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
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What is Consumer Cellular, and is it worth It?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Consumer cellular focuses on seniors and people who don't use a ton of data, and this service can save you a significant amount of money versus traditional carriers.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLmZNqaMZu7XKpF53JaXQW-320-80.jpg)
Google Fi Review: Excellent wireless service from Google
By Adam Ismail last updated
Google Fi delivers a first-class wireless service with an unparalleled customer experience — though it’s not cheap
![Weather app on an iPhone 12 running iOS 17 and showing a flood warning](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oix6rLiDa8jm4gHTJuyarU-320-80.jpg)
One of my favorite iOS 17 Weather app features could save your life
By Philip Michaels last updated
Your iPhone's Weather app includes a severe weather alert feature that notifies you of warnings for floods, high winds and other nasty conditions. Here's how to make sure it's turned on.
![Google Fi](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8b5Ae7thpT2auWfe9oBqcB-320-80.jpg)
What is Google Fi Wireless, and is it worth it?
By Deidre Richardson last updated
Who should use Google's wireless service?
![What is tello](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ys4Dc4gMZ92wri8n4TSYGm-320-80.jpeg)
What is Tello Mobile, and is it worth it?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Tello is a low-cost prepaid carriers with mix-and-match options and low costs, if you don't mind cutting down on data
![iOS 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BAoeXGSX3pFHU6p478neDf-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 device support details leak — will your iPhone be able to upgrade?
By Philip Michaels published
Leaked iOS 18 support details suggest that phones capabile of running iOS 17 will be able to upgrade to this year's iPhone software update.
![Transferring contact details using NameDrop in iOS 17 with iPhones.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YpUUCmazZrRDz7vxkyX6zA-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 tipped to get a redesign — what I’d like to see Apple introduce
By Philip Michaels published
A new look could be coming to Apple's iPhone software as part of the iOS 18 update. Here's what our managing editor for mobile thinks that Apple should do with an iOS redesign.
![SOS Emergency on an iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fKLzqdeUw8NtXQ2dVXd8z9-320-80.jpg)
SOS appearing on your iPhone? Here's what that means and how to change it
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's how to troubleshoot your cellular connectivity issues
![Apple Vision Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6VgMdfHMzEoRuRLWYt8Jr3-320-80.jpg)
Apple Vision Pro is missing the one thing that made the iPhone a success
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple's enjoyed its greatest successes with products that meet an unfulfilled need. The Vision Pro has yet to find that purpose and it's hurting the $3,499 headset's prospects.
![All iPhone 15 models shown together.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mQd4zVLYTtMrYYarQxy27o-320-80.jpg)
This is how the iPhone 16 can catch up to the Samsung Galaxy S24
By Philip Michaels published
The last couple iPhone upgrades have seen Apple focus primarily on the Pro models. That can't happen with the iPhone 16 if Apple is serious about AI features.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Google Pixel voice recorder app showdown](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MQcCjuQKaPU7MFv5K45gVA-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Google Pixel voice recorder app showdown — who's got the better AI features?
By Philip Michaels published
The new Samsung Galaxy S24 phones use Galaxy AI to add smarts to the built-in recorder app, much like recent Google Pixel phones. But who's got the smarter voice recorder?
![Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy S22](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hf87ZR6BV5HPeoVzQeiBs8-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy S22: How Samsung’s flagship phone changed in just 2 years
By Philip Michaels published
What a difference 2 years can make in the world of smartphones. Our Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy S22 face-off details just where the big improvements are should you upgrade your phone.
![Samsung galaxy s24 and galaxy s24 plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4HnzMWaVRaUcrvPGq6XbWD-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S24 Plus vs Galaxy S24 Ultra — how to pick the right model for you
By Philip Michaels published
Not sure which Samsung Galaxy S24 model is the right one for your needs? We look at the standard S24, the Plus and the Ultra to see which one is tops in seven different categories.
![Nothing Phone (2) held in the hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FAsqVdfmFACbPush4YMthb-320-80.jpg)
I can't take Nothing seriously as a phone maker — here's why
By Philip Michaels published
The Nothing Phone 2a comes out March 5, and it promises to deliver a compelling design. But U.S. consumers will have a hard time seeing for themselves.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mByarSjasYC2rexzBzdJUA-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 display fix on the way through major software update
By Philip Michaels published
Display Vividness slider should help boost screen colors
![Oneplus 12r hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JmEjPQ58ekz2gqMmQF6ZXY-320-80.jpeg)
OnePlus 12R: Specs, price and release date
By Alan Martin last updated
The cheaper OnePlus 12 model looks like a good alternative for anyone trying to save a few books. Here's everything you need to know about the first R series phone to ship outside of China and India.
![OnePlus 12R review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ANJnM7DnX6UpgyHuNayGmL-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus 12R review: One amazing value
By Philip Michaels last updated
Outstanding performance and record-setting battery life for a surprisingly low price
![Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra S Pen upgrades](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Abyf8teaRLS7zqd2NQ3Z7k-320-80.jpg)
Samsung says it's time for Galaxy Note owners to upgrade to the Galaxy S24 Ultra — are they right?
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy Note 20 is nearly four years old, so owners of that phone will clearly benefit from an upgrade. But which model they should upgrade to is another question entirely.
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Super Bowl 2024 — how Verizon got Las Vegas ready for the biggest game of the year
By Philip Michaels published
Verizon has spent three years getting ready for Super Bowl LVIII, making improvements to its network in Las Vegas that will remain long after the final whistle blows.
![5 ways the OnePlus 12 beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JUHxsufCrHEUtfcfyfJM3K-320-80.jpg)
5 ways the OnePlus 12 beats the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
By Philip Michaels published
OnePlus 12 tops Samsung's premium phone in several key categories
![Tom's Guide](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/23h6mXY84KL9z4789dni3b-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus 12R vs. Google Pixel 7a: Here's the budget phone champ
By Philip Michaels published
A OnePlus 12R vs. Google Pixel 7a face-off is a study in contrasts, as the OnePlus 12R's better performance and battery life goes up against the Pixel's cameras. But only one phone can finish on top.
![ESPN, Fox Sports and TNT Sports logos displayed side by side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6LrisERkhx7gKa9qoRHosQ-320-80.jpg)
ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. announce mega sports streaming service — what it means for you
By Philip Michaels last updated
Games from all four major pro leagues will be included
![how to transcribe and summarize recordings on Galaxy S24 Voice Recorder app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GRZSNtc7W9NoHXZH5HhyD5-320-80.jpg)
The Galaxy S24 Voice Recorder can transcribe and summarize your recordings — how to use all the AI features
By Philip Michaels published
Galaxy AI features added to the Voice Recorder app on every Galaxy S24 model include the ability to transcribe and summarize your recordings. You can even get translated transcripts.
![Oneplus 12r hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oskFNXESEr2CNpEgLdyNyV-320-80.jpeg)
This new Android phone goes days without needing a charge — and it's less than $500
By Philip Michaels published
If you're looking for a long-lasting phone but don't want to spend big bucks, our battery test results for the OnePlus 12R shows why this $499 deserves your attention.
![A photo of the Samsung Galaxy S24 in hand with the Circle to Search feature in use. The circle is half drawn.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/G9dzGSxT3huE92PHByErfH-320-80.jpg)
I review phones for a living — and the Galaxy S24 is the first truly great Samsung flagship I've tested
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile has recommended Galaxy flagships in the past. But the Galaxy S24 has the right mix of features and price to really impress him.