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
Not a typo! Samsung Galaxy S23 with Galaxy AI features is down to $250 without a trade-in
By John Velasco published
Best Buy is having an incredible deal on the Galaxy S23. This is made better by the fact that it has all the same Galaxy AI features as the newer S24.
Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: Biggest expected differences
By John Velasco published
AI features could again make all the difference
iPhone 16 — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
By John Velasco published
There's plenty to be excited about with these improvements
I tested Video Boost on the Pixel 8 Pro — here’s the results
By John Velasco published
Pixel phones have long offered Night Sight mode to brighten up photos captured under low light, but Video Boost brings the same improvements for video clips with the Pixel 8 Pro. Here's the results.
Moto G Power 5G (2024) review: Great battery life under $300, yikes cameras
By John Velasco published
You get a lot of endurance for less money with the new Moto G Power, but its dim display and lackluster cameras hold it back
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the weirdest EV I’ve seen yet — here’s why I might buy one
By John Velasco published
You might think differently about minivans
I photographed the solar eclipse with iPhone 15 Pro vs Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Pixel 8 Pro vs OnePlus 12 — here's the winner
By John Velasco last updated
I took the iPhone 15 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Pixel 8 Pro, OnePlus 12, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra for a solar eclipse shootout to see which flagship phone takes the best photos of the sun.
I gave my Galaxy S23 Ultra new life by installing a turbocharged software update — here’s why
By John Velasco published
Samsung's One UI 6.1 update just arrived on my Galaxy S23 Ultra, injecting new life by adding the same Galaxy AI features first available with the Galaxy S24 series.
Thinking of buying an EV? Here’s the one question you need to answer first
By John Velasco published
After I drove my first EV, I found out the biggest thing that could draw buyers away from buying one. You need to answer this question first to find out if an EV is right for you.
This is how I plan to successfully photograph the April 2024 solar eclipse with my phone
By John Velasco last updated
I learned a few new tricks to take better solar eclipse photos
Interest in EV trucks like F150 Lightning is plummeting — here's why
By John Velasco last updated
Ford recently announced layoffs in its factory that produces the F150 Lighting, which is a sign that interest in EV trucks is starting to lessen. Here's why.
AI Eraser is OnePlus’ version of Magic Eraser — and it’s coming to new and older phones
By John Velasco published
OnePlus is diving into the world of AI with its first one, AI Eraser, which lets users easily remove unwanted stuff in photos with the help of generative AI.
Forget Pixel 8 Pro — Pixel 7 Pro with 512GB storage is 55% off right now
By John Velasco published
Last year's flagship at a mid-range price
Forget iPhone 16 Pro — what if DJI made a smartphone?
By John Velasco published
The drone maker could be a serious contender
iPhone SE 4 leak just revealed the biggest design changes
By John Velasco published
Leaked images of an iPhone SE 4 dummy unit reveals big design changes that include ditching Touch ID in favor of Face ID, a single camera cutout on the back, and much more.
New York Auto Show 2024: here’s the one vehicle I'd buy over all EVs
By John Velasco published
Plug-in hybrids will help bridge the gap for many
I took over 200 photos with the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Pixel 8 Pro — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
In this latest face off, we captured over 200 photos with in this Galaxy S24 Ultra versus Pixel 8 Pro shoot out to see which has the better camera. Here's what we found out.
Ford F150 Lightning vs Tesla: 5 ways I think Ford's EV wins
By John Velasco last updated
After driving a Ford F150 Lightning, I've come to realize that it offers more value as an electric vehicle than most Teslas I've checked out and seen. Here are 5 ways Ford F150 Lightning beats Tesla.
Forget iPhone Flip — Apple needs to prioritize releasing this new iPhone first
By John Velasco published
With the iPhone Flip foldable phone reportedly delayed, Apple will need to release the iPhone SE 4 if it doesn't want to lose ground in the budget phone space. Here's why.
Moto G Power (2024) has the best battery life in phones under $300 — here’s why
By John Velasco published
We put the new Moto G Power (2024) through our battery benchmark test and it delivers the best battery life in a phone that costs less than $300.
I drove a Ford F150 Lightning for a weekend — here's my pros and cons
By John Velasco last updated
I'm wiser now after test driving the Ford F150 Lightning over a weekend, which got me used to all the ins and outs of using an electric vehicle. Here's what I love and hate about it.
Google Pixel 8 Pro review: A big leap for AI
By John Velasco last updated
From photos to everyday tasks, AI makes everything better on the Pixel 8 Pro
Not a typo! Get iPhone 15 Pro Max for 1 cent now in Amazon Big Spring Sale
By John Velasco last updated
Amazon's Big Spring Sale event brings back the free iPhone 15 Pro Max deal. This deal doesn't require a trade in of any kind, making it even better.
Who says the iPhone 16 can't be an action cam? These are the GoPro features I want Apple to copy
By John Velasco published
After using the GoPro Hero 12 Black to capture video inside of a car, there are features Apple couple copy to make the iPhone 16 a better camera phone. Here's what they are.