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
![iPhone 16 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LRHRJgnJqueph5xbXspJkR-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Can Apple beat Samsung’s best?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's how the phones compare based on iPhone 16 Pro rumors
![Unofficial renders of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max from the front](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GyyTEMvaZ4Ddz2CdxWKACo-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro displays — 5 biggest rumors for the new iPhones
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple could make some big changes to the displays on the iPhone 16 — quite literally, in the case of the Pro models. Here are the biggest rumors surrounding iPhone 16 displays right now.
![Unofficial iOS 18 logo on an iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AuRomvkySEmFHuB868KNx4-320-80.jpg)
WWDC 2024 — 5 biggest iOS 18 questions for this year's Apple event
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple's about to preview iOS 18 — here's what we want to know
![Samsung Galaxy Fold 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6Kv8xLJNYnnyFcCQghNk89-320-80.jpg)
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 — this is how Samsung can make them stand out at Unpacked
By Philip Michaels published
If Samsung wants the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 to stand out from stepped-up competition for foldable phones, it needs to highlight Galaxy AI additions.
![cheapest cell phone plans at wireless carriers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KzrzsuDmhy54iefT5ecgUZ-320-80.jpg)
Cell phone service for less — the cheapest plans we've found at each phone carrier
By Philip Michaels published
With the Affordable Connectivity Program ending, we look at the cheapest wireless plans available at the wireless providers we're tracking to help you keep your mobile costs down.
![Unofficial renders of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max from the front and back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c36pCvWkbjFe4A4XG8GrLo-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro design — 5 biggest rumors for the new iPhones
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iPhone's look isn't getting an overhaul, but there are some changes
![iOS 18 logo on an iPhone home screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kCX6V4w9dzkHLJYusXSYGe-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 AI should shake up Apple's iPhone lineup — here's how
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple usually drops the current Pro models when it introduces new iPhones. But if the iPhone 15 Pro models support on-device AI, why not keep them around after the iPhone 16 launch?
![Motorola Edge (2024)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FAgFLkG7tKJ5ShsHcZMycg-320-80.jpg)
Motorola Edge (2024) hopes to beat Google Pixel 8a at its own AI photo game
By Philip Michaels published
The Motorola Edge (2024) adds the Magic Editor, Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser tools of Google Photos, along with AI-optimized stabilization for its main camera.
![Samsung Galaxy Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yCaNQqVYedssMGqhikYPs-320-80.jpg)
Samsung reveals Galaxy Ring launch date, as it takes Oura to court
By Philip Michaels published
Samsung has filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that its Galaxy Ring doesn't infringe upon the Oura Ring and its patents. And that filing reveals when the Galaxy Ring is arriving.
![iOS 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qoch7qCmGpoiskEQbNi2DU-320-80.jpg)
With iOS 18 on-device AI, Apple has some explaining to do
By Philip Michaels published
More details are emerging about how the AI features coming via iOS 18 will work. But those details are raising questions that only Apple can answer at WWDC 2024.
![Pixel 9 render and Pixel 8a photo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ibBmp4CxQiRWV2dNcQyqa-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 9: Should you buy now or wait?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Fans of Pixel phones need to decide whether to upgrade to the new Pixel 8a now or hold out for the Pixel 9 update coming later this year. We break down the arguments for either decision.
![Moto G 5G stylus review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5WJTTu6jod2TnYXtKLXnT8-320-80.jpg)
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) review: The stylus isn't the star
By Philip Michaels published
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) comes with a stylus for jotting down notes on the phone, but it's the bright display and long battery life that grab the spotlight here.
![iOS 18](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aY9mW65ZnrcBqziB6MEMAo-320-80.jpg)
iOS 18 rumored AI features — what I like and what has me worried
By Philip Michaels published
We've now heard more about what AI tools are coming to your iPhone this year. A few sound promising while others are going to require an explanation from Apple.
![WWDC 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eZGqD7rRBvLS5Ug243SFWo-320-80.jpg)
Apple confirms WWDC keynote — when it’s happening and what to expect
By Philip Michaels published
Apple confirmed that it will kick off WWDC 2024 with a keynote on June 10. Here's when the keynote begins and what Apple's likely to talk about.
![Google Pixel Fold shown in hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xnUAQeakptAQSnRaDgs9gC-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel Fold 2 release date could be key to beating the Galaxy Z Fold 6
By Philip Michaels published
Whether it's called the Pixel Fold 2 or the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the key thing about Google's next foldable phone is when it arrives. Here's why.
![OpenAI logo on phone sitting on top of laptop keyboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bgY6ZCGwqasDuht74rr3JW-320-80.jpg)
OpenAI could play a role in Apple’s iOS 18 update — and that has me worried
By Philip Michaels published
The company's developing a reputation for recklessness
![how to create guides in apple maps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7MVr5Yur5mc7cWyKnjH5pV-320-80.jpg)
Apple Maps has a trip-planning feature tool buried inside — here's how to use it
By Philip Michaels published
You can create guides in Apple Maps that include all the places you want to visit on a trip. We'll show you how to create a guide and how to share it with the people you're traveling with.
![iPhone 16 render front and back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CuF2xLWotirBaduW548DpJ-320-80.jpg)
Should I upgrade to the iPhone 16? These are the 5 key areas Apple needs to address
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone 16 is coming later this year. Our managing editor for mobile looks at what Apple needs to do to convince him to upgrade from his current phone.
![boost mobile logo on a smartphone screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SjxEKW6uwrS8dSbaERhXYi-320-80.jpg)
Best Boost Mobile plans in 2024: What's the best option for you?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's a look at Boost Mobile's wireless plans, and which one is the best Boost Mobile plan for your needs.
![iphone 16 ultra concept](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zVebY7pNKagUzSXbX2Zd3U-320-80.jpeg)
iPhone 17 Slim could be the most expensive iPhone ever — but how?
By Philip Michaels published
It'll take more than a slim design to justify a premium iPhone
![iPhone trade-in values up at Apple for a limited time](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/33yp7zLdfXxNb5TqSFhzHi-320-80.jpg)
Hurry! Apple's boosting iPhone trade-in values for a limited time
By Philip Michaels published
If you trade-in your iPhone at Apple by June 3, you could get a bigger return than normal, as the company is increasing the size of the rebates it's offering for a limited time.
![iPhone SE 4 concept](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eagte8gWfBTE79XEKZpBY7-320-80.jpg)
iPhone SE 4 tipped for attractive price — but it will arrive too late to matter
By Philip Michaels published
A rumor claims the iPhone SE 4 may cost less than $500. But with the phone not expected until 2025, that may not make much of a difference.
![Lili Taylor and Hamish Linklater in "Manhunt," now streaming on Apple TV+.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dqocrUX4cxAd4z9pkBPd6h-320-80.jpg)
Not every streaming show needs to be a series — 'Manhunt' on Apple TV Plus proves it
By Philip Michaels published
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, I did not enjoy the show
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