John Velasco
John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.
Latest articles by John Velasco
![OnePlus 12 held in the hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZLm7D7jV7nkTLgcbnSqkGU-320-80.jpg)
Forget Galaxy S24 Ultra — OnePlus 12 beats Samsung’s flagship in one big way
By John Velasco published
After it went through Tom's Guide's battery benchmark tests, the OnePlus 12 sets records for having the best battery life and recharging speeds in a flagship model.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Generative Edit feature](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p6YFFBEjJ4HpYcRFimqY2B-320-80.jpg)
I edited these photos with the Galaxy S24's Generative Edit — and they made me a believer in AI
By John Velasco published
You'll never even know it's been edited with help from AI
![OnePlus 12 held in the hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Am3ocjw5iZ8WsaxJnLvFjG-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus 12 review: The affordable flagship phone
By John Velasco last updated
In this OnePlus 12 review, you’ll find out if this affordable flagship has the performance, hardware, and experience to prove it’s a contender to the throne of best phones.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7cdDyiQiH4c8cXkeE8SZxX-320-80.jpg)
I put the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra through a 7-round face-off — is it worth the upgrade?
By John Velasco last updated
To see what changes Samsung made to its premium phone, we ran a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Galaxy S23 Ultra comparison. Find out if the new model is worth getting.
![InfinaCore T3 wireless charger](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eFQXCsay6AJv54rS8txPRM-320-80.jpg)
This foldable 3-in-1 MagSafe wireless charger is my new favorite travel gadget — and it’s 33% off
By John Velasco published
It's a lot more affordable than other chargers
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hs9ZcVtpj3LTJpMXzDM3Q7-320-80.jpg)
9 ways the iPhone 15 Pro Max beats the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
By John Velasco published
It may not be the newer smartphone any more, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max can still point to several ways it beats the all-new Galaxy S24 Ultra.\
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/neNBCAszSWTrKedGuAS9UV-320-80.jpg)
7 ways Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra beats iPhone 15 Pro Max
By John Velasco published
If you're trying to convince yourself on which to buy, we break down all the ways the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
![Galaxy AI Instant Slow-mo.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SnwFYkgGewcgg9BgNbbEPK-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24’s AI lets you do something no iPhone can — here's how
By John Velasco published
How to add slow motion to any videos you record on the Samsung Galaxy S24
![Mark Spoonauer using Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to take a photo.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U7UBHp23PeyhWyru5SMo4Y-320-80.jpg)
I just tested Samsung’s AI-powered Instant Slow-mo video on the Galaxy S24 and it actually looks legit
By John Velasco published
Now you can turn any video into slow motion
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra S Pen.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/anfX3HRWU232L2HnR9ZReG-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy S24 Ultra’s most boring feature is what makes it unique among phones — and that’s a problem
By John Velasco published
The S Pen deserves better than this
![Lifestyle images of Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, & S24 Ultra series.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H783ag889s9PBqTHetqQqg-320-80.jpg)
5 Galaxy S24 rumored features that weren’t announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked
By John Velasco published
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked showed off the company's new Galaxy S24 lineup, along with a tease for the Galaxy Ring, but there were several rumored things that didn't end up coming to the Galaxy S24.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LfNDEiEVFGoeT83jmFToRX-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra zoom test — this looks like a downgrade
By John Velasco last updated
Was Samsung wrong to go with a 5x zoom?
![Galaxy S24 lineup at Galaxy Unpacked 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gkayu2WCCTZqQHZgT92dqL-320-80.jpeg)
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Galaxy S24 lineup, new Galaxy AI features, and a Galaxy Ring surprise
By John Velasco published
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 delivered a new lineup of Galaxy S24 flagship phones, with each model capable of delivering AI-powered features.
![Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZD79CCgPo72RLmEqorb7Q4-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra: Biggest expected upgrades
By John Velasco last updated
In this Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra versus Galaxy S22 Ultra comparison, we look at all the rumors surrounding the S24 Ultra and see how much better it could be against the two year old S22 Ultra.
![OnePlus 12 held in the hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZqgRLLeJ9hVSZAM6Qfob5h-320-80.jpg)
Forget Galaxy S24 — this underrated OnePlus 12 feature beats Samsung
By John Velasco published
You won't ever worry about a missing TV remote again
![Galaxy Unpacked 2023 February](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/44o83RDBQnABZxziFjecEj-320-80.jpeg)
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024: Galaxy S24, AI, Galaxy Ring and more
By John Velasco last updated
The first major phone launch of 2024 is about to happen
![Samsung S24 ultra render](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u2QHaHEQox6krs47jtvwi5-320-80.png)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leaked video just confirmed a big design change
By John Velasco published
A new video ahead of Galaxy Unpacked reveals a startling design change with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The series has long used a curved display, but this video shows a flat screen instead.
![Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra DeX Upgrade Feature.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7fjf2QKxuk8YdZm2uZipdV-320-80.jpg)
The Galaxy S24 is an opportunity for Samsung to overhaul its most underrated feature
By John Velasco published
Samsung DeX hasn't seen a huge upgrade in years
![Apple iPhone 16 Ultra vs. iPhone Flip.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a5JmLUnePfoUGnoELhxVz8-320-80.jpg)
Before Apple comes out with an iPhone 16 Ultra, it needs an iPhone Flip — here's why
By John Velasco published
There's growing debate around what Apple could be working on, so our phones editor is diving into the details on what Apple should release first — an iPhone 16 Ultra or iPhone Flip.
![OnePlus 12 with colorful lines in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LAprBHAk8m8uEbSXuuyw3o-320-80.jpg)
A decade after the original, the OnePlus 12 could finally ditch this long-standing stigma about OnePlus phones
By John Velasco published
It could finally ditch the series' long-standing camera stigma
![Samsung Galaxy S23 review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BRDsxB8dXQyAFspyn2XFaK-320-80.jpg)
Forget generative AI — this is how the Galaxy S24 could better use AI to help me lead a healthier life
By John Velasco published
You are what you eat
![Unihertz Jelly Star](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8EpGiucBhBbsS9XNLWs8vk-320-80.jpg)
This amazingly small Android phone has features you won’t find on an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Pixel
By John Velasco published
Smartphone makers have been making lame excuses
![Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KzYXDWQu6txNYXKhTapsa6-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra rumored camera downgrade could be a deal-breaker for me — here's why
By John Velasco last updated
One of the biggest rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is that it might be dropping the 10x optical zoom camera for a 5x one instead. I think it could be a big deal breaker.
![Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 official teaser.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U9fqJecAvszZQotepWV7HP-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 — official date and early Galaxy S24 pre-order details revealed
By John Velasco last updated
Samsung officially revealed the date for Galaxy Unpacked 2024, where we'll likely get our first official look at the upcoming Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
![The astrophotography mode in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's ExpertRAW app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sao4LFbzGHLQhMKhS7vjpE-320-80.jpg)
Forget moon shots — the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra could capture galaxies and nebulas
By John Velasco published
A recent leak hints to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra featuring a 100x space zoom, which could help the flagship to take the next step in astrophotography for mobile by capturing nebulas and galaxies.