
Philip Michaels
Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.
Latest articles by Philip Michaels

Google Beam brings 3D to video chat — here's how it works
By Philip Michaels published
Project Starline has a new name — and a looming launch

The Galaxy S25 Edge shows us what the trade-off is with thinner phones — and it's not one I'd make
By Philip Michaels published
As thin as the Galaxy S25 Edge, it also has a small battery that affects its ability to last a long-time on a charge. Could the iPhone 17 Air face the same fate this fall?

Google I/O 2025 preview: Gemini AI, Android XR and everything else to expect
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google I/O 2025 gets underway this Tuesday (May 20), with a keynote to kick things off. AI figures to be the focus of the event.

Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's how the best cell phone plans for seniors compare, ranging from the cheapest to best unlimited options.

Managing chores was turning into a family feud until I used Reminders on the iPhone to sort things out
By Philip Michaels published
If no one in your family seems to know whose turn it is to do the dishes, the Reminders app on the iPhone can eliminate confusion.

The iPhone 17 Air has nothing to worry about now that we've seen the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge — here’s why
By Philip Michaels published
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge certainly looks like an impressive phone. But it's nothing Apple can't overcome with the rumored iPhone 17 Air this fall.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. iPhone 17 Air: How these thin phones could compare
By Philip Michaels last updated
Battle of the ultra-thin phones

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: 6 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
By Philip Michaels published
Like any phone, the Galaxy S25 Edge has its strengths and weaknesses. Here are the biggest reasons to buy this new thin phone and why you might want to give it a pass.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge LIVE: Hands-on impressions, comparisons, specs and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung's virtual product launch is underway, as Galaxy S25 Edge has made its official debut. Follow our live blog for all the latest news about this brand new phone.

Apple is working on a 'product renaissance' for 2027 — here's the potential products I'm most excited about
By Philip Michaels published
It sounds like there's plenty in Apple's product pipeline

iPhone 17 price hikes — new report claims Apple could charge more this fall
By Philip Michaels published
Apple doesn't want to blame the tariffs

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be the world's thinnest foldable — there's just one problem
By Philip Michaels last updated
Battery life is an important aspect of any phone. But based on rumors, Samsung seems willing to sacrifice it on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 if it means a thinner foldable phone.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge debuts Monday — 3 things we know and 2 we still need to find out
By Philip Michaels published
As the Galaxy S25 Edge draws closer, we review what we know about Samsung's ultra-thin phone plus the key details that are still missing.

iPhone 17 release date: All the possibilities for this year's phone launch
By Philip Michaels published
There's no official word on an iPhone 17 release date. But using Apple's own history of iPhone rollouts, we can make an educated guess as to when the new models might arrive this year.

Goodbye, iPhone? Apple's Cue says the phone could be replaced by AI
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone may be an important part of Apple's business now. But Apple executive Eddy Cue says shifts in technology could mean that Apple's phone eventually makes way for something else.

Samsung just announced a May 12 Unpacked event — get ready for the Galaxy S25 Edge
By Philip Michaels published
After multiple previews showing off the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung sounds like it's ready to release the ultra-thin phone. A launch event is set for Monday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET.

Apple's rumored iPhone release date shake-up is good news for the iPhone 17 – here's why
By Philip Michaels published
A report claims that Apple will stagger its iPhone launches in 2026, with the standard iPhone coming out earlier in the year. If so, that's another argument in favor of an iPhone 17 upgrade.

I lose my TV remote all the time — and this sticker tracker has come to my rescue
By Philip Michaels published
The right tracker for certain types of jobs

I tried this wallet-sized tracker for a month — and I wouldn't recommend it
By Philip Michaels published
The Tile Slim is perfectly designed for a wallet or purse to make sure you don't lose track of your valuables. But the range is too limited to depend on this tracker.

Tile Pro 2024 review: Still a good key finder, but a backward step
By Philip Michaels published
The updated version of Tile's top-of-the-line key finder isn't as polished as past versions. Our Tile Pro 2024 review looks at what the key finder does well and where it falls short.

I've been testing key finders for a decade — and this is my new top pick
By Philip Michaels published
The Tile Mate may not be the most expensive of the Tile trackers, but it's the best.

Best cell phone plans in 2025: The best options for your monthly phone service
By Philip Michaels last updated
Looking for the best cell phone plan for your needs? We’ve rounded up the best choices for family plans, unlimited data and low-cost plans from prepaid carriers.

Buying a Galaxy S25? This carrier blows everyone else away
By Philip Michaels published
A new report shows how 5G connectivity speeds have gotten faster for more recent Galaxy S flagships. And one phone carrier in particular stands out for 5G download and upload performance.
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