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
iOS 18 extends your ability to customize the lock screen — how to edit control shortcuts
By Philip Michaels published
For years, the flashlight and camera shortcuts have been mainstays on iPhone lock screens. But iOS 18 gives you the ability to swap in different controls from the revamped Control Center.
iOS 18 Photos — 5 things I like about the redesign and 2 I don't
By Philip Michaels published
No app gets a bigger overhaul in iOS 18 than Photos. Is the new look of the app a dream or a dud?
iOS 18 Notes lets you add audio recordings directly in the app — here's how it works
By Philip Michaels published
When you want to add an audio recording in your notes, you can now do so directly from the iOS 18 Notes app. Here's how to use that feature and how to get a transcript of your recording.
I actually bought an iPhone 15 right before the iPhone 16 launch — here’s why
By Philip Michaels published
Sometimes, it pays not to wait, as our managing editor for mobile found out when he started shopping for new iPhone deals for other members of his family.
iPhone 16 prices — this is how Apple can beat Samsung and Google
By Philip Michaels published
With lots of big name phones seeing price hikes this year, Apple should think different about what it charges for the iPhone 16.
This Apple Intelligence feature coming in iOS 18 will be a game changer for your iPhone
By Philip Michaels last updated
Priority Notifications could make an upgrade worth it all on its own
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is on the way — here's what Google needs to learn from the Galaxy Z Fold 6
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has some important lessons for Google to learn as it prepares to possibly launch the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in August as a Pixel Fold follow-up.
iOS 18 lets you customize your iPhone's home screen — here's how to do it
By Philip Michaels published
In iOS 18, you're no longer restricted to a grid of app icons and widgets. The updated iPhone software lets you move things wherever you want. Here's how to customize your home screen.
The 11 best Olympics movies and where to watch them online
By Mike Prospero, Philip Michaels, Kelly Woo last updated
Our 11 favorite movies about the summer and winter Olympics.
You can now schedule iMessages to send later in iOS 18 — here’s how
By Philip Michaels published
With iOS 18, you don't have to remember when to text someone. Here's how to schedule texts in the Messages app.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 — 6 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
By Philip Michaels published
Wondering if the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the right phone for you? Here's why we think Samsung's latest foldable is worth getting, along with a few reaons you may want to pass on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Does Galaxy AI make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 $100 better?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung's charging more for its foldable phones this year. And whether you think the extra $100 is worth it depends on what you think about the phones' new Galaxy AI capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 — 5 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
By Philip Michaels published
Should you get Samsung's latest foldable flip phone? Here are the reasons why the Galaxy Z Flip 6 would be a great pickup as well as why you might want to look elsewhere.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked News: Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra and more
By Philip Michaels, Mark Spoonauer last updated
Meet the latest Samsung foldable phones and wearables
Foldable phones have passed a very big milestone to going mainstream
By Philip Michaels published
Foldable phones have started acing the Tom's Guide battery test, showing that they can last a long time on a charge. That's going to go a long way to convincing people to give these devices a try.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Motorola Razr Plus (2024): How the flip phones compare
By Philip Michaels last updated
Which flip phone should you get?
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 unveiled with better cameras and durability — but higher price
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Here's what's new with the $1,099 foldable flip phone.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Summer 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Ring and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung has set a date for its next Galaxy Unpacked event. Here's a look at when and where it's happening and all the products we're expecting to see.
Samsung rumored to be dropping the Galaxy S25 Plus — here's why that's a big mistake
By Philip Michaels published
Yet another rumor claims the days are numbered for a Plus version of the Galaxy S flagship. But that would leave a big hole in the Galaxy S25 lineup next year.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked summer 2024 — here's everything to expect
By Philip Michaels last updated
Could Samsung's latest foldables wind up on the sideline?
10 best iOS 18 features for productivity — get more done on your iPhone with this update
By Philip Michaels published
Apple intelligence and greater customization in iOS 18 are getting most of the attention, but the iPhone software update also makes some notable improvements to boost your productivity.
My favorite iPhone app is the one that irritates me the most — here's why
By Philip Michaels published
The Fitness app is great at motivating people to get up and get moving. But its one big flaw raises questions about Apple's push into health tracking.
iOS 18 Wallet: 3 big changes coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Apple's digital wallet gets some new ways to pay in iOS 18 Wallet. Find out more about the changes, including event guides for tickets you store in the app.
iOS 18 Mail: Biggest changes coming to your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
Apple says the changes coming to Mail in iOS 18 will arrive later in the year. When they do come, they'll lean heavily on Apple Intelligence and AI.
I cover smartphone launches, and Google's Pixel 9 event is the one that has me excited
By Philip Michaels published
Google plans a hardware event for August 13 — two months earlier than its usual product launches for the fall. Here's why that's a bigger deal than you might have realized.
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