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
Made by Google 2025 — Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4 and what else could appear
By Philip Michaels published
With a date now set for Google's next hardware launch, let's look at possible announcements for the August 20 Made by Google presentation, starting with new Pixel 10 phones.
Best international phone plans in 2025 — what travelers need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 battery life — the results are in
By Philip Michaels published
We've had a chance to test the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. Here's how these new Samsung foldables perform in the critical area of battery life.
T-Mobile vs. Verizon — here's why we updated our pick for the best phone carrier
By Philip Michaels published
There's been a reversal in the top spot for our rankings of U.S. phone carriers. Here's how T-Mobile was able to overtake Verizon.
iOS 26 Safari lets you pick your own tab design — here's how to do it
By Philip Michaels published
Liquid Glass is very much present in the iOS 26 version of Safari, but you can put your own stamp on the layout by picking one of three layouts for the tab design.
Best phones 2025 tested — Our top picks
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best phones you can buy at a wide range of prices based on our extensive testing and head-to-head comparisons.
I was underwhelmed by the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE — here's why it could be worth buying anyway
By Philip Michaels published
Maybe the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE didn't impress me when it debuted alongside Samsung's premium foldable phones. But there are still plenty of reasons this lower-cost model delivers good value.
Best phone carriers of 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Trying to find the best phone carrier for your wireless service? Here's how the top providers rank based on data speeds, phone selection and more.
The best 5G phones in 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best 5G phones deliver faster downloads, lower latency and a lot more. Here are the 5G-capable phones worth your attention.
AutoMix gets the hype in iOS 26's Music app, but there’s another change that’s even better
By Philip Michaels published
iOS 26 is bringing a couple changes to the Music app on your iPhone. Find out more about AutoMix and Pins, including how to use them.
Google Pixel 10 Pro rumors — everything we know so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
We're expecting the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL to arrive this summer alongside the Pixel 10. Find out the rumored changes tipped to appear on Google's upcoming Pro models.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: 5 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
By Philip Michaels published
Bigger screens and beefed-up AI features make a compelling case to buy the Galaxy Z Flip 7. But there are reasons to skip the new foldable, too.
What is Lyca Mobile: Plans, coverage and what you need to know about this low-cost phone carrier
By Philip Michaels published
Lyca Mobile offers low-cost phone plans — particularly if you're willing to pay for a full year's of service in one go. Here's what you can expect to pay and how it compares to rival carriers.
Best Verizon phone deals for July 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best Verizon phone deals available right now for both Android and Apple devices.
iOS 26 Photos — here's the biggest upgrades for your iPhone
By Philip Michaels last updated
Customize your collections layout and look up event info from your photos
Best cell phone plans in 2025: The best options for your monthly phone service
By Philip Michaels last updated
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.
iPhone 17 release date: All the possibilities for this year's phone launch
By Philip Michaels last updated
What we can learn from past iPhone releases for this year's launch
iPhone 17 Air rumors — everything we know so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
The slimmest iPhone ever could be arriving in 2025, but you may want to start saving now.
iPhone 17 Pro — all the rumors and leaks so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's the latest on rumored features on the iPhone 17 Pro, including potential changes by Apple and what you might pay for the phone due to the Trump tariffs.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: 5 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
By Philip Michaels published
There's a lot to like about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 if you're considering buying the phone — but there are a few things to fret about, too.
My daughter needed a laptop for school — this last-minute Prime Day deal helped me nab a MacBook Air on the cheap
By Philip Michaels published
It's never too late to find a good deal on a back-to-school laptop, as I discovered when I got a discounted MacBook Air for my daughter.
Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is incredibly thin and light — here's how it stacks up to other slender phones
By Philip Michaels published
Whether open or closed, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 cuts a slender profile. But how does it compare to other phones in terms of thinness and weight?
Galaxy Unpacked 2025 LIVE: All the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 and Watch 8 news
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event brought us updated versions of the Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Watch. Get all the details on everything Samsung revealed.
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