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 cheap cell phone plans under $40](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5ap6JWaGqqLmLpcYTPFfFX-320-80.jpg)
The best cheap cell phone plans 2024
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.
![Made by Google hardware event with Google executive Rick Osterloh on stage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/phQm6cBAkqqSG9M8JWq2PS-320-80.jpg)
I cover smartphone launches, and Google's Pixel 9 event is the one that has me excited
By Philip Michaels published
Google plans a hardware event for August 13 — two months earlier than its usual product launches for the fall. Here's why that's a bigger deal than you might have realized.
![best cell phone plans](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eZ3GaReiuB8ZVjNgbRm5vY-320-80.jpg)
Best cell phone plans in 2024: The best options for your monthly phone service
By Philip Michaels last updated
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.
![All iPhone 15 models shown together.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6Cy2F2zhuWSXeUYJnfLxqh-320-80.jpg)
Best iPhones in 2024: Which iPhone should you buy?
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best iPhones for every need and budget based on our reviews.
![iPhone 16 camera pill design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zXqDLvyceym2MF3YmDyX6o-320-80.jpg)
Rumored iPhone 16 camera layout is the right move, even if it’s for the wrong reason
By Philip Michaels published
It's looking increasingly likely that Apple is going to change the camera layout on the iPhone 16. It's an improved look, even if it doesn't lend the desired boost to spatial video.
![Galaxy s25 Ultra concept design by Technizo Concept on YouTube](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NhiRH65M9hWSqKcZZKQqXD-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: All the rumors so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung is already at work prepping the next premium flagship for its lineup. Here's what we've heard about the Galaxy S25 Ultra ahead of its 2025 launch.
![iO 18 Gallery featured ion iPhone in Apple's gallery](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UkAAEQdFTB9f6ewZzdAqxi-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 Control Center — 5 biggest changes coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Customization is a big focus in iOS 18, and that's especially true for the Control Center. You get more control panels in this refreshed version and more ways to customize the layout.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 15](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8AZyqv9XcXvVmtUFf6gqi4-320-80.jpg)
I put the Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 15 through a 7-round face-off — here's the winner
By Philip Michaels last updated
The two top smartphones go at it in our Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 15 face-off, as we look to see which is the best phone for $799.
![best verizon phone plans](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ShkJM2EaUTu3ebam3AVhPL-320-80.jpg)
Best Verizon phone plans for 2024: Unlimited, prepaid and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best Verizon phone plans available, whether you’re looking for an unlimited plan, prepaid or a family plan.
![best Mint Mobile plans](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HAQZPfQCuRtS7kkDPmMx87-320-80.jpg)
Best Mint Mobile plans 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best Mint Mobile plans feature some of the cheapest prices right now — here's how to save on your monthly wireless phone service.
![iOS 18 logo show on iPhone.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yBhnnHFuUZwHmGfuuRFWQG-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 is getting a huge upgrade with reminders — what you need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
As part of the iOS 18, you'll be able to create a reminder within the Calendar app, as Apple looks for ways to save you from having to jump between different apps.
![Galaxy Unpacked invitation for July 10 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d8eLb63hWhyLGRnbK3rgpQ-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Unpacked announced for July 10 — get ready for the biggest Samsung event in years
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung has set a date for its next Galaxy Unpacked event, where we should see the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, along with the Galaxy Ring and new Galaxy Watches.
![Motorola Razr 2024 vs Motorola Razr 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4HvA74j4bNJiGsr9VJFzdR-320-80.jpg)
Motorola Razr (2024) vs. Motorola Razr (2023): All the major differences
By Philip Michaels published
Here's how Motorola's latest budget foldable compares to its predecessor
![iOS 18 logo on an iPhone 15 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VWSSU7vyFQe7m5kCEAAFxS-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 Safari — biggest new features for your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Two big changes in iOS 18 Safari include Highlights and a redesigned Reader, both of which bring new summary skills to the mobile web browser.
![galaxy unpacked foldables launch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sn5oJBqJG9zLgeYfftsN6b-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 — 5 big questions before these foldables arrive
By Philip Michaels published
We're getting closer to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 launch. Here's what we still need to find out about Samsung's next foldable phones.
![iOS 18 notes app on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dEwLCQtoSaZ5UpVs9Nf7D7-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 Notes — 5 biggest changes coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Apple may not have spent a lot of time previewing iOS 18 Notes during WWDC, but the built-in note-taking app will see some pretty big changes with this year's iPhone software update.
![iPhones showing Apple Intelligence features](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XNswekLWT3vsQpWdNEP2m7-320-80.jpg)
Apple Intelligence underscores Apple’s biggest iPhone mistake in years
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile never cared for Apple's move to use different chipsets in the same iPhone family. Apple Intelligence's lack of wider support only makes that decision more irritating.
![iOS 18 home screen customization features](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wz7BZbmXj7P98tBMUwBs5i-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 home screen — 5 biggest upgrades you need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
iOS 18 lets you change the look and layout of your home screen. Find out about all the changes you can make to the appearance of app icons and widgets.
![WWDC 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vXhmHeiudqJng2sBDHYsLG-320-80.png)
Apple Intelligence is leaving hundreds of millions of iPhone owners out in the cold — here’s why
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple Intelligence introduces a lot of interesting and promising features to your devices — if they meet Apple's requirements. And a lot of iPhones fall short of that.
![Leaked promo image of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vig3Cu9yPfRZiBZev4xk8V-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 both tipped for price hikes — this is a huge mistake
By Philip Michaels published
A rumor claims that both the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 will cost $100 more than their predecessors. No one likes to see price hikes, but this one would be especially bad.
![best iphone 14 cases](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/749FGTMDdSSjRvzLf5wKrE-320-80.jpg)
Best iPhone 14 cases in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best iPhone 14 cases add protection and style to your new Apple phone. Here are our picks for the cases that can keep your iPhone 14 looking good as new.
![iOS 18 Apple Maps trail and hiking maps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eFXhP4b25EFXATUMrJChCE-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 Maps — biggest new features coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
iOS 18 Maps focuses on just one feature, but it's a welcome one if you enjoy the great outdoors. Here's what you need to know about the addition of trail maps to iOS 18 and what it means for hikers.
![Galaxy s25 Ultra concept design by Technizo Concept on YouTube](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dXLg8BRAQ99xF46YGNg8QD-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S25's best feature could force a major price hike
By Philip Michaels published
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 likely to run the Galaxy S25 could prove to be a very pricey piece of Samsung's flagship phone.