Nuphy Air96v2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
Bathed in fresh air
"Less is more" has always been our motto for design, but it has demanded that we make every change to evolve our design. While the Air96's top frame retains its minimalist look (apart from multiple color options for black), the bottom case has undergone fundamental yet subtle changes. Thanks to an improved laser texture process, the bottom case is now more transparent and finely textured, making the Air96's interior visible and playing to its overall aesthetic.
Reversed. From the PCB to the battery, the internal components are color-matched to the keyboard's color theme, and with the new wavy "Ionic" bottom groove, it exudes a layered, nuanced vibe. On top of that, the light bar glasses are coated with a thin metallic layer to enhance their consistency and durability with the overall look.
Desktop experience with or without a desk. The flexibility of our V3 stand, combined with the excellent portability of the Air96, gives users the freedom to choose where and how they want to use their work and office.
Ahead in the 1000Hz race
Can thinness be combined with extreme keyboard wireless performance and low latency? Tradition says no, but at Air96, our tradition is to push the boundaries of "yes." After first supporting 4 devices simultaneously, we made a huge leap in wireless performance by unlocking a 1000Hz polling rate 2.4G connection. With state-of-the-art chips and attention to detail that promotes radio wave propagation, we've positioned the new Air96 among professional gaming keyboards with 1000 Hz 2.4G speed and 60% more durability than a 4000 mAh battery. The Air96's wireless experience is so enhanced that it's hard to distinguish it from a wired experience.
The success of the circuit lies in. A 1000Hz polling rate may be eye-catching, but the actual latency depends on factors such as the MCU's matrix scanning rate, processing and debouncing time, and wireless cache size. Never content with halfway measures, we support Nordic's state-of-the-art NRF52810 SoC with the high performance of the STM32F072 MCU, and use meticulously designed test procedures to ensure minimized end-to-end latency.
The numbers tell the truth. We ran some benchmarks on the new Air96's latency performance against its predecessor and another QMK-based keyboard. Suffice it to say, we were all stunned by the results and are thrilled to put to rest once and for all the myth that low-profile keyboards are not suitable for professional gaming and low-latency applications.
Connection speed comparison
Latency testing was performed using a CMSIS-DAP compliant hardware debugging unit, by measuring the time difference between the Enter key switch closing and the key event registering on the PC, and subtracting the inherent latency of the instrument (provided by the manufacturer) from the measurement. The test results do not account for the pre-travel latency of the key switch, which varies among different types of switches, as the switch circuit is electronically closed during testing.
FIRMWARE
Create boundless key bindings, transform layouts with VIA layers.
While we pride ourselves on incorporating innovation and ideas into our products, we had to make an exception for firmware: starting with Air96 V2, all Air keyboards will come with QMK/VIA. We believe that with the new firmware, open-source code, endless key remapping, lighting customization, and other creative possibilities that VIA offers users, the full potential of our hardware is unleashed, and the fun truly begins!
Mac, Windows, Linux... you name it. VIA's key remapping and macros work seamlessly across all major desktop platforms or any browser-supported platform, making it easier to customize your Air96 to your liking.
The virtual side of a physical switch. The Win/Mac mode switch, an integral part of all NuPhy keyboards since the original Air96, is now fully integrated with VIA's layers, making it more scalable and customizable, with the same convenience.
SYSTEM
Better OS/laptop compatibility
Our OS support and localization efforts are constantly evolving to accommodate the conditions of QMK-based platforms. The dedicated "Spotlight," "Dictation," and "Launchpad" shortcuts available in the latest MacOS are now implemented via QMK, and the F-key replacement keycaps, which debuted on the Air96, have also appeared on the Air75. We will continue to find more ways and shortcuts, including creating new hardware, to bring additional value to our users in terms of software.
KEYCAPS
Double-shot keycaps half the thickness
The Air96 finally gets double-shot PBT keycaps! With sharper legends, more vibrant colors, and record-breaking thinness, you're sure to have even more fun styling your beloved Air with our extensive range of double-shot keycap themes.
Dye it up a notch. If you care about both aesthetics and thickness, you'll love our Dye-sub keycap collection, which, in addition to excellent acoustics, boasts a lasting legendary look thanks to the dye-sublimation process.
Put the backlight in front. Our new low-profile translucent keycap set is now available, ready for you to enjoy in a dark room, with a hot cup of coffee, or perhaps when some fierce monsters are coming at you.
SOUND
Unseen but heard
Structural acoustic engineering is increasingly recognized as critical to overall keyboard sound performance, yet it remains largely unused in low-profile keyboards outside of the Air96. The new Air96 V2 builds on our successful implementation of board-mounted partially hollow sound absorption and IXPE PCB sound purification solutions in the Air96, while optimizing for a smaller form factor, thereby comprehensively improving the sound focus and purity of the switches. Special attention was also paid to tuning the spacebar's coordination with the rest of the keys, using silicone sound shaping technology derived from our acclaimed GhostBar.
NUPHY SWITCHES
Switches brewed with more ingredients
Our low-profile switch floral series has been met with increasing enthusiasm since the Air96 was launched, and we've been busy trying super-long travel, high-precision molds and pre-lubrication's secret sauce, looking for ways to perfect it and give you more flavor. Moss, drawing inspiration from Gateron's Baby Kangaroo design, is the first early-bump tactile switch for low-profile keyboards. If you're into a super exciting typing feel, then Moss with its 16.5mm spring and only 0.6mm bump distance should not be missed. Another variation in the series is the revamped Daisy, now called Cowberry, whose pre-travel has been shortened to 1.2mm for rapid-fire speed in gaming and all non-gaming purposes that need it.
Aloe (Linear, 37gf)
Pre-travel: 1.7±0.4mm / Total Travel: 3.0±0.2mm
Operating Force: 37±15gf
Stem: POM / Top: PC / Bottom: PA66
Spring: 18mm double stage
Factory Lubricated / Long pole stem
GATERON SWITCHES
THE NOT-SO-USUAL USUALS
If you'd like to stick with your trusted red, blue or brown friends, good news here too. The veteran Gateron switches are all upgraded in the new 2.0 version with 3.2mm travel, high precision molds, and enhanced pre-lubrication for better tactile response and smoothness. The appearance also gets a slight revision to make it more symbolic: the bottom casing now shows the true color of its PA66 material, instead of being painted black.
