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
![active widgets on iOS 17](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xu6iHsmbykSacoftyMpnLK-320-80.jpeg)
I'm a long-time iPhone user — here are the customization features I want to see in iOS 18
By Philip Michaels published
Big changes are coming to your iPhone this year
![Pixel Fold deal for Amazon Big Spring Sales](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f8soi35o2NZQEGTyjjVyrQ-320-80.jpg)
Last chance! Google Pixel Fold crashes to super low price — now's the time to get a foldable
By Philip Michaels last updated
The Pixel Fold is usually one of the more expensive phones around, but its price has fallen by more than $500 in the Amazon Big Spring Sales event.
![Midrange phone guide nothing phone 2a vs oneplus 12r vs galaxy a55 vs pixel 7a](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rALgzSgzF7mTxAuZTgnFYb-320-80.jpg)
Midrange phones compared: OnePlus 12R vs Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Pixel 8a vs Nothing Phone 2a
By Philip Michaels published
Looking for a phone that won't break the bank? You've come to the right place
![apple legal case](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YcdCL5YoBnzy7vuQejxoDh-320-80.jpg)
Apple vs DOJ: 5 biggest allegations in the antitrust suit
By Philip Michaels published
We've gone through the Justice Department's 86-page filing accusing Apple of anti-competitive practies — here's what stood out.
![apple logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/whpxAAQt3vPUfUivV8ueYS-320-80.jpg)
Apple sued by US government over iPhone monopoly — what you need to know
By Philip Michaels published
The U.S. Justice Department, joined by 16 states, is bringing a lawsuit against Apple that alleges the company is blocking App Store alternatives and driving up costs for consumers.
![Tim Cook on stage at Apple event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/njyLr4qhJuS9rv3NzYtfrL-320-80.jpg)
Apple product roadmap — here are the 5 upcoming products that excite me the most
By Philip Michaels published
Get ready for a lot of Apple gear between now and 2027
![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a3CoC5unESqSYNeGQRsiZc-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE — 3 things Samsung must get right with its cheaper foldable
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung needs to be careful when deciding what foldable features to scale back on
![Google Pixel 8 deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e7tNRhsQ8h9mHsNxw9CJEh-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8 drops to an all-time low — get it now
By Philip Michaels published
Ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, the price of the Pixel 8 has fallen below $500. The Pixel 8 Pro is on sale, too.
![Snapdragon 8s Gen 3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p33MsQzrKhm2SGN5AHXqcU-320-80.jpg)
Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip to bring AI features to more affordable Android phones
By Philip Michaels last updated
Qualcomm is introducing the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a less powerful version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that still offers on-device AI capabilities.
![iPhone 16 prototypes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nvFJS8JLoSRCXxbdehohm4-320-80.jpg)
This iPhone 16 rumored change could fix the biggest design flaw
By Philip Michaels published
A leaked iPhone 16 CAD render shows off changes to the phone's design. And our managing editor for mobile hopes that means a better-looking camera array on the next iPhone.
![Google Pixel 8a leaked render from @OnLeaks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4PBY4X4pb56GV4Mngm5Pvn-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8a excitement is building — but this rumor could kill that
By Philip Michaels published
A website with a good track record for phone rumors claims that the Pixel 8a will cost more than its predecessor. If so, that's a bad move on Google's part.
![Galaxy A35](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wtPSEXoocfxgkxtszcDJHL-320-80.jpg)
Meet the Galaxy A35 — the midrange phone that will go toe-to-toe with the Pixel 7a in the U.S.
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung goes in a different direction with its midrange phones
![Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy A54](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BFiwUmT2HbKdz3UPPcxYHe-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Galaxy A54 — here's the biggest upgrades
By Philip Michaels published
Not a lot has changed, but the Galaxy A55 introduces some key differences from its predecessor. Here's our Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Galaxy A54 comparison to show you what's new.
![betting odds on display in apple sports app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LULfDSsL37YcpsBunsCjUd-320-80.jpg)
The Apple Sports app includes betting odds — here's how to make them disappear
By Philip Michaels published
Apple's Sports app packs in a lot of information, including gambling odds. If you'd prefer not to show that, we can tell you what setting to adjust to remove betting odds from the Sports app.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review photos.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VvsHYCwap2cVDigwdjG8fZ-320-80.jpg)
Upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 faces a real challenge this year — how will Samsung respond?
By Philip Michaels published
The competition among foldable flip phones has never been more fierce. How will Samsung respond with the Galaxy Z Flip 6?
![Summary feature powered by Galaxy AI on Galaxy S24](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AuEgFRNAD9QAhMcY7yNoKD-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy AI summaries — we tested the accuracy of this Galaxy S24 feature
By Philip Michaels published
AI can summarize audio recordings, web pages and notes on the Galaxy S24 phones — but can you trust it? To find out, we put this Galaxy AI capability to the test.
![Apple iPhone 15 Plus review.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6M8wRCoACaZvJP3gyYSuXJ-320-80.jpg)
I used to think the iPhone Plus was useless — but I was wrong
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile has a confession to make — he used to think the Plus model should be dropped from Apple's iPhone lineup. Here's why he's changing his tune about the iPhone Plus.
![Apple Sports app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Lw7xYJMGTHUXoxSSzUdHSH-320-80.jpg)
I spent two weeks using the Apple Sports app — here’s why it’s not ready for the big leagues
By Philip Michaels published
Apple's scoreboard app stumbles off the starting line
![Google Pixel 7a](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YiUm33cj6cqwusJWCexbj6-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 7a review: Stellar Android phone value
By Philip Michaels last updated
With a fast refresh rate, improved main camera and Tensor G2 processor, the Pixel 7a is Google’s best midrange phone yet. But the competition is tougher, too.
![Apple Sports app running on an iPhone 12](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XUAnm8hdB55j8qmQfeLmBY-320-80.jpg)
The iOS Sports app lets you follow your favorite teams — here's how
By Philip Michaels published
The new Sports app makes it easy to follow your favorite teams and leagues. But to do that, you've got to set up the Sports app. We can show you how.
![iOS 17.4 update](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bo7LNEEEoeKTgq4TQfuE4R-320-80.jpg)
iOS 17.4 is live — here’s all the new features for your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Apple has released iOS 17.4, the latest version of its iPhone software. The biggest change allows iPhone users in Europe to access third-party app stores, but there are other new features as well.
![iPhone SE 2022 back of phone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kgvhWgkLsJSfc8SNQ8bbHL-320-80.jpg)
The iPhone SE is finally in line to get a modern look — but is it arriving too late to matter?
By Philip Michaels published
While the leaked CAD renders showing an updated iPhone SE 4 design are impressive, it's hard to get excited about a phone that likely won't show up this year.
![Chat Assist on Galaxy S24](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jFZfa9m9RbFdwzE9Tqrgsf-320-80.jpg)
I tested Galaxy AI Chat Assist to see if people could spot my real text messages
By Philip Michaels published
Chat Assist is a feature on the Galaxy S24 that uses AI to fine-tune your text messages. But will people notice AI's influence on your texting? We put the feature to the test.