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
![Google Pixel Fold shown in hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xnUAQeakptAQSnRaDgs9gC-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel Fold 2 release date could be key to beating the Galaxy Z Fold 6
By Philip Michaels published
Whether it's called the Pixel Fold 2 or the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the key thing about Google's next foldable phone is when it arrives. Here's why.
![OpenAI logo on phone sitting on top of laptop keyboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bgY6ZCGwqasDuht74rr3JW-320-80.jpg)
OpenAI could play a role in Apple’s iOS 18 update — and that has me worried
By Philip Michaels published
The company's developing a reputation for recklessness
![how to create guides in apple maps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7MVr5Yur5mc7cWyKnjH5pV-320-80.jpg)
Apple Maps has a trip-planning feature tool buried inside — here's how to use it
By Philip Michaels published
You can create guides in Apple Maps that include all the places you want to visit on a trip. We'll show you how to create a guide and how to share it with the people you're traveling with.
![iPhone 16 render front and back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CuF2xLWotirBaduW548DpJ-320-80.jpg)
Should I upgrade to the iPhone 16? These are the 5 key areas Apple needs to address
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone 16 is coming later this year. Our managing editor for mobile looks at what Apple needs to do to convince him to upgrade from his current phone.
![best android apps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bSG4ajHm5o9kW6xmnXEhGC-320-80.jpg)
Best Android apps in 2024
By Philip Michaels, John Velasco last updated
There are plenty of apps in the Google Play store, but we tracked down the best Android apps that deserve a place on your smartphone.
![boost mobile logo on a smartphone screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SjxEKW6uwrS8dSbaERhXYi-320-80.jpg)
Best Boost Mobile plans in 2024: What's the best option for you?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's a look at Boost Mobile's wireless plans, and which one is the best Boost Mobile plan for your needs.
![iphone 16 ultra concept](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zVebY7pNKagUzSXbX2Zd3U-320-80.jpeg)
iPhone 17 Slim could be the most expensive iPhone ever — but how?
By Philip Michaels published
It'll take more than a slim design to justify a premium iPhone
![iPhone trade-in values up at Apple for a limited time](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/33yp7zLdfXxNb5TqSFhzHi-320-80.jpg)
Hurry! Apple's boosting iPhone trade-in values for a limited time
By Philip Michaels published
If you trade-in your iPhone at Apple by June 3, you could get a bigger return than normal, as the company is increasing the size of the rebates it's offering for a limited time.
![iPhone SE 4 concept](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eagte8gWfBTE79XEKZpBY7-320-80.jpg)
iPhone SE 4 tipped for attractive price — but it will arrive too late to matter
By Philip Michaels published
A rumor claims the iPhone SE 4 may cost less than $500. But with the phone not expected until 2025, that may not make much of a difference.
![Lili Taylor and Hamish Linklater in "Manhunt," now streaming on Apple TV+.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dqocrUX4cxAd4z9pkBPd6h-320-80.jpg)
Not every streaming show needs to be a series — 'Manhunt' on Apple TV Plus proves it
By Philip Michaels published
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, I did not enjoy the show
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mByarSjasYC2rexzBzdJUA-320-80.jpg)
What's next for smartphone displays — tandem OLED, microLED and more
By Philip Michaels published
Display specs are taking on added importance as phone makers look to make their devices stand out.
![ios 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cj8Zfko4fqnTr4r6uprNsk-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 — here's how Apple can close the AI gap with Google
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google looks like it's far ahead of Apple when it comes to AI on mobile devices, but we could see some big changes with iOS 18 when that software update gets a preview at WWDC 2024.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3iuHPmgfEWjTVJSWtPLaq7-320-80.jpg)
Samsung may not produce a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold model this year — why that's a missed opportunity
By Philip Michaels published
A new report claims the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE won't appear this year after all. If true, Samsung is making a mistake by not coming out with a less expensive foldable.
![Project Starline 3D video conferencing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bo8XXXxBe358uWbWdieqwi-320-80.gif)
I just tried Google’s 3D video conferencing tool launching next year — here’s what Project Starline is like
By Philip Michaels published
Google's been working on Project Starline, which uses 3D imaging, AI, and other technologies to make your video conferences more personal. Google and HP plan to bring the product to market in 2025.
![iOS 17.5 ready to download in Settings app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T8TJkdnh4qAV6iar3g3Kkk-320-80.jpg)
iOS 17.5 is out now — here are the new iPhone features
By Philip Michaels last updated
iOS 17.5 mostly brings bug fixes, but there are some new additions to Apple News Plus, along with a cross-platform tracking detection feature developed with Google.
![Google Pixel 7a](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YiUm33cj6cqwusJWCexbj6-320-80.jpg)
Forget the Pixel 7a — the Pixel 8a is now the cheap phone to beat
By Philip Michaels last updated
Typically, when a new phone like the Pixel 8a launches, the price on its predecessor drops. But that hasn't happened yet for the Pixel 7a.
![Sundar Pichai wide shot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9FXgaURo5zEreekjkLue3e-320-80.png)
Google I/O 2024 announcements — all the big Gemini AI and Android 15 news
By Philip Michaels published
Get all the latest news from Google I/O as Google holds its annual developers conference, where the focus figures to be on artificial intelligence and Android among other Google products.
![Watching google cast of NBA app on Rivian R1S infotainment screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5GkXe8tQGoFo7JYPLj5K97-320-80.jpg)
Netflix and charge? Google Cast support coming to EVs
By Philip Michaels published
Rivian EVs will be the first to offer Google Cast support for when you're charging your vehicle
![AI-based soccer instruction demo at Google I/O 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iQB3tWcD6tR74NYaikywoh-320-80.jpg)
Google I/O 2024 — 7 best Gemini AI demos you need to see
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google I/O isn't just about keynote announcements. There are also demos and hands-on opportunities with the new technology. Here's what stood out for our managing editor for mobile.
![Gemini in Workspace](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yguzKAAEs9whABh4C8Nick-320-80.png)
Gmail is getting a big AI boost from Gemini — here’s all the new features
By Philip Michaels published
Gmail is getting tools that summarize conversations and produce more contextual smart replies thanks to the Gemini Ai model. Here's what you can expect.
![Metro by T-Mobile logo on a phone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AfK5WXz9cJQT4nfjDeB7jn-320-80.jpg)
Metro by T-Mobile launches Metro Flex to reward customers that stick around
By Philip Michaels published
The newly launched Metro Flex plans from Metro by T-Mobile give you a new phone up front and access to the same deals as new customers in the future.
![Google CEO Sundar Pichai](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QuwbFNVr8ksrvcd4ca6U8J-320-80.jpg)
Google I/O 2024 preview: Everything we expect to be announced
By Philip Michaels last updated
Expect the focus of this week's Google I/O 2024 to fall on AI and its place in all sorts of Google products. Here's your last-minute guide on what to expect from this week's Googke event.
![Quartiles game on Apple News Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6u2AnMxtCd5Gwo5vw4tKwG-320-80.jpg)
Apple News Plus adds another word game with iOS 17.5 update — here's how to play
By Philip Michaels published
The iOS 17.5 update to Apple's iPhone software brings two changes to Apple News Plus — a new word game called Quartiles and an offline mode for reading when you have no network connection.