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

iPhone 18 Pro rumors: everything we know so far
By Richard Priday, John Velasco Last updated
You can find all the rumors about the next iPhone Pro here — from when it'll launch to what upgrades it'll have.

I've tested every major foldable phone this year, and the iPhone Ultra can beat them all with this one killer feature
By John Velasco Published
While Android foldables have perfected their hardware, the iPhone Ultra could instantly dominate the category simply by solving the messy app scaling mistake.

iPhone Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — here's the flagship foldable I'd recommend based on the rumors
By John Velasco Published
I break down an iPhone Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold Ultra comparison to find out which foldable phone could earn my money as the better foldable device.

I test and review the best camera phones — these are my favorites right now
By John Velasco Last updated
We've tested all the best camera phones, and these are the ones that rise to the top.

I drove the Audi Q6 e-tron and BMW iX xDrive45 for a week — here’s mid-size luxury SUV I recommend
By John Velasco Published
After driving the Audi Q6 e-tron and BMW iX xDrive45 for a week each, there's one all-electric, mid-size SUV I'd gladly spend my money on.

Google Pixel 11 review: Lackluster upgrades that cost $100 more
By John Velasco Published
The Pixel 11 continues to bring the best AI features around, powered by Gemini, but it lacks the hardware upgrades and performance improvements to back up its $100 price increase.

Apple 'surprise and shine' event set for September 9 — iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, and more
By John Velasco Published
Apple just sent out invites to its upcoming fall event on September 9, where we'll likely have announcements for the iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and more.

I tried this MagSafe game controller and it puts other Bluetooth gamepads to shame — plus it’s $20 off right now
By John Velasco Published
The Ohsnap MCON Bluetooth Gaming Controller is the most versatile Bluetooth gaming pad I've used, featuring an ingenious MagSafe magnetic mount.

New report reveals what early testers love most about iPhone Ultra — here’s what I think
By John Velasco Published
Early tester reports praise the foldable iPhone Ultra’s pocketable passport design, refined hinge, large camera viewfinder, and iPad-style layouts.

I paired my iPhone with the Insta360 Mic Pro — and it beats my old DJI Mic with one neat feature
By John Velasco Published
The Insta360 Mic Pro delivers reliable audio performance and seamless connectivity with a unique twist: a customizable e-ink display.

I drove the Jeep Cherokee and Kia Sportage Hybrid for a week — here’s the $40K compact SUV I recommend
By John Velasco Published
I put the Jeep Cherokee and Kia Sportage Hybrid to the test by driving them for a week each to see which compact SUV is better.

iPhone 18 Pro Max — I asked pro photographers what they really think of a variable aperture camera
By John Velasco Published
Apple's rumored to bring a variable aperture to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, so I asked professional photographers about the impact of this. Here's what they said.

iPhone Ultra vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max: Here’s the one I’m putting my money on
By John Velasco Published
The iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max are the two phones I'm most eager about, but only one will truly earn a place in my pocket.

Best foldable phones of 2026
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.

Best phones 2026 tested — our top picks
By John Velasco Last updated
These are the best phones you can buy at a wide range of prices based on our extensive testing and head-to-head comparisons.

I drove the Infiniti QX60 and Genesis GV80 for a week — here’s the 3-row, mid-size luxury SUV I recommend
By John Velasco Published
I tested the Infinity QX60 and Genesis GV80 for a week each to see how these 3-row, mid-size luxury SUVs compare to each other to see which is worth your money.

My cats have been using this open top robotic litter box for 3 months — and it's $100 off right now
By John Velasco Published
My cats have used the Petlibro Luma smart litter box for over three months and its open-air design and intelligent tracking makes it a superior choice if you want to scoop less.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Falling behind the foldable curve
By John Velasco Published
Even with key upgrades like the Tensor G6 chip and more AI-assisted features, the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold comes up short against the competition.

I just tried the thinnest phone grip Popsockets has created — and now there's no reason to not get a grip for your phone
By John Velasco Published
I tested the PopSockets Low-Pro Grip for a week and it reimagines the iconic phone accessory with a razor-thin 2.6 mm profile with a built-in kickstand.

I've spent more than three weeks using the Galaxy Z Flip 8 — and it's a tipping point for Samsung
By John Velasco Published
Samsung has long dominated the flip-phone form factor, but the release of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 has put the series in serious doubt.

I drove the Lucid Air Touring for a week — and it feels like a genuine supercar (with 400-mile range)
By John Velasco Published
RecommendedThe 2026 Lucid Air Touring is a highly efficient luxury EV that blends a curvy supercar design with class-leading interior legroom.

I drove the Honda Passport and Subaru Outback for a week — here’s the midsize SUV I recommend for families
By John Velasco Published
I put the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness and 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite to the test to see which of these midsize SUVs is better for families.

Google bamboozled me into paying for Google Photos a decade ago — and now it’s doing something similar with the Pixel 11 Pro
By John Velasco Published
Google continues to make and sell hardware, but the real gold is in how its AI features on Pixel phones have proven to be indispensable in how I operate.

Made by Google Event LIVE from NYC — here's everything Google announced today
By John Velasco, Tom Pritchard Last updated
Google's Made by Google 2026 event kicks off late this evening, but it's already announced its flagship Pixel 11 lineup, Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Tag tracker, and more.

I tried the Honor Robot Phone and it's crazy built-in gimbal — and this could be the future of camera phones
By John Velasco Last updated
Not yet ratedBy introducing a motorized robotic gimbal to its design, the Honor Robot Phone reimagines mobile video that would give current action camera gimbals a run for their money.
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