John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.
Latest articles by John Velasco

Samsung DeX quietly gets a makeover with the Galaxy S26 — and it's so good you could ditch your laptop
By John Velasco published
Samsung DeX gets a minor makeover with the Galaxy S26, allowing support for up to four desktop spaces with each capable of running 5 apps simultaneously.

iPhone 17e vs Pixel 10a: Here’s how these budget phones stack up
By John Velasco published
The iPhone 17e vs Pixel 10a face-off could determine the best cheap phone going forward, so we detail everything new about them to give you an idea which could have better value.

Galaxy S26 Ultra lab tests show that it's dimmer than S25 Ultra — even with Privacy Display turned off
By John Velasco published
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a one-of-a-kind Privacy Display that shields the screen from the sides, but our testing reveals it also impacts the overall brightness.

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: What’s the difference?
By John Velasco published
This iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e face-off explores what's different about these affordable models and what new upgrades the latest budget iPhone has to offer.

9 ways Galaxy S26 Ultra beats iPhone 17 Pro Max
By John Velasco published
There's ongoing debate over which is the superior phone, but these are all the ways that the Galaxy S26 Ultra beats the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Samsung Galaxy S26 launch live reaction — S26 Ultra and S26 hands-on reviews and best features
By John Velasco last updated
The next Galaxy Unpacked event is happening on February 25, so we'll be reporting all the latest news and developments with our live blog.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 price hikes make these S25 deals unbeatable
By John Velasco published
The Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus are $100 more expensive, which is why you want to look at the deals that Mint Mobile's offering for the S25.

Galaxy S26 cameras: here’s all the upgrades and new capabilities with Samsung’s flagship phones
By John Velasco published
Samsung covered a bunch of details about the cameras with its Galaxy S26 phones, but we break down everything that new and different with them.

Galaxy S26 Ultra announced — Privacy display, new Galaxy AI features, different prices, and more
By John Velasco published
At Galaxy Unpacked 2026, Samsung officially revealed the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, which usher in a new age for AI.

Galaxy Unpacked is today — 3 biggest Galaxy S26 rumors I'm most excited about
By John Velasco published
Galaxy Unpacked is almost here and these are the 3 biggest Galaxy S26 rumors we're excited to have answered at tomorrow's event.

How to watch Galaxy Unpacked 2026 — Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Ultra and more
By John Velasco published
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event is happening this Wednesday, so here's how you can watch the event live as it unfolds.

I drove the Hyundai Palisade for a week — and it’s the most affordable 3-row SUV I’ve tested this year
By John Velasco published
I put the 2026 Hyundai Palisade to the test to see what kind of fuel economy this 3-row, mid-size SUV can get from its 3.5L V6 8-speed automatic transmission engine.

3 fixes the iPhone 17e needs to avoid another iPhone 16e disaster
By John Velasco last updated
I spent nearly a year with the iPhone 16e, but there are three specific upgrades that Apple could add to the iPhone 17e to make it worth it.

I just tried these incredible MagSafe accessories — and they put Apple's once-legendary designs to shame
By John Velasco published
Aulumu makes some of my favorite MagSafe accessories, thanks in part to how it focuses on design, functionality, and durability.

I use Android Auto and CarPlay practically every day — but here's the one thing I also do before driving
By John Velasco published
Google Maps is the one thing I always make sure to activate on CarPlay and Android Auto before I start driving because it saves me from frustration.

I drove the Nissan Sentra for a week — and the Civic and Corolla should be worried
By John Velasco published
RecommendedWith a striking new look that mimics much pricier sedans, the 2026 Nissan Sentra pairs an eye-catching exterior with modern conveniences to redefine what a compact sedan should be.

Best MagSafe chargers for your iPhone in 2026
By John Velasco last updated
We break down the best MagSafe chargers that lets you use Apple's StandBy mode, along with charging other gadgets you might have.

I test drove the $108,000 Genesis G90 for a week — and it's like a private jet on wheels
By John Velasco published
The 2026 Genesis G90 3.5T E-SC Prestige Black is one of the most robust luxury cars I've tested, complete with self closing doors, reclining back seats, and more.

Not a typo — this insane 73% off deal makes the Pixel Fold cheaper than the Pixel 9a
By John Velasco published
If you're thinking about buying the Pixel 9a (or even Pixel 10a), you shouldn't overlook the $479 Pixel Fold offer Woot's having right now for the foldable phone.

Pinterest was down — here's what happened during the outage
By John Velasco last updated
Pinterest users reported issues with the popular pinning service, with many saying their boards weren't loading properly and they were missing content.

Galaxy S26 Ultra’s rumored wider aperture could be its biggest camera upgrade — here’s why
By John Velasco published
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to get a wider aperture with its main camera. That might not sound like a substantial upgrade, but it is. Here's why.

I used to think MagSafe battery packs were a waste until I finally caved in and tried one out — here’s what happened
By John Velasco published
The Lisen Qi2 15W Ultra Slim MagSafe Battery Pack shattered the stigma I had regarding MagSafe power banks. And now, I fully appreciate their utility.

I drove the Kia Sportage Hybrid for a week — and it’s the perfect SUV for people not ready for an EV
By John Velasco published
Editor's ChoiceThe 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid is a compact SUV that's big on style and convenience features, which help it to ditch the hybrid stereotype.
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