the advertised price ends when the clock runs out on Sunday night. If you have been waiting for the S26 Ultra to drop under $1,000, this is the moment it happens.
How much does each Galaxy S26 Ultra cost at Best Buy?
All three storage sizes are $450 off. Best Buy lists the 256GB model at $949.99 against a comparable value of $1,399.99, and DealNews confirms the same $450 cut on the larger models.
| Storage | Deal price | You save |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB | $949.99 | $450 |
| 512GB | $1,149.99 | $450 |
| 1TB | $1,549.99 | $450 |
Best Buy lists the larger models at $1,599.99 for 512GB and $1,999.99 for 1TB before the $450 cut. Our calculation puts the 256GB discount in perspective: $450 off a $1,399.99 comparable value is about 32 percent off. The 512GB and 1TB prices come from the same $450 cut applied to their list prices, and all three models are unlocked, so they work on major US carriers.
One honest check before you get excited: the base Galaxy S26 is itself discounted at Best Buy right now, down to $849.99 from a $999.99 comparable value, according to Best Buy. So the Ultra at $949.99 costs $100 more than the discounted base model. What the $450 cut does is close the usual gap: the Ultra’s list price is $1,399.99, $400 above the base model’s $999.99, and this deal shrinks that gap to $100, by our calculation.
What you get for $950
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s top phone for 2026, and the spec sheet explains why it normally costs so much. It has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, with 12GB or 16GB of RAM depending on the model, according to Samsung. The 5,000mAh battery supports 60W wired charging, reaching up to 75 percent in around 30 minutes (the 60W adapter is sold separately), and Samsung rates video playback at up to 31 hours.
The camera system is built around a 200MP main sensor with an f/1.4 aperture, joined by a 50MP telephoto, a 10MP telephoto and a 50MP ultrawide, according to Samsung. The wider aperture lets in 47 percent more light than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is the kind of change that shows up in low-light photos rather than on a spec sheet.
The feature that sets this phone apart from every other flagship is the Privacy Display. It is the first built-in privacy screen on a mobile phone, according to Samsung, and it hides the screen from people sitting beside you. You can switch it on for the whole screen, for specific apps, or just for notifications and PIN entry. The S Pen is built into the body, and the phone ships with One UI 8.5 on Android 16, with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates promised, according to Samsung.
Should you buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $950?
Yes, if you want Samsung’s top phone and you are happy buying unlocked. At $949.99 you get the 200MP camera, the Privacy Display and seven generations of OS upgrades for $100 more than the discounted base S26. Wait only if you would rather trade in an old phone or hold out for Black Friday itself.
Three things make the yes case strong. First, the $450 cut applies to every storage tier, so even the 1TB model drops to $1,549.99 from $1,999.99. Second, nothing is tied to a carrier or a trade-in, so the $949.99 is the listed price, before tax. Third, seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates mean the phone gets supported for years, even at a discount.
The wait case is narrower. If you have an old phone to trade in, check what Samsung or your carrier offers first. It costs nothing to compare. Black Friday itself is still to come, and prices may or may not fall further. What is certain is that this doorbuster ends on Sunday night.
How to get the deal before it ends
Buy the unlocked model from Best Buy, online or in store. The deal covers all three storage sizes at the same $450 discount, and My Best Buy members get free shipping on the order. Membership is free to join, according to DealNews. While you are there, compare the Ultra with the base Galaxy S26 at $849.99 side by side, so you can see exactly what the extra $100 buys.
Do not count on a second chance. Doorbuster deals run for three days and end Sunday, 8 November at 11:59 p.m. CT, with limited quantities and no rainchecks, according to DealNews. With quantities limited and no rainchecks, the deal can end early if stock runs out.
One practical check before you buy: confirm the model in your cart is the unlocked version, listed as SM-S948UZKAXAA on the 256GB black model, and that the price shows $949.99 with the $450 saving applied. The $949.99 price is shown directly on the listing, with no coupon code mentioned.
Frequently asked questions
Does the $450 discount apply to all storage sizes?
Yes. The 256GB model is $949.99, the 512GB is $1,149.99 and the 1TB is $1,549.99, each $450 off, according to DealNews.
Do I need a trade-in or carrier activation?
No. This is the unlocked model at a straight $450 discount, with no trade-in and no activation required, according to Best Buy.
When does the deal end?
Sunday, 8 November at 11:59 p.m. CT. Doorbuster quantities are limited and there are no rainchecks, according to DealNews.
Is the Ultra really cheaper than the base Galaxy S26?
Not right now. The base S26 is discounted to $849.99 at Best Buy, so the Ultra at $949.99 costs $100 more. The deal shrinks the usual $400 list-price gap to $100, by our calculation.
Does Best Buy ship it for free?
My Best Buy members get free shipping, and membership is free to join, according to DealNews.
The doorbuster ends Sunday night. If the Ultra is the phone you want, buy it before the clock runs out.
