Articles by: 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.

Articles by: Philip Michaels

Google Fi just added a streaming perk to its best unlimited data plan

By Philip Michaels published 16 November 22

YouTube Premium is now included with an Unlimited Plus subscription at Google Fi, making Google's phone carrier one of the few discount options to offer a streaming service as a perk.

iOS 16.2 beta just fixed one of the biggest iPhone 14 Pro problems

By Philip Michaels published 15 November 22

The always-on display gets a tweak in the iOS 16.2 Beta 3 release, allowing you to turn off the wallpaper and incoming notifications if you prefer a more minimalist look.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Meet the AI super chip that should power Samsung Galaxy S23

By Philip Michaels last updated 21 November 22

Here's what to expect from the chipset likely to feature in the biggest Android phones next year

photo of pixel 7 pro, iphone 14 pro max, and galaxy s22 ultra in had

What’s a good Black Friday phone deal? Here’s how to tell

By Philip Michaels published 15 November 22

There are lots of great smartphone deals out there for Black Friday, but the very best have the fewest conditions.

2022 midrange phones Galaxy A53 iPhone SE Pixel 6a

These phones prove that no one needs to spend $800 or more on a flagship anymore

By Philip Michaels published 12 November 22

Midrange phones are becoming more like flagships all the time in every way but price

iPhone 15 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max — the biggest upgrades I want to see

By Philip Michaels last updated 11 November 22

If an iPhone 15 Ultra really is in the works as has been rumored, Apple's going to have to find a way to make it stand out from its predecessors.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is instant $500 off now in Black Friday deal

By Philip Michaels published 10 November 22

A current deal at Samsung lets you save up to $500 instantly when you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and you can save even more by trading in a device.

Google Black Friday sale lowers prices on Pixel 7, Pixel 6a

Google teases big Black Friday deals for Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6a — get $150 off

By Philip Michaels published 9 November 22

Google's Black Friday sale kicks off November 17, and if you're in the market for a Pixel phone, you're not going to want to miss the deals.

This Google Pixel 7 feature lets you automatically capture selfies — here’s how it works

By Philip Michaels published 9 November 22

A new accessibility feature called Guided Frame can help frame your face and capture selfies, even if you have impaired vision. Here's how to use Guided Frame on the Pixel 7.

MediaTek Dimensity 9200 chip unveiled for Android phones — could it beat Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?

By Philip Michaels last updated 8 November 22

The Dimensity 9200 is MediaTek's latest flagship system on chip for phones. Here's what the chipset promises and how it compares to the top Snapdragon chipsets for Android phones.

Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 5: Should you upgrade?

By Philip Michaels published 8 November 22

If you've got an older Pixel 5, you may want to consider a move to Google's latest phone. Our Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 5 showdown reveals what's changed.

iPhone 14 Pro shipping delays — should you get a regular iPhone instead?

By Philip Michaels published 8 November 22

Apple expects iPhone 14 shipping delays to increase — is it time to rethink which iPhone to get?

iPhone 15 rumors: release date, price, specs and latest news

By Philip Michaels last updated 31 March 23

Here's all the rumors and leaks we've heard about the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.

iPhone 14 — 4 big lessons Apple can learn for iPhone 15

By Philip Michaels published 5 November 22

iPhone 14 sales numbers are starting to trickle in, and they tell us a lot about what's working with Apple's phone strategy — and what's not.

The exterior of a T-Mobile store on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

T-Mobile’s $35 activation fee explained — here’s when you’ll get dinged

By Philip Michaels published 4 November 22

Starting November 15, T-Mobile is going to charge $35 when you activate or upgrade a phone, even if that transaction takes place online. Previously, the fee only applied to in-store transactions.

Best unlimited data plans in 2023

By Philip Michaels last updated 21 March 23

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.

iPhone 14 Pro shown from front displaying iOS16 home screen

Bloomberg: iPhone 15 big upgrade just got shot down

By Philip Michaels last updated 3 November 22

Next year's iPhone modem apparently isn't coming from Apple

An iPhone 12 charging using Clean Energy Charging in iOS 16.1

How to turn on iOS 16's Clean Energy Charging on your iPhone

By Philip Michaels published 2 November 22

iOS 16.1 adds Clean Energy Charging, which times your iPhone charging to when clean energy sources are available. Here's how to turn on the feature in Settings.

JerryRigEverything Pixel 7 Pro durability tests

Google Pixel 7 Pro durability — see how easily the camera bar scratches

By Philip Michaels published 1 November 22

Better get a case for your new Pixel phone if you want to keep it looking like new

How to save photos to your iCloud Shared Photo Library from the iPhone Camera app

By Philip Michaels published 1 November 22

Save photos to your shared library the moment you take them

Google Pixel 7a — 5 upgrades we need to see

By Philip Michaels last updated 1 November 22

The Google Pixel 7a isn't expected until mid-2023 at the earliest. But when it does come, we hope some Pixel 7 features make the move to the company's budget phone.

iPhone 15 Ultra — everything we know so far

By Philip Michaels last updated 27 March 23

The iPhone 14 Pro Max may be a relatively fresh release, but there are already rumors about its successor. Here's what we've heard.

Girls5Eva is leaving Peacock for Netflix — and so am I

By Philip Michaels published 31 October 22

With Peacock dropping Girls5Eva and Netflix picking up its third season, it's a good reminder that the best thing about streaming services is the ability to cancel your subscription and move on.

iPhone 14 vs Galaxy S22 vs Pixel 7 displays compared

iPhone 14 vs. Galaxy S22 vs. Pixel 7 — which phone has the best display?

By Philip Michaels published 31 October 22

Wondering which smartphone display is the brightest or offers the best colors? Check out our iPhone 14 vs. Galaxy S22 vs. Pixel 7 display face-off.

Google Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14 camera shootout — which phone wins?

By Philip Michaels published 29 October 22

Which camera phone would you rather have with you? Our Google Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14 camera face-off pits the two leading devices against each other in a variety of scenarios.

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