Alleged Galaxy S26 Plus Prototype Surfaces on Craigslist for $1650 Ahead of Launch

An advertisement on Craigslist has listed a device purported to be a Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus for sale at a price of $1650, well ahead of the phone’s official announcement. This unusual pre-launch appearance comes just before the anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, where Samsung is expected to officially unveil the S26 series.

A Closer Look at the Listing

The photos accompanying the Craigslist post, shared by user Kakooli98, display a fully operational device featuring a wallpaper from the Galaxy S26 series. The asking price of $1650 is significantly higher than the expected retail value for the S26 Plus, which is projected to be between $1000 and $1100, depending on the storage configuration. While some sources suggest the listing advertised a Galaxy S26 Ultra, the camera module shown in the images aligns with the pill-shaped design rumored for the S26 Plus model. The device is shown in a black finish, a color that has been consistently mentioned in recent leaks as a launch option for the S26 Plus.

What to Expect from the Official S26 Plus

According to recent leaks and industry analysis, the Galaxy S26 Plus is not expected to be a radical departure from its predecessor, the S25 Plus. It is anticipated to feature a 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 4,900mAh battery. The camera system is rumored to include a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto camera. While the overall design is expected to remain similar, a key aesthetic change will be the introduction of a camera island that surrounds the lenses, a feature expected across all S26 models. Despite rising component costs which may lead to a slight price increase over the S25 series, the retail price will not be near the $1650 asked in the Craigslist ad.

The Broader Context of Pre-Release Leaks

The appearance of a seemingly functional, unreleased flagship on a public marketplace like Craigslist is rare but not unprecedented. Such devices are often engineering samples or testing prototypes that have been lost or illicitly sold. For the seller, there’s a significant risk of legal action from the manufacturer. For a potential buyer, the risks are also high; the device could be running unfinished software, lack a warranty, and could even be remotely disabled by Samsung, turning it into an expensive paperweight.

Future Outlook and the Competitive Landscape

The Galaxy S26 series will enter a competitive market, facing off against rivals like Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to feature an A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, and a potential move back to an aluminum frame to improve thermal management. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is expected to be powered by a new Tensor G5 chip and feature a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor. Samsung’s success will depend on delivering meaningful AI enhancements, camera improvements, and overall performance to justify its flagship status. All speculation will be put to rest at the official presentation on February 25.