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

Apple AirTag 2 announced — here's the 3 biggest upgrades
By John Velasco last updated
Apple just announced the AirTag 2, with new hardware upgrades like an ultra wideband chip, 2x louder speaker, expanded Bluetooth range, and more

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold gets US release date of Jan 30 — and a jaw-dropping price of $2,899
By John Velasco published
Samsung announced the Galaxy Z TriFold will go on sale in the U.S. starting on January 30 with a $2,900 sticker price for this phone-meets-tablet hybrid.

Galaxy S26 vs iPhone 17 — here's why Samsung could steal the crown from Apple
By John Velasco last updated
Galaxy S26 rumors hint at bigger upgrades for Samsung's base flagship phone, which could further prove to offer more value than the iPhone 17.

I’m stoked that Galaxy S26 Ultra price leaks hint at no hikes, but this could come at a cost — here’s how
By John Velasco published
Galaxy S26 Ultra price rumors hint at no price hike for Samsung's flagship phone, but we could end up seeing fewer launch-day bundle discounts.

I drove the Rivian R1S for a week — here's my pros and cons
By John Velasco published
Editor's ChoiceThe 2026 Rivian R1S Quad boasts an impressive 1,025-hp performance, a more future-proof NACS charging port, and the best-in-class ADAS around.

The best dumbphone is the one I'm already wearing on my wrist — and it made me return to life more
By John Velasco published
I tried an experiment where I transformed my Apple Watch into a dumbphone to find out what exactly I'm gaining and losing from ditching my smartphone.

My gloves suck, so I got these $20 rechargeable handwarmers — and they're the best thing I've bought this year so far
By John Velasco published
I got fed up with the poor insulation of my gloves, so I bought a pair of rechargeable hand warmers that fit easily in my pockets.

Galaxy S26 Ultra 'Privacy Display' leaked by Samsung — everything you need to know
By John Velasco published
Samsung inadvertently confirms the existence of the Galaxy S26 Ultra 'Privacy Display' feature. Here's everything we know about Samsung's best hidden secret.

It’s 1984 again — I tried this Macintosh-inspired iPhone 17 Pro case and it’s the retro vibe I’ve been waiting for
By John Velasco published
The Spigen Classic LS is an iPhone 17 Pro case inspired by the original Macintosh 128K from 1984 and it adds the retro look that I crave.

I drove the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe for a week — here's my pros and cons
By John Velasco last updated
RecommendedThe 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe will make you forget about buying a mini-van because this full-size SUV offers spacious three-row seating to fit up to 7 people.

I spent a year with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — here's what I want to see from the Galaxy S26 Ultra
By John Velasco published
After nearly a year of using the Galaxy S25 Ultra, my long term review dives into how it compares to its flagship rivals and what I'd like to see with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

I gave my iPhone the same ports as my laptop with this MagSafe accessory — and now I bring it with me everywhere
By John Velasco published
I tried the Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter with my iPhone to transform it into the ultimate productivity and media tool.

Level up your photography: 5 essential camera phone tips and tricks I swear by
By John Velasco published
Stop taking boring photos! I'm sharing my favorite camera phone tips and tricks that will elevate the look of your photos.

I drove the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron for a week — and it proves charging an EV shouldn't be a hassle
By John Velasco published
I drove the 2025 Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron for a week and it's really convenient to charge this EV because of its dual charging ports.

Yes, TomTom still exists — I drove 300 miles to see if it could beat Google Maps
By John Velasco published
The TomTom app is a free download for iOS and Android Auto, so I put it to the test to see how it compares with Google Maps.

Nissan Leaf vs. Hyundai Kona Electric: here's the budget EV I'd recommend after spending a week with them
By John Velasco last updated
I put the 2026 Nissan Leaf and 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric to find out how what these budget EVs offer with their performance, charging speeds, and extra features.

My iPhone’s camera app was holding me back, so I ditched it for this alternative that lets me take mobile photography to the next level
By John Velasco published
The stock iOS 26 camera app is still limits what I'm able to capture, so that's why I installed the ProCam app for better creativity control. Here's what I found out.

Verizon offering $20 credit to customers following outage — here's how to redeem yours
By John Velasco published
Now that service has been restored after the January 14 outage, Verizon's offering a $20 credit to its customers to make up for the loss in service.

How to send satellite messages from your iPhone
By John Velasco published
iOS 26 lets you access messages via satellite, allowing compatible iPhones to send texts without cellular or Wi-Fi. Learn how to use this feature anywhere.

iPhone 18 Pro rumors: 2nm A20 Pro chip, variable aperture camera and under-display Face ID (plus new colors)
By John Velasco last updated
The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in September. These are the 5 biggest rumored upgrades you need to know.

I discovered this hidden camera mode on my iPhone — and it's a game-changer
By John Velasco published
Night mode max is a new camera feature added in iOS 26 that can increase the exposure of a shot up to 30 second long for even better low-light photos.

I drove the Genesis GV80 for a week — and it’s my favorite luxury 3-row SUV
By John Velasco published
RecommendedThe 2026 Genesis GV80 is a three-row midsize SUV that seats up to seven and packs all the trimmings you'd expect in a luxury vehicle.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrade guide: What owners of older models should do
By John Velasco published
Should you upgrade to the the Galaxy S26 Ultra next month? We take all the leaks and rumors to tell you if it's worth getting if you have an olde Galaxy Ultra phone.

I added a 10x optical zoom to my iPhone with this attachable lens — but it has a more amazing trick up its sleeve
By John Velasco published
The Shiftcam 240mm Super Zoom Tele add mores zoom to any camera phone, but it also takes stunning macro shots when paired with 10x magnification lenses.
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