John Velasco
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
We took over 200 photos with the Nothing Phone 2a and Pixel 7a — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
It's a landslide win
Google Messages just stole one of the best iMessage features
By John Velasco published
Google Messages users can now send emoji reaction animations, similar to how iMessage does it. The updated app offers 10 different emoji reaction animations to choose from.
5 ways Motorola Edge Plus (2024) could beat all other flagship phones this year
By John Velasco published
The Motorola Edge Plus (2024) is expected to be the company's flagship model, but it seriously will need a lot to beat all other flagship phones this year. Here's how it could do it.
Forget $1,000 smartphones — why you shouldn't be reluctant at paying that much for a mattress
By John Velasco published
You'll never again be reluctant to buy a mattress
7 ways Samsung Galaxy A55 beats Google Pixel 7a
By John Velasco published
With the announcement of the Galaxy A55, upgrades could help Samsung keep its budget phone ahead of Google's Pixel 7a. Here are all the ways the Galaxy A55 beats the Pixel 7a.
Motorola Razr Plus (2024) — 5 ways it could beat all other flip foldables this year
By John Velasco published
Last year's model was a surprise hit, but the Motorola Razr Plus (2024) could be a force that beats al other flip phone-style foldables this year. Here's how it could do that.
This MagSafe wireless charger is about the same size as my Apple Watch — and it's my new favorite travel accessory
By John Velasco published
A meticulous design only Apple could come up with
Pixel 8 Pro temperature sensor is FDA-cleared to measure your body temperature — here’s how to use it
By John Velasco published
The Pixel 8 Pro's temperature sensor has finally received its FDA clearance, so you can now use it to measure your body temperature. Here's how to do it.
We took over 200 photos with the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max — here's the winner
By John Velasco last updated
Now that we've been using the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max for an extended amount of time, we decided to see how their cameras really stack up after we took over 200 photos with them.
7 ways Nothing Phone 2a beats Pixel 7a
By John Velasco published
Now that it's official, the Nothing Phone 2a is proving to be a contender in the budget space. Here are all the ways its beats the Google Pixel 7a.
iPhone 15 review: The best iPhone value
By John Velasco last updated
The iPhone 15 might be the smallest iPhone in the lineup, but it packs a heavy punch
Nothing Phone 2a is everything I want in a budget phone — except for this huge drawback
By John Velasco published
Only developers can buy it in the U.S.
Nothing Phone (2) review: Better in every way except one
By John Velasco last updated
And no, it's not the higher $599 cost
Nothing Phone 2a Review: Pixel 7a and iPhone SE should be scared
By John Velasco published
You'll expect more from sub-$500 phones from now on
March Google Pixel Feature Drop — all the new features for your Pixel phones, watches, and tablets
By John Velasco published
The March Google Pixel Feature Drops brings 10-bit HDV Video to Pixel phones, Pace Training to Pixel Watches, and App Screen Sharing to Android tablets and other supported devices.
This is the only reason why I’d wear a bendable phone on my wrist
By John Velasco published
Motorola's bendable phone concept recently sparked the idea of finally being able to video chat on a wrist-worn gadget, which is something I've been wanting all these years with smartwatches.
We took over 200 photos with the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs OnePlus 12 — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
It's a one-sided win for Samsung's latest phone.
I accidentally discovered the hidden Safari browser on my Apple Watch — here’s how to do it
By John Velasco published
The Apple Watch actually has a hidden Safari browser that can be used to check out websites on your wrist. Here's how to do it.
Which phone has the longest battery life? Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs OnePlus 12 vs Pixel 8 Pro
By John Velasco last updated
It all comes down to the power efficiency of their chips
Nothing Phone 2a first look: the best looking affordable phone to date
By John Velasco published
Not yet ratedIn the battle for the best cheap phones, the Nothing Phone 2a appears to be a worthy contender. Here are some first impressions of the phone now that we've seen it during MWC 2024.
Forget Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — 6 reasons to buy Galaxy S24 Plus instead
By John Velasco last updated
There's actually more incentive this time to go with the Plus
Nothing Phone (2a) unboxing teaser proves budget phones can look ultra premium
By John Velasco published
We got our best look at the upcoming Nothing Phone (2a) thanks to an unboxing video posted by the company revealing its Glyph Interface and translucent design.
Galaxy S24 has a handy interpreter app with real-time translation — here's how to use it
By John Velasco published
Translating what someone is trying to say to you in another language is easier to do with the Galaxy S24's built-in Interpreter app that can do it in real time. Here's how to use it.
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