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
![AI-based soccer instruction demo at Google I/O 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iQB3tWcD6tR74NYaikywoh-320-80.jpg)
Google I/O 2024 — 7 best Gemini AI demos you need to see
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google I/O isn't just about keynote announcements. There are also demos and hands-on opportunities with the new technology. Here's what stood out for our managing editor for mobile.
![Gemini in Workspace](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yguzKAAEs9whABh4C8Nick-320-80.png)
Gmail is getting a big AI boost from Gemini — here’s all the new features
By Philip Michaels published
Gmail is getting tools that summarize conversations and produce more contextual smart replies thanks to the Gemini Ai model. Here's what you can expect.
![Google CEO Sundar Pichai](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QuwbFNVr8ksrvcd4ca6U8J-320-80.jpg)
Google I/O 2024 preview: Everything we expect to be announced
By Philip Michaels last updated
Expect the focus of this week's Google I/O 2024 to fall on AI and its place in all sorts of Google products. Here's your last-minute guide on what to expect from this week's Googke event.
![Quartiles game on Apple News Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6u2AnMxtCd5Gwo5vw4tKwG-320-80.jpg)
Apple News Plus adds another word game with iOS 17.5 update — here's how to play
By Philip Michaels published
The iOS 17.5 update to Apple's iPhone software brings two changes to Apple News Plus — a new word game called Quartiles and an offline mode for reading when you have no network connection.
![Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wCbUhgf3bkYkmaLTyL9vN9-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 6a: Should you upgrade?
By Philip Michaels published
If you bought a Pixel 6a when it first came out, you may be wondering if it's time to upgrade. Our Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a comparison looks at all the changes from one model to the next.
![Google Messages on Android phone next to Messages app on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ptzgAU2RNpxpNjaNbgRrZL-320-80.jpg)
Blue-green bubble divide — the state of iOS and Android messaging and how it’s about to change
By Philip Michaels last updated
If you're frustrated when between iPhones and Android devices, relief could be here sooner than you know it. Here's what to expect with the addition of RCS support to the iPhone's Messages app.
![Samsung Galaxy Fold 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bd2vHeJhkaLeHCqG7vtha9-320-80.jpg)
This Galaxy Z Fold 6 rumor has me convinced Samsung is gunning for its foldable phone rivals
By Philip Michaels published
A lot of foldable phones have come along in the past year to challenge Samsung's dominance in that category. The latest Galaxy Z Fold 6 rumors suggest that Samsung's ready to do something about it.
![Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xmcaeobschhBRwzRVEdQRC-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro — all the expected differences
By Philip Michaels last updated
It could be harder to spot the differences between the standard Pixel flagship and the Pro version this year. Our Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro comparison looks at why.
![Google Pixel 8a reasons to buy and skip](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NmqFiL5yVDzXasHPrewbxk-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8a: 5 reasons to buy, 3 reasons to skip
By Philip Michaels published
With the Pixel 8a now available for preorder, we look at the strengths and weaknesses of Google's latest midrange handset to see if it's the right phone for you.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aZD5EmBpdFBkwHUvZUcGyk-320-80.jpg)
The best 5G phones in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best 5G phones deliver faster downloads, lower latency and a lot more. Here are the 5G-capable phones worth your attention.
![Google Pixel 8 Pro held in hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfjXbiAaKkNED6r9Pz8YMf-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 9 cases leak seemingly confirms new Pixel 9 Pro XL model and design changes
By Philip Michaels published
There's a rumor that Google is planning a Pixel 9 Pro and a Pixel Pro XL, and these leaked phone cases seem to prove that.
![iPhone 16 Pro render front and back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5wDTVRZKp9R9XBGanPzCND-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 — how Apple can make this year's phone a must-have upgrade
By Philip Michaels published
There hasn't been a big wave of iPhone upgrades for several years now. Here's how Apple could convince people that this fall's iPhone 16 models are the ones to grab.
![Pixel 7a launch at Google I/O 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zs8ToDnxGskZAwLeWZ7xm5-320-80.jpg)
The Pixel 8a is coming soon — and I hope it's not Google's last A-series phone
By Philip Michaels published
Google's midrange phone serves an important role
![Moto G 5G 2024 review software interface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LtBeZViJQuVDebnDDHu5p-320-80.jpg)
Budget phones need to stop skimping on this one key feaature
By Philip Michaels published
You shouldn't have to choose between a low price and limited shelf life when you buy a phone. But that's the choice a lot of bargain phones force you to make.
![iPhone 15 on sale at Apple Store](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n8Ciif2cTCpDFgpPYXje2f-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 15 sales stall — here's why Apple's not worried
By Philip Michaels published
Apple reported a 10% drop in iPhone sales during the March quarter. But Apple's optimistic about its business going forward.
![A screenshot of an Instagram story showing two Pixel 8a handets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MqSUTg3Ng4FFm8SS26h4ZT-320-80.jpg)
Last-minute Pixel 8a rumors have me excited about Google’s upcoming phone
By Philip Michaels published
We expect the Pixel 8a to arrive this month, possibly at Google I/O on May 14. And two recent rumors, price and software support, paint an encouraging picture for the upcoming release.
![iphone 15 vs galaxy s24 zoom camera face-off](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6kgH4XcjrSmZgKewjEMUq4-320-80.jpg)
I tested the iPhone 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 in a zoom photo face-off — here's the winner
By Philip Michaels last updated
With a 48MP main camera, the iPhone 15 is able to capture 2x zooms without a dedicated telephoto lens? But how does that compare to what the Galaxy S24 and its 10MP telephoto camera can do?
![iOS 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aY9mW65ZnrcBqziB6MEMAo-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 likely to offer on-device AI — here's why that matters
By Philip Michaels published
Reports claim that Apple is going to introduce AI features in iOS 18 that run locally on the phone. That tells us a lot about potential features Apple could introduce.
![Apple Pencil 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feTJrHUutQDbXdnhD5skg6-320-80.jpg)
Forget the iPad — it's the iPhone 16 Pro that needs Apple Pencil 3 support
By Philip Michaels published
A new Apple Pencil could show up at Apple's May 7 iPad event. But the time is right for Apple's updated stylus to support more than just tablets.
![Moto G 5G 2024 review font of phone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GC2LW8objDSYs4iwyv2cQ9-320-80.jpg)
Moto G 5G (2024) review: The best phone under $200
By Philip Michaels published
There's value to be found if you're willing to compromise
![Conan O'Brien plays soccer in Argentina](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dpZkuwwCoQ5YKBruBZ22uZ-320-80.jpg)
I dropped my Max subscription — will Conan O’Brien’s new show make me get it back?
By Philip Michaels published
In "Conan O'Brien Must Go," the former late-night talk show host visits different parts of the globe, and Max subscribers are along for the ride.
![Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v37EVH3FXNt4DVGWEFXTj7-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Which budget phone will win?
By Philip Michaels published
Here's how a Pixel 8a vs. Galaxy A35 face-off is shaping up
![An image showing the Samsung Galaxy S24 with the Circle to Search feature being used on screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EaYBgece9ATb3WQ8krRv7g-320-80.jpg)
Circle to Search could be adding another feature — and I couldn't be happier
By Philip Michaels published
Code related to Circle to Search reveals the Galaxy AI tool could add the ability to create and share screenshots. It would be a welcome addition to what's already a helpful feature.