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
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Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Official date, Samsung Galaxy S25 launch plans and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
Samsung will hold its first big product launch of the year in a matter of days. Here's when Galaxy Unpacked 2025 will happen and what we expect to see.
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Thinking about buying an iPhone SE? That would be a big mistake
By Philip Michaels published
With the current iPhone SE in short supply, you may feel the pressure to pick up the least expensive iPhone model. But you're better off waiting a few months. Here's why.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. OnePlus 13: Which will be the best Android phone of 2025?
By Philip Michaels last updated
The Samsung Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13 figure to be two of the biggest Android devices to come out this year. Our Galaxy S25 vs. OnePlus 13 comparison looks at how the phones potentially stack up.
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I shot 200 photos with the OnePlus 13R and Google Pixel 8a — here's the best cheap camera phone
By Philip Michaels published
You don't have to pay big bucks to get great photos, as both the OnePlus 13R and Pixel 8a prove. But which camera phone is the better buy? We took 200 photos to find out.
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Galaxy S25 AI features — I asked the Tom's Guide staff what they want to see
By Philip Michaels published
Galaxy AI will be the focus when Samsung introduces its new Galaxy S25 phones. But which features should be a part of this update? We've got a few ideas.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 Unpacked event: 5 biggest unanswered questions
By Philip Michaels last updated
With Galaxy Unpacked getting underway on January 22, Samsung will fill in the missing details about its upcoming Galaxy S25 phones. These are the 5 biggest questions we have ahead of the event.
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The iPhone SE 4 is going to be Apple's most exciting phone release this year — here's why
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone SE 4 will reportedly introduce a lot of welcome changes should it arrive as expected in a few months. That would make this phone Apple's most significant release all year.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra battery and charging rumors — what you need to know
By Philip Michaels published
Here's what we've heard about the battery and charging speed changes tipped for all three of Samsung's Galaxy S25 models ahead of their likely launch this month.
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iPhone Flip: Has Apple already missed its moment to make a foldable phone?
By Philip Michaels published
A new report has a foldable iPhone in development. But with reports that demand is dropping for foldables, will it be too late for Apple to come out with an iPhone Flip?
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I put OnePlus 13R vs Google Pixel 8a through a 7-round face-off — here's the winner
By Philip Michaels last updated
Can OnePlus topple Google?
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OnePlus 13R review: A flagship phone in every way but price
By Philip Michaels last updated
Improve cameras, better battery life — so what's the catch?
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OnePlus 13R is proof you never need to spend big on a flagship again — here's why
By Philip Michaels last updated
Midrange phones like the OnePlus 13R are making fewer trade-offs while offering lower prices than their flagship counterparts.
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It’s almost time for a Galaxy S25 upgrade decision — here’s where I’m leaning after this week's leaks
By Philip Michaels published
With Galaxy Unpacked a little more than a week away, it's nearly time to decide whether to upgrade to a new Galaxy S25. The latest revelations about the phone are helping clarify that decision.
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OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: All the differences
By Philip Michaels published
OnePlus starts the year with two new phones. Our OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R looks at what's different between the flagship and midrange models.
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OnePlus 13R arrives: Price, specs and all the latest features for this OnePlus midrange phone
By Philip Michaels published
OnePlus has released a new version of its midrange phone. Here's what you get with the OnePlus 13R.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 displays: What to expect from Samsung’s latest screens
By Philip Michaels published
Does Samsung have big changes planned for the screens on its upcoming phones? Here's what we know about Galaxy S25 display rumors.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 launch set for January 22 at Unpacked — reservation deals live now
By Philip Michaels published
The next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on January 22. We're expecting to see the latest Galaxy S25 phones along with new Galaxy AI features.
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C is for Cook — why Apple TV Plus needs to save 'Sesame Street'
By Philip Michaels published
"Sesame Street" is looking for a new home and Apple TV Plus is looking for quality shows. Why not combine the two?
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Samsung Galaxy S25 expected to launch this month — and these 3 things will determine if the phones are upgrade-worthy
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung is likely to show off its new Galaxy S25 models this month. Here's how to tell if the phones will be worth an upgrade when they're announced.
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OnePlus 13: 5 biggest questions I have ahead of the January 7 launch event
By Philip Michaels published
There's a lot we already know about the OnePlus 13. But there are still some questions to be answered at the phone's January 7 launch event.
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I’ve been using this great new iOS 18 feature that lets me better hear dialogue in shows and movies — here's how it works
By Philip Michaels published
In iOS 18, the TV app can now make it easier to hear what actors are saying with the help of the Enhance Dialogue feature.
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The iPhone SE 4's rumored iPhone 16E name is a promising sign — here's why
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone SE 4 may have a new name that suggests Apple Intelligence features are very much part of the mix for Apple's least expensive phone.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 could come with this great AI freebie for millions
By Philip Michaels published
Uncovered code indicates that the Galaxy S25 may include different tiers of free access to Gemini Advanced depending on which model you buy.
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10 most anticipated phones of 2025: iPhone 17 Air, Galaxy S25 Ultra and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
From the Galaxy S25 launch at the start of the year to the iPhone 17 in the fall, we're expecting to see a lot of phones in 2025. Here's a look at some of the biggest expected releases.
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