March 3, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17e Buyer’s Guide: Every Upgrade That Matters

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Looks like Apple’s “affordable iPhone” is now a yearly habit, and the iPhone 16e vs 17e decision is basically: do you want MagSafe and more storage, or do you want to save cash on a still-solid phone?

The iPhone 16e brought the modern basics (full-screen design, Face ID, USB-C, 48MP camera) into the budget lane. The new iPhone 17e keeps the same vibe, but upgrades the bits you’ll notice every day: charging, storage, durability, and silicon.

Quick take: If you use wireless charging (or want magnetic car mounts, wallets, and snap-on accessories), the 17e is the easy pick. If you’re buying outright and see a chunky discount on the 16e, that’s when the older model becomes tempting.

Published by Stiv in Apple, Buying Guides, Reviews, Tech News, Technology lover

Tags: A19, apple, buying guide, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e, iPhone comparison, MagSafe, uk deals, wireless charging

March 2, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Rose Wylie at the Royal Academy Review: A Look at the London Exhibition

By Tristan · Arts, exhibitions and creative culture

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

The Rose Wylie Royal Academy exhibition places one of Britain’s most distinctive painters within the formal context of Burlington House. Rather than framing Wylie as an outsider voice, the exhibition situates her practice within a lineage of British painting that values scale, gesture and visual directness. The result is not a retrospective spectacle but a measured presentation that clarifies the structural intelligence beneath her deliberately awkward surface language.

As with other focused RA exhibitions, the strength of the show lies in pacing. The galleries unfold in a steady sequence, allowing Wylie’s visual vocabulary to accumulate gradually.

Published by Tristan in Art Lovers, Artists, Reviews, Travel lover

Tags: Art editions, Burlington House, Contemporary art, Exhibition review, London exhibitions, Painting, RA London, RA shop, Rose Wylie, Royal Academy

March 1, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Can You Leave Octopus Energy Anytime? Exit Fees, Switching Rules, and What Happens Next

Last updated: 29 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Yes, in most cases you can leave Octopus anytime. However, the answer depends on which tariff you're on. If you're on a flexible (variable) tariff, there are typically no exit fees. If you're on a fixed tariff, things have changed recently. Since early March 2026, Octopus has reintroduced exit fees of up to £75 per fuel on new fixed deals. So the short answer is still yes, but the cost of leaving depends on your contract.

Quick summary

Flexible Octopus (variable): no lock-in, no exit fees.
Fixed tariffs (signed before March 2026): usually no exit fees, unless your specific deal included them.
Fixed tariffs (signed from March 2026): exit fees of up to £75 per fuel now apply on new contracts.
Cooling-off period: you get 14 days to cancel a new energy contract.
Switching speed: around 5 working days once confirmed.

If you're switching to Octopus rather than away, you can check the current sign-up credit here: Octopus Energy referral guide.

Switching to Octopus instead?

The live sign-up credit and how to claim it are tracked on our Octopus referral page.

View the Octopus sign-up credit

Published by Stiv in Reviews, Services

Tags: energy bills, exit fees, octopus energy, Ofgem, price cap, switching energy, UK utilities

February 17, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Google Pixel Watch 4 review (UK): gorgeous, clever, and very “pick a side”

Last updated: 17 February 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Quick summary: This Pixel Watch 4 review explains who it’s for (Android people), who it’s not for (iPhone people), and what’s actually improved.

Price check: UK prices tend to float between £279 (41mm WiFi) and £449 (LTE), depending on colour, strap, and retailer.

Check the Pixel Watch 4 41mm WiFi price
Check the Pixel Watch 4 LTE price

If you’re eyeing the Pixel Watch 4, here’s the truth: it’s not a neutral little timepiece. It’s an Android companion device with opinions. Pair it with an Android phone and it’s brilliant. Pair it with an iPhone and it’s basically a lovely, expensive reminder that tech companies enjoy building walled gardens.

Published by Stiv in Android apps, Reviews, Technology lover, Watch lovers

Tags: Android smartwatch, Fitbit, gadgets, Gemini, Google Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 4, smartwatch review, UK tech, Wear OS

February 15, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Zopa Biscuit vs Chase cashback, interest, fees & referral bonuses

Last updated: 9 June 2026

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Want a sign-up bonus while you decide?

Chase pays a £50 refer-a-friend bonus when you join and pay in £1,000 within 30 days; the full claim steps are on our referral page.

Get the Chase £50 bonus

If you're comparing Zopa Biscuit vs Chase, you're in good company. Both are free, app-only UK bank accounts with cashback, savings perks and sign-up bonuses. However, they're built for slightly different people. This guide breaks down cashback, interest rates, fees, FSCS protection, referral offers and app experience so you can pick the right one (or grab both).

Published by Stiv in Android apps, Apple apps, Apps, Finance, Investing, Reviews, Services, UK Made

Tags: bank referrals, cashback banking, chase uk, digital banks, lloyds referral, monzo comparison, UK Current Accounts, Zopa Biscuit

February 8, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Mobbin review: is it worth it?

Last updated: 27 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Cool Factor: 4/5

This Mobbin review answers the one question most designers have before paying: is Mobbin actually worth it, or is it just a shinier version of screenshots in a folder? After months of daily use across real client work and personal projects, we can say it earns its keep. However, it is not for everyone, and the free tier has clear limits. Read on for the full verdict.

Want the Mobbin promo code?

Our referral page keeps the current discount and the cheapest sign-up route up to date.

Get the Mobbin promo code

Published by Stiv in Designers, Discount, Reviews

Tags: app flows, design patterns, design research, mobbin review, product design, ui inspiration, ui references, ux design tools

February 5, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Is Sprive Safe? UK Security, FCA Status and Your Money (2026)

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I've had Sprive connected to my Nationwide bank account and mortgage since October 2021. Everything in this guide is informed by over four years of using the app with my own money.

Connecting a new app to your bank account and mortgage feels risky. I had the same reaction the first time I looked at Sprive: "wait, you want access to my bank so you can pay off my mortgage faster?" It sounded clever but also slightly terrifying. So before trusting it with my own accounts, I did a proper deep-dive into whether Sprive is safe, covering everything from FCA regulation and Open Banking security to how your money is actually held. Here's what I found.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not give financial advice.

Already convinced and just want the bonus?

The live Sprive sign-up offer and the claiming steps are on our referral page.

See the current Sprive offer

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Reviews, Saving, Services

Tags: best mortgage apps UK, How does Sprive make money, How does Sprive work, Is Sprive legit, Is Sprive safe, mortgage overpayment app, Open Banking apps UK, pay off mortgage faster, Sprive app, Sprive app review UK, Sprive cashback, Sprive FCA, sprive referral code, Sprive review, Sprive vs standing order, UK fintech review

February 2, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Lightyear review UK (2026): honest pros, cons and fees

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an independent opinion piece based on my own testing of the Lightyear app and current market research. Views expressed are my own and do not constitute professional or financial advice.

Cool Factor: 4/5 (Stone cold)

In this independent Lightyear review UK, I take a proper look at one of the most talked-about investing apps in Britain right now. Lightyear has spent the past year cutting costs hard, so UK personal accounts now get free share and ETF dealing and a flat 0.1% FX fee. As a result, it sits firmly among the cheapest platforms available to UK investors today.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Want the Lightyear sign-up offer?

The current new-customer offer and full terms are always kept up to date on our Lightyear referral page.

See the latest Lightyear offer

Throughout this Lightyear review UK, I cover what Lightyear is, what you can invest in, fees, ISAs, Vaults, pros and cons, and how it compares to Freetrade, Trading 212, AJ Bell Dodl, Moneybox and Finimize. So, if you want a no-nonsense view before opening an account, read on. If you only want the sign-up offer and terms, head to our Lightyear referral page instead.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Investing, Reviews, Saving, Services, UK Made

Tags: cash ISA, ETF investing, Freetrade alternative, FX fees, Investing apps UK, investing for beginners, Lightyear, lightyear review, money market funds, stocks and shares isa, Vaults

February 1, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

New AirTag Review UK: AirTag 2 vs Gen 1 Compared

Last updated: 27 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Cool Factor: 4/5

If you're looking for a new AirTag review, here's the short version: Apple's 2nd generation AirTag is louder, tracks from further away, and costs the same as before. It's a genuinely useful upgrade, especially for travellers. However, for many people who mostly lose things around the house, a discounted Gen 1 pack still makes plenty of sense. So which one should you actually buy? Let's break it down.

Published by Stiv in Apple, Apple apps, Reviews, Tech News, Technology lover, Travel lover

Tags: AirTag, AirTag 2, Amazon deals, apple, Apple Watch, Find My, gadgets, key finder, luggage tracker, UK tech

January 27, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Vegan Meal Kits UK 2026: Honest Comparison

Last updated: 26 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Best Vegan Meal Kits in the UK

Finding the best vegan meal kits in the UK takes more effort than it should. Prices shift, vegan credentials are often vague, and some boxes demand far more time than you expect. This guide compares the main UK options honestly, covering cost, taste, convenience and ethics so you can pick the right one.

This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our editorial independence.

Published by Stiv in Carbon conscious, Discount, Foodie, Reviews, Self-care Champion, Services, UK Made

Tags: Grubby review, meal kit comparison, plant based eating, vegan food delivery UK, vegan meal kits