NuPhy Air96v2 Low-Profile Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
Reloaded. Rewired. Reinvented.
Sep 5th 2021 marks the date when the low-profile mechanical keyboard was forever changed by the release of NuPhy Air96. Fast forward 2 years, we are excited to share that a new Air96 with lightning fast connection and light weight, one not just built for you, but also put you in charge, is now ready.
Bask in the fresh Air
Less is more’ has been our mantra when it comes to designing, yet it demands us to make each change made to evolve our designs count. While the top frame of Air96 retains its minimalistic look (with the exception of one more color choice-Basalt Black), the bottom case has gone through fundamental yet subtle changes. Thanks to the improved laser texturing process, the bottom case is now both more transparent and finer textured, rendering the interiors of Air96 clearly visible, and play into its overall aesthetics.
Inside Out. From the PCB to the battery, the internal components are colored to match your keyboard’s color theme, which together with the now wavy, ‘Ionic’ bottom furrows give off a layered, nuanced vibe. To top it off the light bars glasses are plated with thin layers of metal to enhance both its consistency with the overall look and durability.
Desktop experience with or without the desk.
Desktop, laptop, or mountain top...the agility of our V3 stands, paired with Air96's great portability, give their users great liberties in choosing the place and style to work play.
WIRELESS PERFORMANCE Polling way ahead in the 1000Hz race
Can thin light go with extreme keyboard wireless performance and low latency? Tradition says no, but on Air96, our tradition is to challenge the limits of the 'yes' space. After supporting 4 devices simultaneously for the first time, we have made a huge leap in wireless performance by unlocking 1000Hz polling rate 2.4G connection. Through state of the art chips and attention to details that facilitate radio wave propagation, we have put the new Air96 in the ranks of 1000 Hz pro-gaming keyboards in 2.4G speed, as well as endurance with a 60% larger 4000 mAh battery. Air96's wireless experience has been elevated so much, that it is difficult to tell from a wired one.
Success in circuit lies. A 1000Hz polling rate may be eye-catching, yet actual latency depends on factors including MCU’s matrix scan rate, processing and debounce time, the wireless cache size etc. Never content with half measures, we support Nordic's state of the art NRF52810 SoC with STM32F072 MCU's high performance, and use an elaborate testing procedure to ensure minimized total trip delay.
Truth by numbers told. We did some benchmarks on the new Air96’s latency performance, against its predecessor and another QMK-based keyboard. Suffice to say, we are both blown away by the results and happy to end the myth that low profile keyboards are unfit for professional gaming and low latency applications, once and for all.
FIRMWARE Create keybindings without bounds,
transform layouts VIA layers.
As much as we pride ourselves in building innovations and our own ideas into our products, we will have to make an exception for firmwares: starting with Air96 V2, all Airs will be shipped with QMK/VIA. We believe with the full realization of our hardwares' potential under the new firmware, its open source code, the endless key remapping, light customization and other creative possibilities VIA offers our users, the fun has truly started!
SYSTEM Better OS/laptop compatibilities
Our OS-supporting and nativization effort evolves to adapt to the conditions of a QMK-based platform. The dedicated 'Spotlight', 'Dictation', and 'Launchpad' shortcuts available in the newest MacOS are now implemented through QMK, and the F-keys replacement keycaps, debuted on Air96, have also came to Air96. We will continue to find more ways, and shortcuts, including building new hardwares, to bring extra values to our users on the software side.
Best MacBook/laptop partner. The better 'footwork' of Airfeet V3 has allowed Air96 to be mounted between rows of keys, and therefore on top of the majority of laptops, including the full lineup of MacBooks.
KEYCAPS A double-shot keycap at half the thickness
Double-shot PBT keycaps are finally coming to Air96! With crisper texts, more vibrant colors, and record-beating thinness, you are bound to find it a lot more fun when styling your beloved Air with our extensive selection of double-shot keycap themes.
SOUND | Invisible but audible
Structure-borne sound engineering, increasingly recognized as vital to overall keyboard sound performance, is still almost unused among low profile keyboards outside of our Air96. The new Air96 built upon our successful implementation of plate poron hollow-sound absorption and IXPE PCB sound purification solution on Air96, while optimizing them for a smaller form factor, leading to an overall improvement in sound concentration and purity for switches. Additional attention is given to tune the spacebar in harmony with the rest of the keys, using silicone sound shaping tech derived from our acclaimed GhostBar.
NUPHY SWITCHES | More ingredients in the switch’s brew
Our floral lineup of low-profile switches have been met with growing enthusiasm since their launch with Air96, and we have been busy experimenting with the secret recipe of ultra-long travel, high-precision mold, and pre-lubing, looking for ways to perfect it and give you more flavours. Taking a page from Gateron’s Baby Kangaroo, Moss is the first early bump tactile switch for low profile keyboards. If an extra spicy typing feel is your thing, Moss with its 16.5mm spring and only 0.6mm of bump distance shouldn’t be missed. Another change in the lineup is the revamped Daisy, now called Cowberry, whose pre-travel has been shortened to 1.2mm to enable rapid firing rate for gaming and all the non-gaming purposes that need it.
HOT-SWAPPABLE | Switch. Swap. Swagger.
Each Air96 keyboard is hot-swappable, allowing you to easily replace or upgrade your switches without soldering and to enjoy a different typing experience free of restriction.
We also offer four bonus mechanical switches in the package. This enables different typing experiences as well as easy replacement of a damaged switch.
Light | Flowing backlight and sidelight
Inspired by the early MacBook battery indicator which was hidden inside the case when inactive, we added two RGB light bars on each side of the Air96 aluminum frame. The left sidelight shows the caps lock and connection mode, while the right sidelight bar indicates the battery level and system mode. When you activate the gradient light effect, the sidelights will illuminate your keyboard with an arresting glow.
The VIA clients and configuration page available on multiple OSes, can be used to create a near infinity of personalized lighting and color effects, maximizing Air96's RGB potential. To configure your Air96 with the official VIA configurator please follow the instructions here.
ACCESSORIES | Comfort at the desk or on the go
All NuPhy keyboards are supported with a variety of accessories that are continuously upgraded. NuFolio, the most venerable member of NuPhy accessories, has received its V3 update which boasts two magnets for stronger attachment and an optimized stand tilting angle, as well as a new member in the family, the NuPack! Made out of Tyvek paper, NuPack is our next generation keyboard carrying case focused on simplicity and versatility, you can use it as a sleeve bag, or carry it on your back with the complimentary straps. Its splash-resistant design and YKK zipper makes it also ideal for storing & carrying items other than the keyboard. Not to be left out is the Mono Wrist Rest, with two more choices of hardwood, walnut and black-dyed white oak, ready to pamper your wrists and eyes with the elegant, poshy hardwood feel.