I broke the LPC firmware micro-usb port on my Reform mainboard, and I was not able to repair it. I would like to get the RK3588 module, which I assume will require to flash the firmware.
Are the MNT Reform Steel Port Covers + MNT Reform Mainboard 3.0 + MNT Reform RCORE V2 with RK3588 components all I need from Crowd Supply to upgrade? It amounts to $1,338.00 while the Reform Next is $1,249.00. I will miss the trackball, but the Next seems like a better deal, curiously?
Oh dang! 
Which mainboard version is that? Since you mention micro-usb I assume it’s not 3.0 and then it should not be tooooo difficult to solder some magnet-wire to the right spots on the board for emergency flashing purposes, should that ever be required.
No, you can upgrade to RCORE without upgrading the LPC firmware.
Thank you for your response. My machine shipped in May 2022, i assume it is the first (1.0?) revision. I would not trust myself with soldering after my attempt at fixing the usb port 
this was way harder than I thought.
The Next is a better deal for a while still because we presold a bunch of inventory to Crowd Supply at the time of the campaign, when hardware prices were much better than now during the RAM/flash crisis.