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
Get a new iPhone this holiday? Here are the top iPhone cases we recommend for each model
By Philip Michaels published
A new iPhone deserves a new case, and if you picked up one of Apple's phones as a gift, we can steer you in the right direction for protective cases that fit every iPhone model.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 16 — how 2024's biggest phone battle is shaping up
By Philip Michaels published
A Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 16 face-off pits the flagship devices from the world's two top phone makers against one another. Here's how things look based on rumors about the two phones.
I review phones for a living — and my top 3 picks of the year are on sale right now
By Philip Michaels last updated
Our managing editor for mobile loves phones that balance premium features with affordable prices. And thanks to a trio of deals, his favorite phones from the past year cost even less than usual.
Samsung Galaxy S24 mega leak just spilled the specs for all three models — here’s what you get
By Philip Michaels last updated
We're getting our best look yet at what the Samsung Galaxy S24 models will have to offer, thanks to a newly posted spec sheet showing the features for all three upcoming models.
Samsung Galaxy S24 release date: Here's what the rumors say
By Philip Michaels last updated
Wondering when the Galaxy S24 might appear? Here are all the rumors surrounding the Galaxy S24 release date, which sounds like it may be happening earlier than usual.
iPhone 16 Ultra in 2024? Here’s why I wouldn’t bet on it
By Philip Michaels published
While there's a chance Apple could add an iPhone 16 Ultra to its lineup next year, the early signs aren't promising, according to our managing editor for mobile.
The same thing keeps breaking on my iPhones — and I've finally embraced a new solution
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile is fed up with the charging port on his iPhone failing. Fortunately, wireless charging and MagSafe charging stands can bail out an iPhone with a bum port.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra launching soon — here's my 5 biggest questions
By Philip Michaels published
With the Galaxy S24 Ultra launch rumored to be a month away our managing editor for mobile has a few lingering questions about the upcoming phone.
OnePlus 12 price: Here's what you could pay for the new flagship
By Philip Michaels published
We know a lot about the OnePlus 12 ahead of its January 23 global launch, but the price of the new flagship is still a mystery. Here's what we know about how much the OnePlus 12 could cost.
iPhone 16 and spatial video — what it means for the Apple Vision Pro
By Philip Michaels published
Alleged iPhone 16 prototypes suggest a change to the camera layout on the next Apple flagships. Could this be a sign that spatial video capture will be a key feature on Apple's future phones?
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 11: Biggest expected upgrades
By Philip Michaels last updated
We're about to find out all the OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 11 differences as OnePlus prepares to introduce its new flagship phone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs OnePlus 12: Which flagship phone will win?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Can the flagship killer from OnePlus take out Samsung's ultimate Android device?
Apple Vision Pro spatial video — here’s what it’s really like to use from people who tried it
By Philip Michaels published
Spatial video is getting rave reviews
Samsung Galaxy S24: 5 biggest rumors for Samsung’s next flagship
By Philip Michaels published
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is getting all the attention, but don't overlook the Galaxy S24. Some big changes are rumored for the entry-level flagship in the upcoming S24 lineup.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Biggest rumored differences
By Philip Michaels published
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.
Forget the Galaxy S23 Ultra — here's why you should wait for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
By Philip Michaels published
If you're in the market for a new phone now, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may be a tempting choice. But there's some pretty good reasons why you should wait for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
How to share Maps directions from your Mac with your iPhone — and why you'd want to
By Philip Michaels published
If you like researching travel using the Maps app on your Mac, there's no reason to keep that info on your computer. Here's how to share Maps directions with your iPhone for when you're on the go.
Frustrated by directions in iPhone Maps? Here's how to edit your route
By Philip Michaels published
Changing your starting point in Maps is easy — if you know where to tap. We can show you how to change the starting point for directions in the default iPhone mapping app.
Should you buy Samsung Galaxy S23 now or wait for Galaxy S24?
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy S23 is a great phone, and lots of deals let you own it for less. But would you be better off waiting for January's likely Galaxy S24 launch?
I use this smart plug for controlling my Christmas lights — and it just dropped to $12 at Amazon
By Philip Michaels published
The Kasa Smart Plug is a great way to control power to all sorts of appliances and lamps — including your Christmas tree. And Amazon has dropped the price by 38% to $12.
iOS 18 — here's the biggest upgrades I need to see
By Philip Michaels last updated
Early reports on iOS 18 suggest Apple's focusing on adding AI to its iPhone software. But our managing editor for mobile hopes Apple doesn't forget to make improvements to some built-in iPhone apps.
OnePlus 12 — 5 big questions we have before the launch
By Philip Michaels published
OnePlus reveals plenty about phones ahead of their launch, and the OnePlus 12 is no different. Yet, with the phone coming to China next week, we still have questions about the OnePlus 12.
Forget AI — this is the Samsung Galaxy S24 upgrade it really needs
By Philip Michaels last updated
There's a lot of anticipation surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S24 and its many potential features. But if Samsung wants to make a top phone, it had better deliver on battery life with the Galaxy S24.
Need more ports? This Belkin docking station gives you 12 of them and is 32% off right now
By Philip Michaels published
A Cyber Monday deal has dropped the Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station to the lowest price we've ever seen. It's a great pick-up if your at-home workstation is calling out for more ports.