Latest articles by Philip Michaels
Best unlimited data plans in 2025
Lots of wireless carriers promise limitless data, but only one can have the best unlimited data plan. Here’s the plan you should sign up for to save money.
Best cell phone plans in 2025: The best options for your monthly phone service
Looking for the best cell phone plan for your needs? We’ve rounded up the best choices for family plans, unlimited data and low-cost plans from prepaid carriers.
Need to set up a phone for an elderly parent? Here's how I handled things for my mother
My mom needed a phone to stay connected in her new assisted living apartment, but most smartphones were too complex for her. Here's how I simplified her setup so that she can still make phone calls.
What is Tello Mobile, and is it worth it?
Low-cost plans with mix-and-match options
Best mobile hotspots in 2025
These are the best mobile hotspots for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile customers.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 AI features 'will be an extension of you,' Qualcomm exec says
A closer look at what Qualcomm's latest chip means for mobile AI
iPhone 17 durability put to the test — how well Apple's new phones withstand bending, scratching and dropping
We've rounded up all the iPhone 17 durability test results to see whether Apple's new phones lived up to the company's claims.
The best 5G phones in 2025
The best 5G phones deliver faster downloads, lower latency and a lot more. Here are the 5G-capable phones worth your attention.
iPhone 17 Air vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Here’s what you give up for a thinner phone
Trying to decide which Apple premium phone to get? Our iPhone Air vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison looks at the trade-offs you make with both phones.
Messages is the iPhone’s most complete app, but iOS 26 has made it even better — here's how
Even though Messages was already a complete app, Apple still managed to make some key improvements to its texting app in iOS 26.
I've been skeptical about AI on phones — the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip coming to Android could make me a believer
The performance delivered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset for Android phones will grab a lot of attention. But don't overlook what this new silicon means for AI on your phone.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 unveiled — here's all the performance and AI upgrades likely coming to Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset will power many of next year's top Android phones, including, potentially, Samsung's next Galaxy S flagships. Here's what you can expect from the chipset.
I benchmarked the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — the iPhone 17 Pro has already met its match
We've gotten a chance to benchmark the just-announced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and next year's top Android phones should be performance powerhouses.
Beyond the iPhone 17 — here are the iPhones coming up next for Apple and when to expect them
The iPhone 17 models may have just gone on sale. But if you're wondering what's in store for future iPhone releases, we've got a look at the rumors of what's coming next.
This one iOS 26 feature gives me hope for the future of Apple Intelligence
iOS 26 doesn't offer a lot of new Apple Intelligence features, but the improvements to Visual Intelligence suggest Apple has the know-how to beef up its AI tools.
The iPhone 17 offers plenty of upgrades — here’s the ones I’d like to see on next year’s iPhone 17e
Apple reportedly has an iPhone 17e in the works for next year. How many of the improvements on the just-released iPhone 17 will find their way to Apple's midrange phone?
Should you upgrade to iPhone 17? Here’s who should buy (and skip) from the iPhone 13 and up
Apple's iPhone 17 models are now on sale. If you're wondering whether or not to upgrade from your current iPhone, I can guide you through exactly how the iPhone has changed over the last four years.
Best phone battery life in 2025: The longest lasting smartphones
These phones held out for at least 14 hours in our test to offer the best phone battery life.
iPhone 17 Pro benchmarks: Apple’s A19 Pro silicon puts Snapdragon on notice
The A19 Pro that powers the new iPhone 17 Pro models not only delivers performance gains over last year's A18 Pro chip, but it also gives Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones all they can handle.
I’ve been running iOS 26 since the summer, and one feature alone makes the upgrade worth it
iOS 26 brings a lot of features from a new interface to improvements to existing apps. But it's Call Screening in the Phone app that will change how you use your iPhone for the better.
Best GPS tracker for kids in 2025
Our pick for the best GPS tracker for kids can help pinpoint a lost child’s location, giving worried parents some peace of mind.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Time for an upgrade?
Our iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max face-off can tell you if enough has changed with Apple's premium handset to justify upgrading your phone.
iOS 26 guide: All the new features for your iPhone and how to use them
The full release of iOS 26 is now out Use this guide to find your way around all the changes Apple is bringing to the iPhone.
