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
I'm not buying an Apple Vision Pro — but here's how Apple could change my mind
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile is no fan of headsets. If the Apple Vision Pro is going to get him to change his tune, it will require some pretty compelling apps.
Moto G Play (2024) brings a 50MP camera to a sub-$150 budget phone
By Philip Michaels published
The Moto G Play (2024) features an upgraded camera and a lower price compared to last year's model. But you sacrifice some key features.
Samsung Galaxy S24 launch — the 9 potential upgrades to keep an eye on
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung may not be planning an overhaul of its Galaxy flagships, but some potential changes are in the works. These are the ones to keep an eye on at the Galaxy S24 launch this week.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is going all in on AI instead of hardware — and it could change how we use phones forever
By Philip Michaels published
New AI features, not hardware, looks like it will be the focus of the Galaxy S24 lineup. Will it be enough to convince people to upgrade their phones?
Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
Before you head overseas, find out what your cellphone provider will charge you to use your phone. Here are the different options offered by the four major wireless carriers.
No iPhone SE in 2024 could be a huge Apple mistake — here’s why
By Philip Michaels published
The experts don't think a new iPhone is coming this year. But can Apple afford to wait with all the good midrange phones that are out there?
Samsung Galaxy S24 big AI focus could be bad news for the iPhone — here’s why
By Philip Michaels published
Rumored AI features on Galaxy S24 could put Apple at a disadvantage
Apple's TV app gives Apple TV a new look — and I hate it
By Philip Michaels published
Apple's TV app has a new look, as Apple wants to make it the go-to place on its streaming device. But the update has really hampered the Apple TV interface.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus vs. Galaxy S23 Plus — biggest rumored upgrades
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung's new phones should be arriving this month. Our Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus vs. Galaxy S23 Plus comparison looks at potential differences between the middle model in Samsung's Galaxy S lineup.
OnePlus 12R debuts soon — and there’s one feature I’m dying to find out about
By Philip Michaels published
Early details about the OnePlus 12R sound promising. But it's the camera performance that will determine whether this upcoming phone is a true flagship alternative.
Letterkenny ends its 12-season run — these are the 9 episodes you should binge
By Philip Michaels published
The final season of Letterkenny is available to stream on Hulu. If you've never seen the show, here's a look at the nine episodes that give you a flavor of what to expect.
New year, new you — these iOS 17 apps can help you with your New Year’s resolutions
By Philip Michaels published
Looking to get a fresh start in the new year? The tools you need could be right on your iPhone, from moving more to getting organized to improving your mental health.
Samsung Galaxy S24 launch now set — here’s the 5 biggest rumors you may have missed
By Philip Michaels published
You may have been celebrating the holidays, but the Galaxy S24 rumor machine churned on. With a Galaxy Unpacked event set for January 17, here's a look back at the biggest recent S24 rumors.
iPhone 16 in 2024 — here's everything Apple could announce this year
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone remains a big part of Apple's business. Here's what to expect in 2024, from iOS 18 to the iPhone 16, with maybe some surprise announcements.
Mobile apps have taken a turn for the worse in the past year — here's why
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile has been testing mobile apps since the very first ones appeared on the iPhone. And he doesn't like what he sees these days.
I review phones for a living — and this is the best Android phone of 2023
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google's Pixel 7a delivers great photos at an even better price. That's why it's the favorite device of our managing editor for mobile for the past year.
New Galaxy S24 pricing details emerge — and it's bad news for the Ultra
By Philip Michaels published
A Dutch news site has posted alleged prices for the upcoming Galaxy S24 phones, with the price of the S24 Ultra rising, while the other two models could cost less than their predecessors.
Google Pixel 8a — these are the 3 upgrades Google needs to make
By Philip Michaels published
We probably won't see the Google Pixel 8a until midway through 2024. But it's never to early to share what we hope the new midrange phone delivers.
Get a new iPhone this holiday? Here are the top iPhone cases we recommend for each model
By Philip Michaels published
A new iPhone deserves a new case, and if you picked up one of Apple's phones as a gift, we can steer you in the right direction for protective cases that fit every iPhone model.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 16 — how 2024's biggest phone battle is shaping up
By Philip Michaels published
A Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. iPhone 16 face-off pits the flagship devices from the world's two top phone makers against one another. Here's how things look based on rumors about the two phones.
Samsung Galaxy S24 mega leak just spilled the specs for all three models — here’s what you get
By Philip Michaels last updated
We're getting our best look yet at what the Samsung Galaxy S24 models will have to offer, thanks to a newly posted spec sheet showing the features for all three upcoming models.
Samsung Galaxy S24 release date: Here's what the rumors say
By Philip Michaels last updated
Wondering when the Galaxy S24 might appear? Here are all the rumors surrounding the Galaxy S24 release date, which sounds like it may be happening earlier than usual.
iPhone 16 Ultra in 2024? Here’s why I wouldn’t bet on it
By Philip Michaels published
While there's a chance Apple could add an iPhone 16 Ultra to its lineup next year, the early signs aren't promising, according to our managing editor for mobile.
The same thing keeps breaking on my iPhones — and I've finally embraced a new solution
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile is fed up with the charging port on his iPhone failing. Fortunately, wireless charging and MagSafe charging stands can bail out an iPhone with a bum port.