
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

Galaxy S25 Edge battery life tested — here's the results
By John Velasco last updated
With its ultra thin construction, Samsung's only able to cram a 3,900 mAh battery inside of the Galaxy S25 Edge. We put it to the test to see how long it lasts.

One UI 8 beta kicks off with Galaxy S25 series — here's the new features and how to try it now
By John Velasco published
Samsung announced that One UI 8 is launching this summer with its upcoming foldables, but a beta program is available right now for Galaxy S25 device owners.

I tried the Galaxy S25 Edge’s hidden astrophotography mode — here’s my favorite shots
By John Velasco published
I used the Galaxy S25 Edge's hidden astrophotography mode to capture the night sky with great fidelity, complete with clearly defined stars and no noise.

More people are ditching Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile according to new data — here's where they're going
By John Velasco published
There's a shakeup going on right now in wireless service, as a new report reveals how cable companies are seeing huge customer gains over traditional phone carriers in the U.S.

JackRabbit OG2 Pro review: This micro ebike packs a punch
By John Velasco published
The JackRabbit OG2 Pro gains a few upgrades that make it a more powerful electric bike while retaining the same compact and light design that the series is known for.

I drove the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N for a week — and it’s what I would’ve wanted in my 20s
By John Velasco published
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N packs a sporty design paired with an impressive driving performance that can keep with the zippy acceleration of today's EVs.

I tried the Supcase MagFlip Stand and it’s ruined all other MagSafe wallets I’ve used — here’s why
By John Velasco published
Stop using an ordinary wallet to store your stuff. I've been using the Supcase MagFlip Stand, and it holds more cards than any other MagSafe wallet I've used to date.

The Galaxy S25 Edge's thinness is wasted — this other Samsung phone deserves it more
By John Velasco published
The Galaxy S25 Edge is a missed opportunity for Samsung, which should've waited for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 instead to introduce a revolutionary, thinner design.

Desk charger by day, portable power by night — this 3-in-1 MagSafe charger does it all
By John Velasco published
The Rorry 3-in-1 Portable Charger is truly a deskside and travel charger because it packs a 10,000 mAh battery that can charge three of my devices simultaneously.

Forget Android XR smart glasses — 3 reasons why I’m more excited about the Project Astra upgrades
By John Velasco published
Project Astra AI improvements will have a broader, more immediate impact

Google's best-kept secret needs to be a standard Android 16 feature — and it could be game changing
By John Velasco published
There's a hidden desktop mode currently with the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, but Google needs to make it a native Android 16 feature. Here's why.

I shot over 200 photos with the Razr Ultra 2025 vs Razr Plus 2024 — here’s the winner
By John Velasco published
In order to find out which is the better camera phone, I snapped over 200 photos with the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 vs Razr Plus 2024 to see how they stack up against one another.

I drove the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz for a week — and it gets more attention than any other EV on the road
By John Velasco published
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz blends an iconic design with a more modern twist, while offering good efficiency and a comfortable ride that seats up to six people.

Best unlocked phones in 2025
By John Velasco last updated
The best unlocked phones give you the freedom to choose your carrier without being bogged down by payment plans.

I’ve spent 24 hours with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge — here’s what I like and what I don’t
By John Velasco published
With the Galaxy S25 Edge in my possession, I took it for a spin for an entire day to see what the hype is all about with this ultra-thin phone.

Best foldable phones of 2025
By John Velasco last updated
More phone makers than ever are coming out with devices you can fold into more compact designs. These are the best foldable phones we’ve tested.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 review: The most powerful flip phone to date
By John Velasco last updated
The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 enters flagship territory with its outstanding performance, helpful Moto AI features, and a design that continues to impress.

Square Handheld is a waiter's dream come true — and it’s something I wish I had 20 years ago
By John Velasco published
The Square Handheld is a $399 priced all-in-one mobile payments solution that waiters and servers could use to do their jobs more effectively by saving time.

I just test drove the 2026 BMW iX — and it can change lanes with head gestures
By John Velasco published
The 2026 BMW iX is rich in premium features, including its take on adaptive cruise control, but it can change lanes on its on with simple head gestures. I got to try this and I'm impressed.

How does the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge compare to other flagships? The answer might surprise you
By John Velasco published
After holding the Galaxy S25 Edge in my hands, I have a better idea of how thin it is versus some of today's flagship phones. And you know what? It's noticeable.

Samsung’s putting Apple to shame with the One UI 7 update for my Galaxy S23 Ultra — and it’s not even close
By John Velasco published
With the release of the One UI 7 update for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it shows exactly how Samsung is beating Apple in the software game.

Best phones under $300 in 2025
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.

iPhone Fold invisible crease sounds great — but this is the feature Apple can't afford to ignore
By John Velasco published
Apple appears to be working on getting a nearly invisible crease with its iPhone Fold, but it needs to ensure that the same amount of resources is being poured into its multitasking experience.

Best cheap phones 2025 tested — June top picks
By John Velasco last updated
These are the best cheap phones you can buy based on our testing and reviews.

Sorry, Galaxy S25 Edge — this is the thin phone I want Samsung to release instead
By John Velasco published
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha that appeared more than a decade ago is exactly the kind of device that deserves a comeback instead of Samsung putting its efforts into thin phones like the Galaxy S25 Edge.
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