
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

Google Pixel 9a vs. Samsung Galaxy A56: Which sub-$500 phone should you get?
By Philip Michaels published
The Google Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy A56 both cost $499. But which phone delivers the better value? We aim to find out.

Apple WWDC 2025 date set for June 9 — iOS 19, Apple Intelligence and more expected
By Philip Michaels published
Apple has announced that WWDC 2025 will take place the week of June 9. And with big overhauls rumored for its software this year, there should be a lot of focus on what Apple will announce there.

I avoided Apple Maps for trip planning — but these iOS 18 features are changing my mind
By Philip Michaels published
It used to be a pain looking up locations in places you were planning to travel to using Apple Maps. But there's now a Search Here tool in iOS 18 that makes searching a lot easier.

I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
By Philip Michaels published
In iOS 18.4, Safari now displays a list of Recent Searches when you're using the mobile browser. But there's now a setting to turn that off.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Everything we know so far
By Philip Michaels published
As more details emerge about the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung's upcoming thin phone sounds a lot like the Galaxy S25 Plus. Here's how the two models compare.

Google Pixel 9a launch LIVE: Everything you need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
The Google Pixel 9a just got released, and we have all the information about specs, features and pre-order deals. Plus, we'll look at how the phone compares to other low-cost options.

Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a: All the biggest changes
By Philip Michaels last updated
With Google shipping a new phone soon, a Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a comparison can give you sense of what Google's offering and how it differs from last year's model.

iPhone 17 Air — 5 biggest revelations from new in-depth report
By Philip Michaels last updated
A new report offers more insight into the iPhone 17 Air and the impact it will have on future iPhones.

iOS 18.4 adds a new way to track your spending — but I think Apple can go even further
By Philip Michaels published
In iOS 18.4, the Wallet app can track recurring payments you make using Apple Pay. But I'd like to see other subscriptions added to the mix.

My favorite iOS 18.4 feature is ambient music — here's how to activate it
By Philip Michaels last updated
iOS 18.4 brings an ambient music feature to the Control Center on your iPhone. Here's why you should give it a try.

Apple analysts sound alarm on Siri delay — here’s why
By Philip Michaels last updated
We're still waiting for a smarter Siri in Apple Intelligence — and that's a problem. Here's a closer look at the challenges facing Apple ahead of this year's iOS 19 update.

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Biggest expected upgrades
By Philip Michaels last updated
With iPhone 17 Pro Max rumors coming into focus, here's how this year's premium iPhone could compare to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone
By Philip Michaels published
iOS 19 rumors are starting to emerge ahead of a likely preview this summer. Here are the 5 top rumors we've heard so far about the iPhone software update.

Google Pixel 9a will have to fix one crucial thing to hold off its low-cost rivals
By Philip Michaels published
Battery life hasn't been anything to write home about on recent Pixel phones. But Pixel 9a rumors suggests that may be about to change.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. iPhone 17 Air: What we know so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung has already show off the Galaxy S25 Edge, while Apple reportedly has an iPhone 17 Air in the works. It sets the stage for a battle of slim phones.

Not just for flagships anymore — how the Pixel 8a, iPhone 16e and other phones are expanding AI's reach
By Philip Michaels published
Here's what AI tools are available in lower cost phones

iOS 18.4 adds a crucial Apple Intelligence feature to the iPhone 15 Pro — and it makes your phone more powerful
By Philip Michaels published
With iOS 18.4, iPhone 15 Pro gains support for Visual Intelligence. Here's how to set up this Apple Intelligence feature and what you can do with it.

Google Pixel 9a rumors — what Google’s planning as the iPhone 16e and Nothing Phone 3a ramp up the pressure
By Philip Michaels published
Low-cost phones are getting better cameras than ever before. So how will the Pixel 9a respond?

Google Pixel 9a needs to be more like the Nothing Phone 3a — here’s how
By Philip Michaels published
Pixel 9a leaks suggest the distinctive camera bar from previous models will disappear. The just-released Nothing Phone 3a shows why that's a mistake.

Nothing Phone 3a review: Redefining value
By Philip Michaels published
The Nothing Phone 3a has the kind of features you wouldn't expect in a device with this price tag. But do those features deliver the value you'd expect?

iPhone 16e vs. OnePlus 13R: Which phone delivers the best value?
By Philip Michaels published
An iPhone 16e vs. OnePlus 13R showdown features two phones with a lot in common besides their $599 starting price.

Samsung Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26 debut — bringing more AI to inexpensive phones
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung is updating its midrange phone lineup, with the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26 arriving in March ahead of a Galaxy A56 U.S. launch later this year. Here's what to expect from the new phones.

iOS 18.4 has one killer upgrade that will make your life easier — here's how to set it up
By Philip Michaels published
Priority Notifications is a big Apple Intelligence — here's how it works.

Getting an iPhone 16e? These are the 7 Apple Intelligence features I'd try out first
By Philip Michaels published
One of the first thing iPhone 16e owners are going to want to do is explore all the new Apple Intelligence features on their phone. Here's where to get started.

I review phones for a living — and this is the budget phone I recommend to friends and family
By Philip Michaels published
Motorola has come out with two new Moto G phones already in 2025, and they prove that the phone maker really knows what it's doing when it comes to cheap phones that deliver good value.
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