Articles by: 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.

Articles by: Philip Michaels

Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. iPhone SE: Which budget phone wins?

By Philip Michaels published 1 May 23

Both Samsung and Apple offer phones for less than $500 models. Our Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. iPhone SE face-off determines which one is the better buy.

Google Pixel 7a launch — here's how it can be the budget phone of the year

By Philip Michaels published 30 April 23

Should the Google Pixel 7a arrive in May as expected, it faces some stiff competition from other cheap phones like the Galaxy A54. One thing in particular can help the Pixel 7a stand out.

Samsung Galaxy A54 in hand showing cameras

I test phones for a living — this is a great choice for less than $500

By Philip Michaels last updated 28 April 23

Looking for a great low-cost phone? The Galaxy A54 more than fits the bill. Here's why our managing editor for mobile says Samsung's midrange model is the best phone you can get for under $500.

Galaxy Z Fold 5, Pixel Fold could share this feature — and it's not good news

By Philip Michaels published 26 April 23

Rumors suggest that neither the Galaxy Z Fold 5 nor the Pixel Fold will support fast charging speeds. It's time for foldable phone makers to feel a need for charging speed.

Leaked Exynos 2400 benchmarks tease strong Samsung Galaxy S24 performance

By Philip Michaels published 25 April 23

And the chipset allegedly outperforms Apple's A16 Bionic, too

Forget the Galaxy S23 FE — Samsung's Galaxy A54 is the low-cost phone to buy

By Philip Michaels published 24 April 23

Looking for a low cost Galaxy S23 alternative? It's already here in the form of the Galaxy A54, eliminating the need for a Galaxy S23 FE release.

Samsung Galaxy A54 (left) shown vs Google Pixel 6a (right)

Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Google Pixel 6a camera face-off: Which phone wins?

By Philip Michaels published 23 April 23

We put the Galaxy A54 and Pixel 6a cameras to the test to find the better budget camera phone.

Apple CEO Tim Cook at Apple Spring Event 2022

Apple's not going to hold a spring event — that's probably OK

By Philip Michaels published 22 April 23

That rumored spring Apple event never materialized, but new Mac hardware is still on the way.

Samsung Galaxy A54 — 6 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip

By Philip Michaels published 21 April 23

Is Samsung's new midrange phone the right device for you? Here's a look at what why you should buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 and why you might want to give it a pass.

T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert introudces Go5G plans

T-Mobile launches new Go5G unlimited plans — what you need to know

By Philip Michaels published 20 April 23

Go5G makes it easy to upgrade your phone every two years

I'm not bothered by the Pixel 7a's rumored price hike — and you shouldn't be either

By Philip Michaels published 19 April 23

The Google Pixel 7a is reportedly bringing some big changes when it launches next month. That's why talk of a modest price increase shouldn't be too upsetting.

an image of an iPhone 15 Pro render and claimed solid-state buttons

iPhone 15 Pro may get an action button — here's what it could do

By Philip Michaels published 18 April 23

We've heard rumors about an action button coming to the iPhone 15 Pro models, and now a leaker is filling in details on what functions such a button would serve.

iPhone 15 new color just leaked along with frosted glass design

By Philip Michaels published 17 April 23

A Weibo poster says that the iPhone 15 will drop the iPhone 14's glossy back panel in favor of a frosted glass look, with a greenish "cyan" color joining the lineup.

A person holding a Galaxy S23 and configuring dark mode

How to manage Dark mode on the Galaxy S23

By Philip Michaels published 17 April 23

You can turn on Dark mode and even schedule when your display switches over if you know how to use Dark mode on the Galaxy S23.

A phone displaying Mint Mobile in front of a T-Mobile add

Is Mint Mobile still worth it with T-Mobile taking over?

By Philip Michaels last updated 17 April 23

Mint Mobile says it's business as usual even after T-Mobile's acquisition. We compare Mint's new data plans to those of its closest rivals to see if that's true.

iPhone 15 release — which iPhones will Apple discontinue?

By Philip Michaels published 15 April 23

The arrival of the iPhone 15 in the fall will mean a shake-up for Apple's iPhone lineup. Here are the models we think will stick around and the ones that Apple will stop selling.

Google Pixel 7a renders in black and white

Google Pixel 7a — 5 biggest rumors so far

By Philip Michaels published 14 April 23

From a new chip to possible camera upgrades, these are the biggest rumored changes coming to the Pixel 7a.

iPhone 15 Pro renders tease a design that will apparently never be [Update]

By Philip Michaels published 13 April 23

Renders based on iPhone 15 Pro rumors show what a single volume button and a mute button might look like on the upcoming phones. But a subsequent update claims Apple's going in a different direction.

Asus ROG Phone 7 has best phone battery life ever — and it blows away iPhone 14 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra

By Philip Michaels last updated 13 April 23

The ROG Phone 7 from Asus sets a new all-time record on our battery test, lasting more than 18 hours and blowing away the competition.

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate review: A good gaming phone with obscene battery life

By Philip Michaels published 13 April 23

The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate delivers an outstanding gaming experience in a long-lasting device. But only so-so cameras and limited software support might make you consider other devices.

Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: All the differences

By Philip Michaels last updated 12 May 23

Google's budget phone is getting some big changes this time around. Here's how a Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a comparison looks now that the Pixel 7a has arrived.

Google Pixel 7a renders give us our first good look at Google's upcoming budget phone

By Philip Michaels published 10 April 23

The Pixel 7a renders reveal a potential new color as well as a design that looks a lot like the Pixel 7.

iPhone 13 mini display on with plant in background

iPhone 15 mini — why a compact iPhone isn't in Apple's plans

By Philip Michaels published 10 April 23

We're unlikely to see an iPhone 15 mini this fall, as Apple embraces the trend toward phones with displays larger than 6 inches.

what I look for when buying a smartphone

I review phones for a living — these are the 3 things to look for when buying

By Philip Michaels published 9 April 23

About to buy a new phone? Here are the key things our managing editor for mobile looks at when he's evaluating smartphones.

OnePlus Nord N30 tipped for US launch with very impressive specs

By Philip Michaels published 7 April 23

108MP camera and 67W charging for cheap

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