
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

I tried Hold Assist in iOS 26, and it solves one of the most annoying things about phone calls — here's how it works
By Philip Michaels published
Hold music, begone — a new Hold Assist feature in iOS 26 does the waiting for you when you're put on hold. Here's what you need to know about this feature.

Google Pixel 10 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25: Battle of the Android phones takes shape
By Philip Michaels published
Google is holding a hardware event in August where it should show off its new phones. Here's how the upcoming Google Pixel 10 could compare to the Galaxy S25.

iOS 26 public beta is live — 7 new iPhone features you need to try first
By Philip Michaels last updated
Getting started with iOS 26? These are the features that will likely have the biggest impact on your day-to-day iPhone use.

iOS 26 public beta LIVE — new iPhone features to try, how to download and latest news
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iOS 26 public beta is out and ready to install on your iPhone — if you're ready. Find out all the details on Apple's latest software release, including new features, interface changes and more.

I've been testing iOS 26 for a month — 5 tips you need to know now that the public beta is here
By Philip Michaels last updated
Follow these tips for a better experience with the iOS 26 beta

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Here's how Google can beat Samsung
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be tough to beat. But there are ways the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold could outshine its rival.

Best cable modems in 2025: Say goodbye to equipment rental fees for good
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
The best cable modems let you avoid monthly rental fees from your ISP and give you greater control over your home network.

Best international phone plans in 2025 — what travelers need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 battery life — the results are in
By Philip Michaels published
We've had a chance to test the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. Here's how these new Samsung foldables perform in the critical area of battery life.

T-Mobile vs. Verizon — here's why we updated our pick for the best phone carrier
By Philip Michaels published
There's been a reversal in the top spot for our rankings of U.S. phone carriers. Here's how T-Mobile was able to overtake Verizon.

iOS 26 Safari lets you pick your own tab design — here's how to do it
By Philip Michaels published
Liquid Glass is very much present in the iOS 26 version of Safari, but you can put your own stamp on the layout by picking one of three layouts for the tab design.

I was underwhelmed by the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE — here's why it could be worth buying anyway
By Philip Michaels published
Maybe the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE didn't impress me when it debuted alongside Samsung's premium foldable phones. But there are still plenty of reasons this lower-cost model delivers good value.

AutoMix gets the hype in iOS 26's Music app, but there’s another change that’s even better
By Philip Michaels published
iOS 26 is bringing a couple changes to the Music app on your iPhone. Find out more about AutoMix and Pins, including how to use them.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: 5 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
By Philip Michaels published
Bigger screens and beefed-up AI features make a compelling case to buy the Galaxy Z Flip 7. But there are reasons to skip the new foldable, too.

What is Lyca Mobile: Plans, coverage and what you need to know about this low-cost phone carrier
By Philip Michaels published
Lyca Mobile offers low-cost phone plans — particularly if you're willing to pay for a full year's of service in one go. Here's what you can expect to pay and how it compares to rival carriers.

iOS 26 Photos — here's the biggest upgrades for your iPhone
By Philip Michaels last updated
Customize your collections layout and look up event info from your photos

iPhone 17 release date: All the possibilities for this year's phone launch
By Philip Michaels last updated
What we can learn from past iPhone releases for this year's launch

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: 5 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
By Philip Michaels published
There's a lot to like about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 if you're considering buying the phone — but there are a few things to fret about, too.

My daughter needed a laptop for school — this last-minute Prime Day deal helped me nab a MacBook Air on the cheap
By Philip Michaels published
It's never too late to find a good deal on a back-to-school laptop, as I discovered when I got a discounted MacBook Air for my daughter.

Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is incredibly thin and light — here's how it stacks up to other slender phones
By Philip Michaels published
Whether open or closed, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 cuts a slender profile. But how does it compare to other phones in terms of thinness and weight?

Galaxy Unpacked 2025 LIVE: All the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 and Watch 8 news
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event brought us updated versions of the Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Watch. Get all the details on everything Samsung revealed.

The OnePlus 13R is my favorite budget phone — and this Prime Day price makes it an even better value
By Philip Michaels published
A Prime Day deal brings the OnePlus 13R's price down to the level of last year's model. And you can get it even lower if you tie the phone to a carrier.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Does Samsung's stab at a low-cost foldable phone miss the mark?
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE finally delivers a lower-cost Samsung foldable. But the phone feels too much like a repackaged Galaxy Z Flip 6.
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