Key Takeaways
1. The Photon keyboard will now be available as an in-stock item instead of a group buy, launching at $99 with a $5 discount.
2. It features impressive battery life, estimated at six months (4,000 hours) with RGB lighting off, using ZMK firmware for wireless efficiency.
3. The keyboard includes a navigation column with four keys, and an optional knob module can be added for $17.
4. Users can customize the keyboard with different materials and colors, including four translucent polycarbonate options.
5. The Photon is hot-swappable and wireless by default, with an optional complete kit available for $166.28.
CannonKeys has revealed that the Photon keyboard group buy, initially set for early 2025, will now be available as an in-stock item. This vibrant and fun 65% keyboard will feature a $5 discount at launch, lowering the price of the barebones kit to just $99. The Photon adopts a classic compact 65% layout and incorporates a gasket mount design for a more comfortable typing experience. However, it distinguishes itself from the many standard 65% keyboards on the market with its unique and eye-catching aesthetics.
Impressive Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Photon is its impressive battery life. Similar to the CannonKeys BakenekoGO, this keyboard utilizes ZMK firmware, which is optimized for wireless keyboards and offers extensive customization options, including ModTap, Tap Dance, and onboard macros via ZMK Studio. Thanks to the efficient firmware, CannonKeys asserts that the Photon’s 1,500 mAh battery can provide roughly six months of usage, or 4,000 hours, with the RGB lighting turned off.
Comparisons to Other Keyboards
To put this into perspective, the longest battery life recorded in recent keyboard tests was about 580 hours with the Epomaker Galaxy100. Other models, such as the Keychron K15 Max, manage around 140 hours on Bluetooth in our evaluations. Therefore, if CannonKeys’s claims are at all accurate, the Photon should be excellent for wireless users, provided they can handle the standard low polling rates that come with typical Bluetooth connections.
Enhanced Navigation Features
A thoughtful aspect of the Photon is its navigation keys, which are not overly compromised. The navigation column on the right side of the keyboard includes four keys, contrasting with the common three-key setups found in many modern compact layouts. Additionally, the middle key in that right column can be swapped out for an optional knob module, available for $17 from CannonKeys.
Customization Options
There are also various extras that users can explore, such as alternative materials for the stock colour-matched PC plate (including aluminium, FR4, and carbon fibre), along with different PC plates for creative colour combinations. The Photon is offered in four translucent polycarbonate colors: Teal, Coral, Frosted (white), and Smoke. The keyboard kit comes hot-swappable and wireless by default but does include a USB-C cable for charging and wired functionality. You can also purchase it with optional switches, a basic stabilizer, and a keycap set for a total of $166.28.
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