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
I tried adaptive cruise control on these EVs — and it changed the way I drive
By John Velasco published
Drivers may be surprised trying it out for the first time
7 biggest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 rumored upgrades
By John Velasco last updated
This could help Samsung recapture the foldable crown
I tried Nomad's new Apple Find My Tracking Card, and it finally adds this one feature I've been asking for
By John Velasco published
The Nomad Tracking Card offers all the same Apple Find My features I've come to expect on other wallet trackers, but it's different for its convenient MagSafe charging.
Forget Magic Editor — here are the AI camera features the iPhone 16 Pro desperately needs
By John Velasco published
AI camera features should be intuitive and practical
I tried charging an EV at home and it was a shock I wasn't expecting
By John Velasco published
I finally got to charge my first EV at home, but I was shocked by how it turned out. Here's what every new and first time EV driver needs to know about charging at home.
I took over 200 photos with the Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8 — here’s the winner
By John Velasco published
In this Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8 photo shootout, I take both phones to capture over 200 photos and judge them in 10 different categories to find out which is the better camera phone for photography.
I used this rugged phone with a FLIR camera to see behind walls — and it even has an obnoxious 8,800 mAh battery
By John Velasco published
You might be surprised by what rugged phones can do nowadays
Forget Tesla Model 3 — I drove a Hyundai Ioniq 6 for a week and it’s a sportier alternative
By John Velasco published
I got to test drive a Hyundai Ioniq 6 all-electric sedan for a week, and I think it's a worthy alternative to the Tesla Model 3. Here's why.
It’s about time! Galaxy Z Fold 6 deserves better cameras than the Galaxy S24
By John Velasco published
Rumors tip big camera improvements for this year's Galaxy Z Fold 6 release. And that's approprite given the phone's lofty price tag.
I shot over 200 photos with the Pixel 8a vs iPhone SE — here’s the winner
By John Velasco last updated
In this Pixel 8a vs iPhone SE photo shootout, we captured over 200 photos to determine which has the better camera performance for mobile photography.
Forget iPhone 16 — Pixel 8a AI features proves why Google’s so ahead of Apple
By John Velasco published
The Pixel 8a inherits AI features that were first available on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, but they prove that Apple can't afford to come up short on AI features with the iPhone 16. Here's why.
Android 15 — 5 ways it just put iOS 18 on notice
By John Velasco published
Google I/O 2024 was a launchpad for many new AI features that will be coming to Android sooner than later, which means there's more pressure for Apple to respond with iOS 18.
Google I/O 2024 announcements — all the big Gemini AI and Android 15 news
By Philip Michaels published
Get all the latest news from Google I/O as Google holds its annual developers conference, where the focus figures to be on artificial intelligence and Android among other Google products.
Google I/O 2024 dates, Android 15, AI and more
By John Velasco last updated
Google I/O 2024 is coming up in May. Here's when the developer conference will take place along with the latest on all the new products we expect from Google.
I let the Lexus TX550H+ PHEV take over the steering wheel for me, and it was the biggest leap of faith I’ve had driving a car
By John Velasco published
It felt like I was about to go on a roller coaster ride
I shot over 200 photos with the OnePlus 12 vs Pixel 8 Pro — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
This one came out a lot closer that I initially thought
Apollo Go scooter review: a reliable, all-around performer
By John Velasco published
When it comes to getting around, the Apollo Go electric scooter makes it easy for anyone who's had little experience riding a scooter.
The Pixel 8a just put Apple and Samsung on notice — here’s why
By John Velasco published
Now that the Pixel 8a is official, it's clear how Google's phone is vastly better than anything its rivals offer in the midrange space. Apple, Samsung, and others can't afford to fall behind.
Pixel 8a is proof that Apple can't afford to shortchange the iPhone SE 4 — here's why
By John Velasco published
With the Pixel 8a's announcement, it pretty much means more pressure for the iPhone SE 4 to overdeliver, considering how Apple's cheapest iPhone is long overdue for an upgrade.
I took over 200 photos with the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra — here's the winner
By John Velasco published
This one came out a lot closer this time
iPhone 16 — this is the one upgrade Apple needs to make
By John Velasco last updated
While others might be turned off by rumors about the iPhone 16 keeping to a 60Hz display refresh rate, Apple instead needs to upgrade it with an always-on display.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra now looks like a lock for this year — here’s why
By John Velasco published
The Galaxy Watch Ultra could be the premium model Samsung's expected to launch soon to complement its Galaxy Watch 7 series of smartwatches.
I drove a Lexus TX550H+ plug-in hybrid for a week — here's my pros and cons
By John Velasco published
After test driving my first plug-in hybrid vehicle, a Lexus TX550H+, I got a better understanding of what this PHEV has to offer drivers as a luxury SUV.
Most of my favorite apps are ditching one-time payments for subscriptions — this is a problem
By John Velasco published
Many of the photo and video editing apps I use on my smartphones have been moving to subscription models instead of the one-time payments I was used to. This annoys me so much. Here's why.
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