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
![Samsung Galaxy A54 back in violet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eEFKyvbkipQbGQ7y3hvK6b-320-80.jpg)
Best cheap phones 2024
By John Velasco last updated
These are the best cheap phones you can buy based on our testing and reviews.
![Moto G 5G 2024 review font of phone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GC2LW8objDSYs4iwyv2cQ9-320-80.jpg)
Best cheap phones under $300 in 2024
By John Velasco last updated
We've gathered the best cheap phones for those who are on a tight budget. You have to make serious compromises with these devices, but at least they're inexpensive.
![WWDC 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bfJ2tCCf47YP4JK8FJQZyi-320-80.png)
Siri just got a huge boost with Apple Intelligence — here’s everything it can do now
By John Velasco last updated
Apple Intelligence is being added to Siri to make it much smarter. Here are all the things you'll be able to do.
![BBQ Daddy Grill Brush used to clean grill.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yWPsyTz6xAX8pXzBpsWQUg-320-80.jpg)
I tossed all of my bristle grill brushes for the Scrub Daddy BBQ Grill Brush — here’s why
By John Velasco published
The BBQ Daddy Grill Brush from Scrub Daddy makes it a breeze to remove tough messes on your grill this summer with its unique features.
![2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QhW94Z22uHri5fJo3HTbdP-320-80.jpg)
If your next car isn't an EV, then at least it should be a hybrid — here's why
By John Velasco published
EVs have their own set of challenges, but if you're not quite sold on them, you should think about buying a hybrid vehicle at the very least. Here's why.
![iPhone 15 Plus vs Galaxy S24 Plus composite.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vken4YDrZwEP3Ds8EzmvTE-320-80.jpg)
I took over 200 photos with the iPhone 15 Plus vs Galaxy S24 Plus — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
In this Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus photo shootout, I captured over 200 photos to see which is the better phone for photography under different conditions.
![2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fi8rrFZD78exGb2xYmwS3Q-320-80.jpg)
I drove a Hyundai Elantra Hybrid for a week — and I’ll never buy a gas-only car again
By John Velasco published
EVs too much? Here's a great alternative
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Review Photos.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MJhjL5YBnHQH67VuvVAh9V-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S25: All the rumors so far
By John Velasco last updated
Rumors and news about the Samsung Galaxy S25 are starting to ramp up, so we detail everything we know about the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra.
![Lisen 3-in-1 Charging Station Cube on desk with deal badge next to it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/szDAvYRG3spxjAB8Vw9ELM-320-80.jpg)
Forget Anker — this 3-in-1 MagSafe cube charger I’ve been using is 65% off for early Prime Day
By John Velasco published
Why pay $150 for Anker when this is $27
![Motorola Razr (2024) vs Razr Plus (2024).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FxNoWYBt9Y4U3964DGKwEP-320-80.jpg)
5 ways Motorola Razr (2024) beats Razr Plus (2024)
By John Velasco published
The Motorola Razr (2024) might be the smaller sibling to the Razr Plus (2024), but you can't discount the standard model this year because it's packing features that you won't get in the Plus.
![iPhone 14 Pro Max and Pixel 8 Pro without phone cases.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FwUjMNqHHNSUXvwXk8hdkL-320-80.jpg)
I went a week without using a case on my phone — here’s what I learned
By John Velasco published
I tried going without a phone case for a week and learned some things from the experience. While there are benefits, going naked with a phone did introduce another problem for me.
![Kuhl Q smart air conditioner installed in a window.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LXyPtRBq4ddQRKTwzsfhNR-320-80.jpg)
I’ve been using smart appliances for years now — but do I really need them?
By John Velasco published
It's more than just turning them on remotely
![Kia EV9.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QjZLwfj6ycEuWzqEqBoFdd-320-80.jpg)
I charged a Kia EV9 for the first time and it was more expensive than filling up my gas-powered car
By John Velasco last updated
First time EV owners could be in for a shock when they charge their vehicles at a charging station for the first time. It might cost more than filling up gas-powered vehicles.
![Husqvarna Automower 450XH EPOS mowing lawn outside.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R87SzDjwh6kfrfq5xY4EHW-320-80.jpg)
Robot lawn mowers — the next big frontier for smart homes
By John Velasco published
You'll save yourself a lot more time for other things
![Front of Kia EV3 shown showing off headlights and tires.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/enon6HB8cgLQRfEwoXSWGf-320-80.jpg)
The Kia EV3 could be the one car to convince me to buy an EV — here’s why
By John Velasco published
The Kia EV3 sports a stylish, futuristic design similar to the larger Kia EV9, but could come in at a much more affordable cost. Here's why it could be the one to convince me to finally buy an EV.
![Screenshot of lock an app demo with iOS 18 during WWDC 2024 keynote.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fTLLyvxUSYSQvzg2grGVu-320-80.jpg)
Sorry, Apple — iOS 18 locked apps feature is great, but Android’s is still better
By John Velasco published
Apple needs to roll out multiple users support
![Android mascot in a triangle flexing his arms as an android 15 promo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g5akjxPZhrgj4VJ3xEt5K5-320-80.png)
Android 15 beta 3 rolling out now — here’s what’s new
By John Velasco published
Google announced the availability of Android 15 beta 3, which refines the sign-into apps process with a new single-step UI experience. Here's what else is new in the latest beta.
![Galaxy Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pp9ArU8bbXbFvThKvtDMka-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Ring charging case — leaked image gives us our first look
By John Velasco published
Will there just be one?
![An all electric Tesla Model 3 in white on cement road with trees in background on sunny day.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7L55ZrcXePgR9KSs7b3vqX-320-80.jpg)
The EV revolution has stalled — and this new poll reveals why
By John Velasco last updated
Less than half of Americans plan to buy one
![iPhone 15 Pro vs. Galaxy S24 Plus held in both bands showing their back casings.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ngXzrtoeKgZZuAXC9NuJgC-320-80.jpg)
I took over 200 photos with the iPhone 15 Pro vs. Galaxy S24 Plus — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
To find out which camera phone is better I took over 200 photos with the iPhone 15 Pro vs. Galaxy S24 Plus. Here's the results.
![Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ht8Cn55sM27CajmFiFtjMV-320-80.jpg)
The new Siri with Apple Intelligence looks like a huge leap forward — but it's missing one thing
By John Velasco last updated
Siri's getting new features with the help of Apple Intelligence, but it's still lacking the perception and self-awareness to really take AI to the next level. Here's why.
![ios 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cj8Zfko4fqnTr4r6uprNsk-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 — all the new AI features coming to your iPhone
By John Velasco last updated
You should save a whole lot of time with AI
![Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with Galaxy AI.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p5J4zoWQP8obD89V8ZBBJR-320-80.jpg)
I gave my Galaxy S22 Ultra new life with Galaxy AI features, but it exposes a conundrum — here’s why
By John Velasco published
It's great, but does expose one issue around AI