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 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.

iPhone 16e battery life tested — how it measures up to other iPhones
By Philip Michaels published
Apple says the iPhone 16e has the longest-lasting battery of any 6.1-inch phone it's ever made. Let's test that claim.

OnePlus Open 2 could have been the best foldable of the year — so why is it not happening?
By Philip Michaels last updated
A new OnePlus Open wouldn't just mean an exciting new device — it would also keep other foldable phone makers on their toes.

The Moto G Power (2025) promises long battery life — I found out if it could deliver
By Philip Michaels published
The latest version of the Moto G Power delivers the long battery life you'd expect. But it may not be the best long-lasting option for bargain hunters.

Pixel 9a vs iPhone 16e — here's 3 ways Google can beat Apple
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone 16e could soon be joined by the Pixel 9a, as Google releases a midrange phone of its own. Here's what's going to determine which is the best alternative to pricier flagships.

iPhone 16e — everything you need to know
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple has announced its latest phone, the iPhone 16e and here's everything we know about the device.

Best mobile hotspots in 2025
By Jeffery Battersby last updated
These are the best mobile hotspots for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile customers.

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.

I covered Samsung's Galaxy S25 launch and I saw 5 things Apple should learn for its iPhone releases
By Philip Michaels published
Apple could learn a few lessons from what Samsung announced when it showed off the Galaxy S25 models last month.

Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's how the best cell phone plans for seniors compare, ranging from the cheapest to best unlimited options.

iPhone SE 4 coming soon — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
By Philip Michaels last updated
With an iPhone SE 4 launch looming, here are all the top rumors surrounding the upcoming device.

An iPhone SE 4 launch next week sounds like a huge mistake for Apple — here’s why
By Philip Michaels published
A report says that Apple could release the iPhone SE 4 to little fanfare next week. That would be doing the new model a great disservice if rumored features are accurate.
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