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
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which flagship could win?
By John Velasco last updated
This Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max versus Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra face-off details how these two flagships phones stack up against one another.
iPhone 15 Pro Max release — why it could be the best iPhone ever
By John Velasco last updated
With the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it could potentially be hailed as the best iPhone of all time because of its rumored upgrades. However, it needs to live up to what these past iPhones have done.
iPhone 15 Pro Max — this is how Apple can beat Samsung
By John Velasco published
In order to make a compelling case against Samsung, the iPhone 15 Pro Max desperately needs a periscope telephoto camera to get closer to subjects than ever before.
I'm attending my first-ever Apple event — here's what I'm excited to see
By John Velasco published
Not only am I excited about all the new gadgets that Apple's expected to unveil at its upcoming iPhone 15 event, but it will also be my very first in person Apple event.
Google Pixel 8 Pro fully leaked in 360-degree preview — see it from every angle
By John Velasco published
In yet another case of was it an accident or not, the Pixel 8 Pro was again leaked by Google through its 360-degree simulator that showed off every inch of the upcoming flagship phone.
GoPro Hero12 Black boasts double the battery life and AirPods support for audio
By John Velasco published
The GoPro Hero12 Black is an action camera built with today's content creators in mind with its upgrades and new features such as AirPods support for wireless audio recording.
Google just announced Android feature drop with 5 big changes — and a new logo
By John Velasco published
The latest Android features drop includes the ability to digitize barcodes, along with a long overdue makeover to the Android logo and mascot.
iPhone 15 Pro 'major price hike' now looks like a lock — here's why
By John Velasco last updated
Another new rumor indicates that we could see significantly higher iPhone 15 Pro prices when the premium phones arrive on Setptember 12.
How to create a contact poster on iPhone
By John Velasco last updated
Contact Posters in iOS 17 is a more personalized way of sharing your contact profile with other iPhone users. Here's how you can create them.
iPhone 15 Pro could be Apple’s greatest life saving device ever — here’s why
By John Velasco published
The iPhone 15 Pro series is expected to ditch the mute button in favor of an Action button that could be programmed to get help in the event of an emergency.
I spent a month with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — what I love (and hate)
By John Velasco published
After testing the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for a month, it's one of the best foldables around, but there's still room for improvement.
Philips Hue’s entry into the home security space is a bright idea — here’s why
By John Velasco published
Philips Hue Secure is the company's line of home security products, starting with security cameras, contact sensors, and a refreshed app experience.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra camera face-off — which flagship could win?
By John Velasco published
Neither phone is official yet, but there are enough rumors and leaks for us to dive deeper into a potential iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra camera face-off.
Google Pixel 8 just leaked by Google itself — here’s your first look [Update]
By John Velasco last updated
Whether it was by mistake or not, we get our closest look yet at the upcoming Google Pixel 8 Pro thanks to a leak from none other than Google.
The iPhone is dominating smartphone shipments ahead of iPhone 15 release — and that's bad news for Android
By John Velasco last updated
According to Omdia’s Smartphone Model Market Tracker, Apple's iPhones topped the list for the most shipped smartphones for the first half of 2023.
iPhone 15 Pro Max camera: it could be the video camera I’ve been waiting for
By John Velasco published
I'm a videographer and rumors about the iPhone 15 Pro Max/iPhone 15 Ultra could make it the b-roll camera that takes me away from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Here's why.
Sorry DJI — this pocketable, folding drone is the most fun I've had flying in a long time
By John Velasco published
The HoverAir X1 drone flies all on its own, avoids obstacles, and can follow you around. Best of all, its foldable design makes it compact — and it's the most fun I’ve had flying in a long time.
We took some of the best flagship phones for an astrophotography face-off — here are the results
By John Velasco published
Today's smartphones are equipped to handle astrophotography, so we tested some of the best flagship camera phones to see which one does the best job at capturing the stars.
I drove the Ford F150 Lightning — and all other EVs are ruined for me
By John Velasco published
The Ford F150 Lightning Platinum Edition looks devilishly good with its all-matte black exterior, but driving it made me realize the conveniences electric vehicles have to offer.
Verizon Mobile Protect now offers unlimited cracked screen replacement without a deductible — is your phone eligible?
By John Velasco published
Cracked screens will be the least if your concerns because Verizon Mobile Protect provides customers with unlimited replacements without paying a deductible.
I was wrong about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — here’s why
By John Velasco published
Even though it's not a native features, you can actually run all your favorite apps on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's Flex Window outer display using the Good Lock app.
New iPhone 15 Pro — why the action button is the real game changer
By John Velasco last updated
The iPhone 15 Pro could pick up an Action Button when it debuts in the fall. Could that mean a walkie-talkie feature similar to what the Apple Watch offers?
New iPhone 15 production has already begun — and more details just leaked
By John Velasco last updated
A regulatory filing in India reveals what's potentially one of the new iPhone 15 models, while Foxconn's iPhone manufacturing facilities have started production, according to a new report.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 — but that’s not its coolest feature
By John Velasco published
While the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts an impressive design complete with a durable hinge design and one of the sleekest foldables around, it's actually more impressive for its quadruple camera system.