Need-to-knows Let’s get the most important thing out of the way immediately. If you’re an iPhone user, buy the AirPods Pro 3. If you’re a Samsung Galaxy user, buy the Buds4 Pro. Both of these earbuds are built to shine inside their respective ecosystems, and you’ll lose meaningful functionality by crossing the fence. But if you’re genuinely undecided (maybe you’re switching phones, or you aren’t bothered about ecosystem compatibility), there’s a proper conversation to be had. Samsung launched the Buds4 Pro at Galaxy Unpacked in February 2026, directly targeting Apple’s flagship, and the gap between the two has never been…
Author: Max Bancroft
Max Bancroft
What I Do
Max Bancroft has been the Editorial Director at MarkEllisReviews.com for three years. In this role, Max is responsible for shaping the content strategy for the website, managing and writing product reviews, as well as developing buying guides that help consumers make informed decisions. Before joining the MarkEllisReviews team, Max worked as a freelance writer and completed a Master's degree in Geopolitics and Technology. His studies and previous work experience have equipped him with a unique perspective on how technology influences both individuals and the global landscape, enhancing his ability to analyze and review tech products in a well-rounded manner. As both an Android and Apple user, Max has no loyalties to a particular brand, but the M1 MacBook Pro is currently his most-used bit of tech. Being tall with long arms, Max can often be found working on his layups around the basketball courts of London or playing video games if it’s raining (which it often is in the UK).
Background
Max has authored over 100 reviews and buying guides during his time at MarkEllisReviews.com, covering a wide range of tech products, from wearables to laptops. His most notable work is a detailed review of Apple’s M1, M2 and M3 chips which has become a go-to resource. Max’s ability to break down complex information into easily digestible content makes him a key contributor to the site’s success and strikes to the core of the MarkEllisReviews ethos.
Qualifications
Max’s qualifications include an MA in Geopolitics and Technology, which enables him to approach tech reviews with a unique analytical lens. His background in both writing and technology has helped him develop a deep understanding of future tech trends, giving his reviews a broader context. Max is a trusted source for readers seeking reliable recommendations on the latest tech products.
Need-to-knows Apple has been watching the foldable phone market from the sidelines for years. Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Motorola — they’ve all had a crack at it. Some might argue that was a smart call considering how much research and development went into perfecting the form factor, but that’s about to change. Now, all the signs point to 2026 being the year Apple actually does it. We’ve had years of false starts. Foldable iPhone rumours go as far back as 2018, with confident predictions of a 2020 launch that obviously never materialised. But we’re at the point where dummy models are…
Need-to-knows I’ve been writing about tech for about four years now, and in that time I’ve never tried a device from reMarkable despite being very intrigued. Thankfully, that has now changed (as you might have guessed). If you don’t know already, reMarkable specialises in making e-ink tablets (like a Kindle) that try to recreate the feel of writing on paper. Already you might have concluded that this is a pretty niche market. And it is, but one that is still worth addressing; note-taking on conventional tablets is imprecise and unsatisfying thanks to the slippy glass. The reMarkable Paper Pro Move…
Need-to-knows I used to be a Windows user. I never really understood the world of Apple until switching about four years ago. But now I’m fully locked into that ecosystem and these days, whenever I use a Windows laptop, I feel comforted that I made the right call. I honestly couldn’t envision a scenario where the hardware and software would marry well enough to ever make me like a Windows machine again. Until the Asus Zenbook Duo landed on my desk and that all changed. My week with this laptop has been so interesting to the point that I’m genuinely…
Need-to-knows Amazon has announced the UK launch of Alexa+, a next-generation version of its voice assistant that introduces an updated language model, region-specific conversations and the ability to carry out more advanced, daisy-chained commands. Alexa+ was released first in the USA on 4th February 2026, but now it’s on UK shores for the first time with an added ‘Bri’ish’ twang, plus the promise to deliver Alexa+ in browser form soon. A new AI model at the core At the heart of Alexa+ is a more advanced generative AI model designed to make interactions more natural and context-aware. More: MacBook Neo…
Need-to-knows For those of you who want to buy an iPad with an M-series chip, there are two options at the time of writing: the M4 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro. If you’re trying to choose between the two, then you’ve made your way to the right place! Making a decision might seem a bit complicated at first glance, but there is actually a very easy way to find out the right iPad for you. The M4 iPad Air is a powerful, flexible device that looks a lot like the iPad Pro on paper. Meanwhile, the M5 iPad Pro…
Need-to-knows Let’s keep this article as simple as it can possibly be. The jump from the M3 iPad Air to the M4 iPad Air is…well…subtle. Very subtle. On paper, the newer model is technically the better device. It has a newer chip, more memory, faster connectivity, and a few other small tweaks. But does this translate into any truly significant difference in the real-world? Here are the main differences between the M4 iPad Air and the M3 iPad Air, and a recommendation about which one to buy. At a glance SpecM4 iPad AirM3 iPad AirChipApple M4Apple M3CPU8-core CPU (3 performance…
Need-to-knows Apple’s MacBook Air updates have become a bit like meeting an old friend at the pub after a few years apart. You wonder before you see them if they’ll be the same as before, if their personality, sense of humour or appearance has changed. Then they turn up, and it’s the same as it’s always been, apart from the fact that they’re sporting a fetching new jacket. That’s pretty much the story with the M5 MacBook Air compared to the M4 MacBook Air. On paper, Apple has updated quite a lot: a new chip, faster wireless, a handful of…
Need-to-knows Apple has introduced something it hasn’t offered in a very long time: a genuinely budget MacBook. Yes, the MacBook Air has always been Apple’s ‘budget’ option, but the price has now crept up above $1000. The MacBook Neo starts at $599, making it the cheapest MacBook Apple has ever released. Obviously, to make this happen, the MacBook Neo makes some compromises. Instead of using an M-series chip, the Neo runs on the A18 Pro, the same class of processor found in iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. This is not a MacBook Air replacement, the Neo sits below…
Apple has updated its mid-tier iPad lineup with the M4 iPad Air. The iPad Air blends some pro features whilst keeping the price point lower than iPad Pro by making compromises elsewhere. On the whole, the iPad Air is often the best choice of iPad for most people and offers excellent value. Not a great deal has changed since the M3 iPad Air, but there are some new features that you should be aware of. Here’s the full picture! At a glance SpecM4 iPad AirSizes11-inch / 13-inchColoursBlue, Purple, Starlight, Space GreyStorage128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TBChipM4 (8-core CPU, 9-core…