John Velasco
John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.
Latest articles by John Velasco
Samsung Galaxy S25: All the rumors so far
By John Velasco last updated
With a Galaxy Unpacked date looming, rumors and news about the Samsung Galaxy S25 have reached a boiling point. Here's everything we know about the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra.
The Galaxy S25 has no chance of winning unless Samsung copies this feature from Apple and Google
By John Velasco published
The Galaxy S25 Plus is in trouble if it can't match the 5x optical zoom cameras found in Apple and Google's phones.
I shot over 200 photos with the OnePlus 13 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra — here’s the winner
By John Velasco published
I captured over 200 photos with the OnePlus 13 vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra to see which is the better camera phone.
Best phones under $300 in 2025
By John Velasco last updated
We've gathered the best cheap phones for those who are on a tight budget. You have to make serious compromises with these devices, but at least they're inexpensive.
I used the OnePlus 13 to capture professional headshots — and I'm surprised by the results
By John Velasco last updated
With its upgraded triple camera system, I put the OnePlus 13's portrait mode to the test to capture professional headshots.
Best foldable phones of 2025
By John Velasco last updated
More phone makers than ever are coming out with devices you can fold into more compact designs. These are the best foldable phones we’ve tested.
New Galaxy S25 Slim renders tease Samsung's thinnest phone ever
By John Velasco published
New renders of the Galaxy S25 Slim gives us a glimpse to its design and size, courtesy of OnLeaks and SmartPrix.
I drove the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV for a week — and it's the last great minivan
By John Velasco published
The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle blends gas and electric power. I drove it for a week to see if it could change my mind about minivans.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera rumors seem lame — here's why I think it could still beat the iPhone 16 Pro Max
By John Velasco last updated
I really don't think Samsung will bring back a 10x optical zoom camera with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But I'm fine with that because of how effective AI has become at tweaking camera performance.
I shot over 200 photos with the OnePlus 13 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max — here’s the winner
By John Velasco published
In my OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max photo shoot-out, I took over 200 photos to see which is the better camera phone.
Samsung Galaxy S25 renders leak ahead of Unpacked — and they’re our best look at the upcoming phones
By John Velasco published
Ahead of Galaxy Unpacked, leaked renders of the Galaxy S25 series give us our best look of the upcoming phones courtesy of leaker Evan Blass.
Best cheap phones 2025 tested — January top picks
By John Velasco last updated
These are the best cheap phones you can buy based on our testing and reviews.
I created this short cinematic clip with the OnePlus 13's video camera — here's the result
By John Velasco published
I tested out the OnePlus 13 video camera to capture and produce a shot cinematic video that highlights the new phone's performance and shooting modes.
I tried astrophotography on my OnePlus 13 to shoot nebulas, star clusters, and planets — these were my best captures
By John Velasco published
The OnePlus 13 has a new triple camera system and image processing algorithms, so I tried astrophotography on it to see what it can capture of the night sky.
I tried the new OnePlus 13 AI Editor on my photos — is it any good?
By John Velasco published
The OnePlus 13 introduces a new suite of AI Editor tools that makes complex photo edits a breeze. Here's what happened when I tried them out.
Segway Xyber is a terrifyingly powerful new ebike — 0 to 20 mph in under 3 seconds
By John Velasco published
At CES 2025, the cyberpunk inspired Segway Xyber is an ebike unlike any other with its mighty acceleration and endurance that leaves other electric bikes in the dust.
Best camera phones in 2025
By John Velasco last updated
We've tested all the best camera phones, and these are the ones that rise to the top.
Segway’s new performance driven electric scooter is a speed demon on wheels — 0 to 30 mph in under 4 seconds
By John Velasco published
At CES 2025, Segway introduced its next-generation of electric scooters, complete with a pair of performance driven models that are built for speed and range.
7 features to try first on the OnePlus 13 — camera tools, walkie-talkie, OnePlus AI, and more
By John Velasco published
The OnePlus 13 is finally official and it's accompanied by new features ranging from AI to better ways to use the camera. Here's all the new features to try first.
Anker unveils solar beach umbrella with charging speeds up to 100W and an electric cooler
By John Velasco published
At CES 2025, Anker introduced its new solar beach umbrella and electric cooler that can keep cool for up to 104 hours.
I drove the Kia Sportage PHEV for a week — and it’s the hybrid car most families should buy
By John Velasco published
The Kia Sportage PHEV offers both gas and all-electric driving, which could make it the perfect hybrid vehicle for most families. I drove it for a week to find out.
Portrait or landscape? I used generative AI to put an end to this photo controversy for good
By John Velasco published
I tried the AI Expand feature in the Cyberlink PhotoDirector app to use generative AI to transform my landscape photos in portrait ones.
I drove a Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally for a week — here's my pros and cons
By John Velasco published
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally places a premium on performance, speed and handling, but how is its efficiency? We find out in this EV test drive.
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