
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

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.

Apple says it's time to upgrade to iOS 26 — here's why you actually should
By Philip Michaels published
Apple is now pushing holdouts to upgrade to iOS 26. And the company is right to do so.

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.

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

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.

Galaxy S26 vs Galaxy S25: Should you get a Black Friday phone deal now or wait for the new model?
By Philip Michaels published
Prices on the current Galaxy S25 models are falling for Black Friday. Is it better to take advantage of those deals now or should you hold out for the improved Galaxy S26?

Cell phone service for less — the cheapest plans we've found at each phone carrier
By Philip Michaels last updated
If price is your biggest concern, these are the cheapest options out there

I’m tired of notifications interrupting my iPhone games — here’s how I set things up to play in peace
By Philip Michaels published
Nothing takes you out of a game like an incoming notification. Here's how I've set up my phone for distraction-free gaming with two built-in iOS tools.

Mint Mobile’s unlimited data plan is 50% off for Black Friday — here’s how to lock in that low rate for a whole year
By Philip Michaels published
Mint Mobile has cut its best rate on unlimited data in half, making it a good option for switchers who want to lock in a lower wireless cost for the next year.

iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 Pro shoot-out: Which camera phone zooms better?
By Philip Michaels published
Here's how zoom shots captured by the iPhone 17 compare to what the dedicated telephoto lens on the Pixel 10 Pro shoots.

We've tested the best Android phones available right now from Samsung, Google, OnePlus and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
Our list of the best Android phones at every size and for every budget will help you make the right choice.

I love the OnePlus 15 but here's why I'm waiting (and hoping) the cheaper 15R comes to the US
By Philip Michaels published
OnePlus flagship models impress, but the phone maker's R series devices deliver top value. Here's hoping that continues with a OnePlus 15R model.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15: Should you upgrade?
By Philip Michaels published
If you've got an iPhone 15, you may be tempted to upgrade to Apple's latest flagship. Our iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15 comparison looks at whether the changes are worth it.

Best phones 2025 tested — Our top picks
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best phones you can buy at a wide range of prices based on our extensive testing and head-to-head comparisons.

9 hidden iOS Messages features everyone needs to know
By Philip Michaels published
From adding flare to certain texts to sending cash to pay back friends, these are the iOS Messages I turn to all the time.

Like it or not, we need the Galaxy S26 Edge — and here’s why its design is more valuable than battery life
By Philip Michaels last updated
If the rumors are true and Samsung is dropping plans for a Galaxy S26 Edge, that could turn out to be a big mistake. Here's why we need another version of the ultra-thin phone.

Visible: Are the wireless carrier's low-cost unlimited plans too good to be true?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Verizon-owned Visible offers unlimited smartphone data starting at $25 a month. It's a compelling alternative to pricier wireless phone providers, thanks to Verizon's extensive network.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge: All the rumors so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's what we're expecting from Samsung's ultra-thin phone follow-up

Samsung Galaxy S26 release date rumors — here's when we expect it to launch
By Philip Michaels last updated
We're used to seeing the Galaxy S flagships appear early in the year, but several reports suggest the Galaxy S26 family could arrive later than usual. Here's what we know so far.
Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!
