
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

I needed help writing after breaking my arm — so I put the built-in voice recorder apps on top phones to the test
By Philip Michaels published
Which phone produces the most accurate transcripts of voice recordings?

No phone has disappointed me more this year than the OnePlus 15R — here’s why
By Philip Michaels published
Past OnePlus R series models have offered a lot of value by delivering some premium features in a lower-cost device. But the OnePlus 15R doesn't clear the bar set by its predecessors.

Best phone battery life in 2025: The longest lasting smartphones
By Philip Michaels last updated
These phones held out for at least 14 hours in our test to offer the best phone battery life.

I customized my iPhone lock screen using iOS 26.2's new transparency slider and I'm happier with how it looks
By Philip Michaels published
Apple keeps adding ways to tweak the effects of Liquid Glass in iOS 26. Here's the latest tool, which adjusts the transparency of the clock on your iPhone's lock screen.

I’ve found the best phone under $200 but just make sure you’re getting the right model
By Philip Michaels published
The Moto G (2026) is a solid choice if you don't want to spend more than $200 on a phone. But don't be tempted by the 2025 model which has seen a price cut since the new version came out.

Best Verizon phone deals for December 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best Verizon phone deals available right now for both Android and Apple devices.

Moto G Power returns for 2026 with promises of long battery life — but will it be Motorola’s longest-lasting phone?
By Philip Michaels published
Recently, the Moto G has proven to be a long-lasting budget phone. But the Moto G Power (2026) looks to regain its crown with a larger battery.

Samsung Galaxy S26 needs to step up its battery game — or it will fall way behind the competition
By Philip Michaels published
The OnePlus 15 took a big leap forward with battery life. Will the latest Galaxy S models be able to do the same when Samsung releases the Galaxy S26 lineup next year?

OnePlus 15 vs. OnePlus 15R: All the expected differences
By Philip Michaels published
The OnePlus 15R is coming soon, and it figures to debut with some of the same features as the OnePlus 15. But which features will make the cut?

Your kid's first iPhone doesn't have to be the newest model — this is the one I'd recommend
By Philip Michaels published
Turning to an older model like the iPhone 15 is a great way to get your kids a solid first phone without spending a bundle.

Galaxy S26 Plus is rumored to return to Samsung's flagship lineup — with these 5 big changes
By Philip Michaels published
For a while, it looked like the Galaxy S26 Plus may not be part of Samsung's plans. But with rumors pointing to it remaining in the S26 lineup, here's what you can expect from the new model.

Waiting to upgrade to iOS 26? Here's why you actually should now
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple is now pushing holdouts to upgrade to iOS 26. And the company is right to do so.

Best unlimited data plans in 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Lots of wireless carriers promise limitless data, but only one can have the best unlimited data plan. Here’s the plan you should sign up for to save money.

The best cheap cell phone plans 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Want to keep your monthly wireless bill under $40? We've found the best cheap cell phone plans from several different carriers that help you save.

Moto G (2026) review: The best phone for less than $200
By Philip Michaels published
The Moto G (2026) doesn't cost that much and gives you long battery life in return. But does the phone's value outweigh what you have to give up to get such a low-cost device?

This Gmail feature will cut down the clutter in your inbox — and it's a huge time saver
By Philip Michaels last updated
Less mailing list chaos right now

Best iPhones in 2025: Which iPhone should you buy?
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best iPhones for every need and budget based on our reviews.

Best phone carriers of 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Trying to find the best phone carrier for your wireless service? Here's how the top providers rank based on data speeds, phone selection and more.

I used to miss incoming notifications — this iOS 26.2 improvement makes sure I see all my alerts
By Philip Michaels published
You can already make your camera flash to alert you to notifications on the iPhone. But iOS 26.2 expands that feature. Here's how I use it to never miss an incoming alert.

Galaxy S26 camera rumors: 5 features tipped for this year’s flagships
By Philip Michaels published
Don't expect an overhaul of the cameras on any Samsung Galaxy S26 model. But we could see some changes that impact the top camera phones from Samsung.

I'm skeptical about the Galaxy Z TriFold — here are the 5 big questions I have about Samsung's triple-folding phone
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung's revealed some of the specs for its Galaxy Z TriFold phone coming to the U.S. next year. But some big questions remain about this triple-folding device.

Full Qi2 wireless charging support helps great phones stand out — and that's a problem for Samsung
By Philip Michaels published
Having a chance to charge Qi2-compatible phones has made me appreciate the convenience of this feature. And I notice when phones like the Galaxy S25 series don't fully support it.

Best cell phone plans in 2025: the best options for your monthly phone service
By Philip Michaels published
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.

iOS Reminders wii be impossible to ignore thanks to this iOS 26.2 addition — and that's great news for me
By Philip Michaels published
Among the changes in iOS 26.2 is an update to the Reminders app that lets you mark to-dos as urgent. That way, you'll be sure never to miss a reminder again.

Black Friday phone deals are the perfect reason to switch wireless carriers — here’s the best offers right now
By Philip Michaels published
A lot of Black Friday phone deals are aimed at getting you to switch your wireless service to a new carrier. Here's why you should take carriers up on that offer.
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