Pocket-lint Daily - iPhone USB-C scare & ROG Phone 7 excites

All the tech daily! By Chris Hall | Friday February 10 2023 - If you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Instagram]( [Website](  Apple could offer hamstrung USB-C on the iPhone 15 POCKET-LINT What's happened? Apple might add USB-C to the iPhone 15, but [could include a Lightning authenticator chip](. Why does it matter? It might therefore be limited to supporting only official accessories. What's my take? This report should ring alarm bells, but we wouldn't be surprised if it happened. Apple's reluctance to move on from Lightning is often put down the legacy value of MFi - Made for iPhone. Under that licensing scheme, accessories needed an official stamp of approval otherwise they wouldn't work - that's both lucrative for Apple, while being generally restrictive for users. Applying the same logic to USB-C on iPhone might mean you can't just use any USB-C accessory. In the worst case, it might mean you can't just use any charger you might already have - with the hope being that you go and buy a new certified accessory instead. It's just a rumour at this stage, and we hope it never gets any further than that. We all have a load of USB-C chargers already, we don't need to introduce more into circulation - and ultimately generate more electrical waste - because of an authentication chip.  Asus ROG Phone 7 specs, launch window, and more leaked POCKET-LINT What's happened? The next [Asus ROG phone]( has started to leak ahead of release and if correct, it gives us an idea of what specifications we can expect from the gamer-focused device. Why does it matter? A leak suggests there will be an Asus ROG Phone 7, Phone 7D, and Phone 7 Ultimate and that they're all expected to be announced in the third quarter of 2023. What's my take? We're in peak phone launch season and much of the excitement is directed at big brands right now. But the ROG Phone 6 Pro was one of our favourite devices of 2022 - and the ROG Phone 7 will likely continue the trend. The thing about this device is that it's purportedly for gaming, but there's so much about it that works as a daily driver. Sure, the camera won't be class leading, but pretty much everything else will be - including a sense of style in the packaging and the accessories that make it stand out. Not to mention value for money of course, because typically the ROG Phone undercuts flagship devices by a good margin while offering the same or better core performance. If you spend a lot of time gaming, then you should seriously consider what these phones can offer.  Vivo X90 Pro review: Setting a new standard in mobile photography POCKET-LINT What's happened? Vivo's photography-focused flagship is finally making its way overseas after launching in China in November last year. In Europe, we're only getting access to the Vivo X90 Pro, which sits in the middle of the X90 lineup, beneath the China-exclusive X90 Pro+. However, the defining feature, Sony's 1-inch sensor-touting IMX989 camera module with Zeiss optics, is present here - meaning it could be one of the most impressive smartphone cameras ever to grace our desks. Our quick verdict The Vivo X90 Pro is an excellent phone in almost every aspect, but the camera system shines above all else. If you're into mobile photography, this is an option that shouldn't be ignored. [Read our review.](  In Case You Missed it [DJI Mini 2 SE]( added to palm-sized drone range --- [Apple Mac tips and tricks](: 31 things you really should know --- The [Google Pixel 6a is back down to $299]( - a 33% saving on this great phone. It offers flagship-grade performance with a great camera. It's a steal.  From The Gear Loop ASICS Now faster and more comfortable, the Asics Magic Speed 2 is a solid race day shoe that can be used everyday. [Read our full review.](  And finally... POCKET-LINT We’ve exhaustively tested a wide range of headsets with our Xbox consoles, and [here are the best ones](.  Have you checked out our weekly podcast that comes out every Friday? It's packed with news, interviews, and top things to get. You can subscribe to the Pocket-lint Podcast via [iTunes]( and [Spotify](,  or access it on the web via [Acast](. The Pocket-lint Podcast takes a look at the announcements made during the OnePlus event, and chats with Peloton instructor, Sam Yo. [Listen to the latest episode today.]( Thanks for reading - if you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [The Trust Project] [Why you can trust Pocket-lint]( You are subscribed to this email as {EMAIL}. Click here to modify your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe](.