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
![Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FPgS8tBFFHDDmcmvDudaW7-320-80.jpg)
Big price drop! Get the Moto G Stylus at Cricket and save $170
By Philip Michaels published
Motorola's midrange phone is great for note-takers, and you can get the latest version for $170 off the regular price when you buy the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) through Cricket Wireless.
![best iphone 15 pro max cases](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qw33tht5EecDdwcYDZaJm4-320-80.jpeg)
Best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
Now that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most expensive phone Apple's ever made, you'll want to keep it safe from harm. The best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases can help.
![iOS 18 logo next to iOS 18 Photos app screenshot on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7M8HmNoABMkmPGCffM83B9-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 Photos — all the new features coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
The iOS 18 version of Photos focuses on a redesign that's supposed to make it easier to find the images you're looking for. And Apple Intelligence should bring some new tools to Photos, too.
![iOS 18 logo on an iPhone 15 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NhD7YieM3pkjYFkVVUoAXj-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 features — here's which ones will (and won't) work with your iPhone
By Philip Michaels last updated
Just because your iPhone supports iOS 18, it won't necessarily be able to run every feature. Here's the iOS 18 capabilities that require specific iPhone models.
![Apple Watch Series 8 shown on wrist](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TKipScgveoEgfmpWmce8UB-320-80.jpg)
watchOS 11 has a feature I love so much, I hope iOS 18 steals it
By Philip Michaels published
iPhone users should be able to pause their Move streaks, too, Apple
![wwdc 2024 keynote live blog](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rQnA4inNNv9jUFaH3NFB6f-320-80.jpg)
Apple WWDC 2024: Apple Intelligence, iOS 18, new Siri, iPadOS 18 and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
AI takes center stage at Apple's developer event
![best mobile hotspots](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4CmSKZtMMNtnKnKjq3NJUV-320-80.jpg)
Best mobile hotspots in 2024
By Jeffery Battersby last updated
These are the best mobile hotspots for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile customers.
![iPhone 16 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LRHRJgnJqueph5xbXspJkR-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Can Apple beat Samsung’s best?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's how the phones compare based on iPhone 16 Pro rumors
![Unofficial renders of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max from the front](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GyyTEMvaZ4Ddz2CdxWKACo-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro displays — 5 biggest rumors for the new iPhones
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple could make some big changes to the displays on the iPhone 16 — quite literally, in the case of the Pro models. Here are the biggest rumors surrounding iPhone 16 displays right now.
![iPhone 16 ultra concept by 4RMD](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LiuQPUbn5totwWrWRLJVBc-320-80.jpeg)
iPhone 16 Ultra: All the rumors so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
A new top-of-the-line iPhone could be coming this year. Here's what we know about a potential iPhone 16 Ultra based on rumors about Apple's upcoming phones.
![Unofficial iOS 18 logo on an iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AuRomvkySEmFHuB868KNx4-320-80.jpg)
WWDC 2024 — 5 biggest iOS 18 questions for this year's Apple event
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple's about to preview iOS 18 — here's what we want to know
![Samsung Galaxy Fold 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6Kv8xLJNYnnyFcCQghNk89-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 — this is how Samsung can make them stand out at Unpacked
By Philip Michaels published
If Samsung wants the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 to stand out from stepped-up competition for foldable phones, it needs to highlight Galaxy AI additions.
![iPhone 15 iphone 15 pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WvxcvGGY8hJSQTVsqxLznE-320-80.jpeg)
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Biggest rumored differences
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple likes to distinguish its Pro models from the standard iPhone. An early iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro comparison finds some key differences already emerging.
![cheapest cell phone plans at wireless carriers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KzrzsuDmhy54iefT5ecgUZ-320-80.jpg)
Cell phone service for less — the cheapest plans we've found at each phone carrier
By Philip Michaels published
With the Affordable Connectivity Program ending, we look at the cheapest wireless plans available at the wireless providers we're tracking to help you keep your mobile costs down.
![Unofficial renders of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max from the front and back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c36pCvWkbjFe4A4XG8GrLo-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro design — 5 biggest rumors for the new iPhones
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iPhone's look isn't getting an overhaul, but there are some changes
![iOS 18 logo on an iPhone home screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kCX6V4w9dzkHLJYusXSYGe-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 AI should shake up Apple's iPhone lineup — here's how
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple usually drops the current Pro models when it introduces new iPhones. But if the iPhone 15 Pro models support on-device AI, why not keep them around after the iPhone 16 launch?
![Motorola Edge (2024)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FAgFLkG7tKJ5ShsHcZMycg-320-80.jpg)
Motorola Edge (2024) hopes to beat Google Pixel 8a at its own AI photo game
By Philip Michaels published
The Motorola Edge (2024) adds the Magic Editor, Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser tools of Google Photos, along with AI-optimized stabilization for its main camera.
![iPhone Flip foldable iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e2CrTzU6eYezxuuQWvXXo7-320-80.jpg)
iPhone Flip: Everything we know about Apple's foldable phone plans
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iPhone Flip could be Apple's first foldable phone. Here's what we know so far.
![Samsung Galaxy Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yCaNQqVYedssMGqhikYPs-320-80.jpg)
Samsung reveals Galaxy Ring launch date, as it takes Oura to court
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung has filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that its Galaxy Ring doesn't infringe upon the Oura Ring and its patents. And that filing reveals when the Galaxy Ring is arriving.
![iOS 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qoch7qCmGpoiskEQbNi2DU-320-80.jpg)
With iOS 18 on-device AI, Apple has some explaining to do
By Philip Michaels published
More details are emerging about how the AI features coming via iOS 18 will work. But those details are raising questions that only Apple can answer at WWDC 2024.
![Pixel 9 render and Pixel 8a photo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ibBmp4CxQiRWV2dNcQyqa-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 9: Should you buy now or wait?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Fans of Pixel phones need to decide whether to upgrade to the new Pixel 8a now or hold out for the Pixel 9 update coming later this year. We break down the arguments for either decision.
![Moto G 5G stylus review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5WJTTu6jod2TnYXtKLXnT8-320-80.jpg)
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) review: The stylus isn't the star
By Philip Michaels published
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) comes with a stylus for jotting down notes on the phone, but it's the bright display and long battery life that grab the spotlight here.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RryLCFU6ULSaDoFjVn3q34-320-80.jpg)
Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
Before you head overseas, find out what your cellphone provider will charge you to use your phone. Here are the different options offered by the four major wireless carriers.