Articles by Marcus Bell

Buying Guides Writer

Marcus tests the gear that promises the most for the least. If a product claims a number, he measures it, cycles it, and reports back honestly.

A smartphone beside a black leather notebook and pen on a dark walnut desk

Volt Power

Mid-Range Phones Are Great Now. Here's What You Still Give Up

The $500 bracket got scary good this year. But after living with four of the best mid-rangers, the compromises are real — and easy to miss on a spec sheet.

By Marcus Bell · 8 min read

A slim aluminium power bank with glowing LED indicators on dark oak

Charge Up

The Power Bank Test: Which Ones Keep Their Capacity After a Year?

Advertised capacity and delivered capacity are different numbers. We cycled twelve power banks 300 times to see which ones stayed honest.

By Marcus Bell · 9 min read

A phone charging on a desk at night, its screen showing a charging graph plateau

Charge Up

Why Your Phone Stops Charging at 80% — and When to Worry

Usually nothing is broken: your phone is protecting the battery from overnight aging or heat. The five-minute test that separates a feature from a failing cell.

By Marcus Bell · 7 min read

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