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
![iOS 18 public beta](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqzDBAUqm7DtYYHuAW2nWD-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 public beta hands-on review: A work in progress
By Philip Michaels published
Not yet ratedThere's a lot of changes coming to your iPhone beyond Apple Intelligence
![best family cell phone plan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fQuBq3CXED4NK77fEh5osm-320-80.jpg)
Best family cell phone plan in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
Looking for the best family cell phone plan? We can help you find a smartphone plan that brings unlimited data to multiple people without breaking the bank.
![best gps tracker for kids](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Zup3fEW3BWAYUwVmMsj3VK-320-80.jpg)
Best GPS tracker for kids in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
Our pick for the best GPS tracker for kids can help pinpoint a lost child’s location, giving worried parents some peace of mind.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 half folded on table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iHs9Dsrj2ch2wCZc9uwYFV-320-80.jpg)
Does Galaxy AI make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 $100 better?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung's charging more for its foldable phones this year. And whether you think the extra $100 is worth it depends on what you think about the phones' new Galaxy AI capabilities.
![Galaxy Z Flip 6 with thumbs up and thumbs down logos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PUwD5fnYZi88BuBxksMEoj-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 — 5 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
By Philip Michaels published
Should you get Samsung's latest foldable flip phone? Here are the reasons why the Galaxy Z Flip 6 would be a great pickup as well as why you might want to look elsewhere.
![Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Invite with Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Z Fold 6](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GfX8b3rmu3GgJNCt9U4WJJ-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked News: Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra and more
By Philip Michaels, Mark Spoonauer last updated
Meet the latest Samsung foldable phones and wearables
![Motorola Razr Plus 2024 hands-on.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JNhJ7SnzgML7CYRgaEeWZQ-320-80.jpg)
Foldable phones have passed a very big milestone to going mainstream
By Philip Michaels published
Foldable phones have started acing the Tom's Guide battery test, showing that they can last a long time on a charge. That's going to go a long way to convincing people to give these devices a try.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ShSLCcK45aEQTj8sRbSebe-320-80.jpg)
The best phones 2024 tested and rated
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.
![Total Wireless logo on blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8RWmHP7hSYCDTrv3zBBGyU-320-80.jpg)
Total revamps its prepaid wireless service, with 5-year rate guarantee, discounts for families
By Philip Michaels published
Total by Verizon is now Total Wireless, and the prepaid carrier is launching new plans that reflect what it says customers are asking for.
![Best foldabe phones, OnePlus Open and Google Pixel Fold next to one another.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jXryDrPntnwapRTBjMXHEn-320-80.jpg)
Best foldable phones of 2024
By Philip Michaels 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.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Motorola Razr Plus 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q4LNdaDoPGuCkZgMPfZQFD-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Motorola Razr Plus (2024): How the flip phones compare
By Philip Michaels last updated
Which flip phone should you get?
![best iphone 14 pro max cases](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zCuakGth5waGrv9a756xF7-320-80.jpg)
Best iPhone 14 Pro Max cases in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best iPhone 14 Pro Max cases can keep your precious iPhone looking like new, especially if you happen to drop it.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 hands-on.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vpegsm83Xk2sneSKMLAGZR-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 unveiled with better cameras and durability — but higher price
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Here's what's new with the $1,099 foldable flip phone.
![Galaxy Unpacked 2023 foldable phone launch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YZYAscd85mWKBQgyDRVjch-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Summer 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Ring and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung has set a date for its next Galaxy Unpacked event. Here's a look at when and where it's happening and all the products we're expecting to see.
![best unlimited data plan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UaoNWSnQkfmt6SEnfzBAuZ-320-80.jpg)
Best unlimited data plans in 2024
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.
![best phone battery life](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j5S34GAa6kBgMX4RvXJLAM-320-80.jpg)
Best phone battery life in 2024: The longest lasting smartphones
By Philip Michaels last updated
These phones held out for at least 13 hours in our test to offer the best phone battery life.
![Samsung Glaaxy S24 Plus in different colors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QRZxiRWrMG2NpMauVPf5aB-320-80.jpg)
Samsung rumored to be dropping the Galaxy S25 Plus — here's why that's a big mistake
By Philip Michaels published
Yet another rumor claims the days are numbered for a Plus version of the Galaxy S flagship. But that would leave a big hole in the Galaxy S25 lineup next year.
![best phone carrier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h5MECXK3SLLKq8yNyF9AiE-320-80.jpg)
Best phone carriers of 2024
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.
![iPhone 16 Pro render blue bg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h7K2wWQVnuVfnSgxHYtKdd-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 Pro rumors — everything we know so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iPhone 16 Pro won't arrive until the fall, but that's not stopping rumors from appearing now. Here's what we know so far about the iPhone 16 Pro.
![The Samsung Galaxy Ring in silver against an outer space background with stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8K4Q3PKKXMo8ThMyesWsCG-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked summer 2024 — here's everything to expect
By Philip Michaels last updated
Could Samsung's latest foldables wind up on the sideline?
![iOS 18 logo on an iPhone 15 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NhD7YieM3pkjYFkVVUoAXj-320-80.jpg)
10 best iOS 18 features for productivity — get more done on your iPhone with this update
By Philip Michaels published
Apple intelligence and greater customization in iOS 18 are getting most of the attention, but the iPhone software update also makes some notable improvements to boost your productivity.
![Fitness app on an iPhone 12 running iOS 17.5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a9mGCfqpiEGq28cyiAhukX-320-80.jpg)
My favorite iPhone app is the one that irritates me the most — here's why
By Philip Michaels published
The Fitness app is great at motivating people to get up and get moving. But its one big flaw raises questions about Apple's push into health tracking.
![iOS 18 Tap to Cash feature demonstrated by two iPhones digitally exchanging payments](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eSYwJt7oqgsJR56hiv3RGh-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 Wallet: 3 big changes coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Apple's digital wallet gets some new ways to pay in iOS 18 Wallet. Find out more about the changes, including event guides for tickets you store in the app.