
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

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.

Best phone battery life in 2025: The longest lasting smartphones
By Philip Michaels last updated
These phones held out for at least 14 hours in our test to offer the best phone battery life.

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.

What is Mint Mobile, and is it worth it?
By Jordan Palmer last updated
Mint Mobile offers big savings on your wireless bill if you pay for a year of service upfront. Here's what you need to know.

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 Mint Mobile plans 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best Mint Mobile plans feature some of the cheapest prices right now — here's how to save on your monthly wireless phone service.

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

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.

Best GPS tracker for kids in 2025
By Philip Michaels last updated
Our pick for the best GPS tracker for kids can help pinpoint a lost child’s location, giving worried parents some peace of mind.

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.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. Galaxy S25 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Which one should you buy?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Trying to decide which of Samsung's new phones to get? Here's how the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra compare.

Best AT&T phone plans in 2025: What's right for you?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Looking for a monthly data plan at AT&T? Here's what you can expect to pay whether you're signing up for one of AT&T's best data plans for families or individuals.

The best baby monitors of 2025
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
These are the best baby monitors with the video quality and features you need to check in on a sleeping child.

Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 could be a lot like this foldable that already launched
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 details make the upcoming phone sound an awful lot like the Galaxy Z Special Edition that came out in South Korea last year.

Galaxy S25 hits stores this Friday — here's the first feature I'm going to try
By Philip Michaels published
The Galaxy S25 lineup introduces many features, but cross app actions powered by Galaxy AI is the one that interests me the most.

iOS 18.3 proves Apple Intelligence is far from finished
By Philip Michaels published
The Apple Intelligence rollout continues, even if iOS 18.3 enables AI tools by default now. And Siri updates are the big missing piece of the puzzle.

Apple's likely to release lots of iPhones this year — which one should you plan to get?
By Philip Michaels published
With an iPhone SE 4 launch expected in the spring and this year's iPhone 17 updates likely to happen in the fall, it's time to start thinking about which iPhone you''re going to upgrade to.

Apple says the iPhone 16 is selling well and Apple Intelligence is a big reason why
By Philip Michaels published
iPhone sales may have been flat during the holiday quarter, but Apple says the iPhone 16 is performing better than the iPhone 15 did. And Apple Intelligence is apparently a big reason why.
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