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
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mByarSjasYC2rexzBzdJUA-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 display fix on the way through major software update
By Philip Michaels published
Display Vividness slider should help boost screen colors
![Oneplus 12r hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JmEjPQ58ekz2gqMmQF6ZXY-320-80.jpeg)
OnePlus 12R: Specs, price and release date
By Alan Martin last updated
The cheaper OnePlus 12 model looks like a good alternative for anyone trying to save a few books. Here's everything you need to know about the first R series phone to ship outside of China and India.
![OnePlus 12R review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ANJnM7DnX6UpgyHuNayGmL-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus 12R review: One amazing value
By Philip Michaels last updated
Outstanding performance and record-setting battery life for a surprisingly low price
![Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra S Pen upgrades](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Abyf8teaRLS7zqd2NQ3Z7k-320-80.jpg)
Samsung says it's time for Galaxy Note owners to upgrade to the Galaxy S24 Ultra — are they right?
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy Note 20 is nearly four years old, so owners of that phone will clearly benefit from an upgrade. But which model they should upgrade to is another question entirely.
![Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7VALWxfW5jsd7FLPknnCBT-320-80.jpg)
Super Bowl 2024 — how Verizon got Las Vegas ready for the biggest game of the year
By Philip Michaels published
Verizon has spent three years getting ready for Super Bowl LVIII, making improvements to its network in Las Vegas that will remain long after the final whistle blows.
![5 ways the OnePlus 12 beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JUHxsufCrHEUtfcfyfJM3K-320-80.jpg)
5 ways the OnePlus 12 beats the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
By Philip Michaels published
OnePlus 12 tops Samsung's premium phone in several key categories
![Tom's Guide](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/23h6mXY84KL9z4789dni3b-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus 12R vs. Google Pixel 7a: Here's the budget phone champ
By Philip Michaels published
A OnePlus 12R vs. Google Pixel 7a face-off is a study in contrasts, as the OnePlus 12R's better performance and battery life goes up against the Pixel's cameras. But only one phone can finish on top.
![ESPN, Fox Sports and TNT Sports logos displayed side by side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6LrisERkhx7gKa9qoRHosQ-320-80.jpg)
ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. announce mega sports streaming service — what it means for you
By Philip Michaels last updated
Games from all four major pro leagues will be included
![how to transcribe and summarize recordings on Galaxy S24 Voice Recorder app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GRZSNtc7W9NoHXZH5HhyD5-320-80.jpg)
The Galaxy S24 Voice Recorder can transcribe and summarize your recordings — how to use all the AI features
By Philip Michaels published
Galaxy AI features added to the Voice Recorder app on every Galaxy S24 model include the ability to transcribe and summarize your recordings. You can even get translated transcripts.
![Oneplus 12r hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oskFNXESEr2CNpEgLdyNyV-320-80.jpeg)
This new Android phone goes days without needing a charge — and it's less than $500
By Philip Michaels published
If you're looking for a long-lasting phone but don't want to spend big bucks, our battery test results for the OnePlus 12R shows why this $499 deserves your attention.
![A photo of the Samsung Galaxy S24 in hand with the Circle to Search feature in use. The circle is half drawn.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/G9dzGSxT3huE92PHByErfH-320-80.jpg)
I review phones for a living — and the Galaxy S24 is the first truly great Samsung flagship I've tested
By Philip Michaels published
Our managing editor for mobile has recommended Galaxy flagships in the past. But the Galaxy S24 has the right mix of features and price to really impress him.
![Samsung galaxy s24 review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HqtLYmU6XEVY6spo5TaFLj-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 review: Affordable AI power
By Philip Michaels last updated
Galaxy AI features at an affordable price
![Meta Quest 3 vs Apple Vision Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zBAggXTdEyfQmJy32Vsz94-320-80.jpg)
Meta Quest 3 is stealing Apple Vision Pro's best features — for $3,000 less
By Philip Michaels published
A software update for Meta Quest 3 will add the ability to watch spatial videos, mimicking an Apple Vision Pro feature as that $3,499 headset goes on sale.
![Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus cases](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7bK9BtFQTnmyU9hDqFMYMC-320-80.jpeg)
Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus cases in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus cases come in all varieties and colors, but they have one thing in common — they aim to keep your phone looking good as new. Here are our favorites.
![Chat Assist on Galaxy S24](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jFZfa9m9RbFdwzE9Tqrgsf-320-80.jpg)
Your Galaxy S24 can help you up your text messaging game — here's how
By Philip Michaels published
Get suggested tone changes and even translations with Galaxy AI
![Galaxy S24](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiUogUG7mgW3VxdnV67BLa-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy S24 delivers a major breakthrough — and it's not the AI
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung's entry level Galaxy S model has struggled to keep up with larger phones when it comes to battery life. That's changed with the Galaxy S24.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E4PUC2tYCjyg79vJBDnV2o-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 could be joined by a cheaper version
By Philip Michaels published
A new report claims that Samsung is working on a less expensive version of the Galaxy Z Fold which could possibly be ready later this year when the phone maker announces it latest foldables.
![Galaxy S24 reasons to buy and skip](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aRnYpJFMw28XyADfs4THe6-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24: 7 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
By Philip Michaels last updated
The Galaxy S24 is now on sale. If you're thinking about buying one, we can help you weigh the strengths and weaknesses of Samsung's new phone.
![Samsung galaxy s24 ultra reasons to buy and skip](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EKmNoaVZfWrpiM2VyNpj5-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — 7 reasons to buy the phone and 3 reasons to skip it
By Philip Michaels last updated
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers some solid improvements, but there are also reasons that may stop you from making this your next phone. Here are the arguments for and against upgrading.
![samsung galaxy s24 plus in yellow over a counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ts8BkRqBu2fi2vRXfuYBpS-320-80.jpg)
Forget Galaxy S24 Ultra — the Galaxy S24 Plus is the way better value
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy S24 Plus update is more significant than you might realize
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/neNBCAszSWTrKedGuAS9UV-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 — here's what Apple needs to copy for the iPhone 16
By Philip Michaels published
The Samsung Galaxy S24 models may not seem like a major overhaul. But there are plenty of improvements to raise the bar for what Apple's iPhone 16 lineup needs to deliver.
![OnePlus 12 reasons to buy and skip](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iRtndkDmowwc3DRBLfF7UP-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus 12 — 7 reasons to buy and 4 reasons to skip
By Philip Michaels published
Wondering whether the OnePlus 12 should be your next phone? We can walk you through the strengths and weaknesses of this new flagship.
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Violet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LVRkCioEH6BgK49MQ2rdPC-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra benchmarks — the iPhone 15 Pro has met its match
By Philip Michaels last updated
We've had a chance to run some Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra benchmarks, and in some key speed tests, Samsung's latest finally tops the iPhone 15 Pro. Find out how well the S24 Ultra did.
![Galaxy AI banner at Galaxy Unpacked 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5c3B2yVaj5DXJtr25QmZKN-320-80.jpeg)
Galaxy AI — these are the Galaxy S24's 7 AI features you'll want to try first
By Philip Michaels published
AI is the centerpiece of this year's Samsung flagships, and it's more than just hype. These are 7 Galaxy AI features that you'll want to try once you get your hands on a Galaxy S24.