Tag: NuPhy

  • NuPhy Kick75 Launches: Affordable, Customizable Retro Gaming Keyboard

    NuPhy Kick75 Launches: Affordable, Customizable Retro Gaming Keyboard

    Key Takeaways

    1. The NuPhy Kick75 is a hybrid-profile mechanical keyboard that supports both low-profile and full-height mechanical switches.
    2. It is available in four versions, with different firmware options (NuPhyIO and QMK/VIA), and prices ranging from $89.99 to $119.99.
    3. The keyboard offers four switch types: Red, Brown, Silver, and Blush, and comes with either nSA low-profile or mSA full-height keycaps.
    4. The Kick75 features an innovative PCB gasket mount design, allowing easy switching between profiles with minimal hardware changes.
    5. A cost-effective profile swap kit is available for $19, consisting of a taller top case and thicker foam, making it accessible for users to experiment with both profiles.

    NuPhy has officially opened pre-orders for the NuPhy Kick75 after teasing its new “hybrid-profile” mechanical keyboard for several weeks. A standout feature of the Kick75 is its ability to work with both low-profile and full-height mechanical switches.

    New Insights on Switching Modes

    Although earlier information about how to switch between low-profile and full-height modes was vague, the updated product page now clarifies how this process will function and what potential buyers need to consider. However, there are still some puzzling elements, such as NuPhy’s decision to offer two different firmware options for the keyboard.

    Kick75 Low, NuPhyIO: $89.99
    Kick75 Low, QMK/VIA: $109.99
    Kick75 High, NuPhyIO: $99.99
    Kick75 High, QMK/VIA: $119.99

    The Kick75 is available in four versions without extra accessories or customization. Customers can choose from either low- or high-profile kits, and NuPhy also provides the Kick75 with either QMK/VIA firmware or its proprietary NuPhyIO firmware, with the latter being priced lower for some unknown reason.

    Switch Options and Keycaps

    NuPhy has made the Kick75 available with four different switch types: Red (linear), Brown (light tactile), Silver (tactile), and Blush (long-travel linear). The keyboard comes equipped with either nSA low-profile keycaps featuring concave tops and green highlights or mSA full-height keycaps, which are a variation of the popular SA profile but with slightly reduced key heights.

    In addition to its unique look and design, the NuPhy Kick75 boasts a 4,000 mAh battery for the QMK version and a 2,500 mAh battery for the NuPhyIO version. NuPhy claims that this will deliver 294 hours of battery life with the RGB backlighting turned off and 60 hours with the backlighting on. The Kick75 supports both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connections, along with a USB Type-C port. However, it’s not clear if NuPhy is providing battery life estimates for Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz.

    Innovative Design Features

    When the Kick75 was first revealed by NuPhy, the specifics of the switching mechanism were not clear. Initially, only an alternative top case, switches, and some internal components were shown as needing to be changed. However, the pre-order page now offers further insights into how the innovative hybrid design works. It appears that the Kick75 utilizes a PCB gasket mount, allowing only the plate foam and top case to be swapped for the switching process. Remarkably, NuPhy has engineered its stock stabilizers to function in both setups, which is quite an achievement.

    This information is intriguing for two reasons. First, it enables NuPhy to provide a switching kit with minimal hardware—just a different top case and foam for placement between the PCB—thereby lowering costs for those wanting to experiment with both profile options. Second, hot-swappable low- and high-profile mechanical switches have distinct plate height requirements. Past efforts to standardize the switch pin layout, which NuPhy attempted with the Nos75, often required different plates, mounts, or entire bottom cases. The transition to a PCB gasket mount helps the Kick75 avoid the plate height issue without needing to replace multiple injection-molded components.

    Cost-Effective Profile Swap Kit

    The profile swap kit for the Kick75 consists of just a taller top case and a thicker foam sheet, allowing NuPhy to offer it at a low price (discounted by 30% to $19 with a pre-order of the Kick75). Buyers will need to purchase additional switches for the alternative profile, but many mechanical keyboard fans likely already own an extra switch set, making it feasible to buy a Low Kick75 and a swap kit to achieve their goal.

    It’s also important to mention that the full-height version of the Kick75 supports standard five-pin Cherry MX-style switches, like the Epomaker Wisteria Tactile switches, which can be found on Amazon for around $11.99 for a set of 30. In contrast, the low-profile Kick75 configuration utilizes a new Gateron Nano switch, which shares the same pin arrangement as the full-height switches, making them the only low-profile switches currently compatible with the hybrid-profile keyboard. Therefore, anyone interested in the low-profile switches should likely opt for the Low configuration, as there is uncertainty about the future production of this new switch standard.

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    NuPhy Kick75 Launches: Affordable, Customizable Retro Gaming KeyboardNuPhy Kick75 Launches: Affordable, Customizable Retro Gaming Keyboard

     

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  • NuPhy Kick75 Mechanical Keyboard: $1 Pre-Order, Customization & More

    NuPhy Kick75 Mechanical Keyboard: $1 Pre-Order, Customization & More

    When NuPhy’s Kick75 was introduced last week, details about this new mechanical keyboard were limited. It was known for its eye-catching retro style and the ability to use both low-profile and standard-height mechanical switches. Now, NuPhy has opened the pre-order page for the Kick75, providing us with further insights into what we can expect from this wireless mechanical keyboard.

    Pre-Order Details

    The pre-order page and the Kick75 microsite don’t provide a lot of specifics, but there’s still useful information available. Firstly, the pre-order cost is just $1, while the final price is still unknown and set to be announced on February 18, 2025.

    Design Features

    NuPhy appears to be applying lessons from their previous models, the NuPhy Air60 HE (currently priced at $139.99 on Amazon) and Air75 HE keyboards, to the new Kick75. According to the Kick75 microsite, the low-profile version will feature switches with a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is comparable to some full-height switches, along with a full-POM construction. In theory, this full-POM build should allow the switches to feel smoother over time, though POM isn’t universally praised as a switch material.

    Community Involvement

    NuPhy has also announced that 3D models for the Kick75 will be available, enabling users to 3D print their own accessories. While this isn’t entirely new in the realm of custom mechanical keyboards, it’s somewhat rare for larger manufacturers. This approach could lead to plenty of community-driven enhancements and additions.

    In addition, the Kick75 seems to take inspiration from the Nos75. Rather than employing distinct switch sockets to support both low-profile and standard keycaps, the Kick75 switches will have a unified pin layout. This is beneficial for customization regarding full-height options, but it does limit the selection of low-profile switches that can be used with the Kick75.

    Future Plans

    For now, it remains uncertain how NuPhy intends to market the Kick75. They are asking customers to indicate their preferred variant in a survey after paying the $1 pre-order fee. This suggests that NuPhy is primarily aiming to sell the Kick75 as a pre-configured kit, with optional switches, top cases, and plates available for separate purchase.

    NuPhy is on a mission to make keyboards accessible to everyone, similar to how Odyssey has made gaming more inclusive.

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    NuPhy Kick75 Mechanical Keyboard: $1 Pre-Order, Customization & MoreNuPhy Kick75 Mechanical Keyboard: $1 Pre-Order, Customization & More
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  • NuPhy Kick75: World’s First Hybrid Mechanical Keyboard with Switch Compatibility

    NuPhy Kick75: World’s First Hybrid Mechanical Keyboard with Switch Compatibility

    NuPhy has launched some fascinating keyboards before, including the Air60 HE, which is currently priced at $139.99 on Amazon and proudly holds the title of the first low-profile Hall-effect gaming keyboard in the world. Now, they seem to be introducing another first with the Kick75, a 75% wireless keyboard that comes packed with some cool features.

    Unique Switching Capabilities

    One of the standout features of the Kick75 is its ability to work with both low-profile and full-height mechanical switches, all incorporated into the same PCB and case — mostly, anyway. While NuPhy hasn’t shared too many specifics, a few details can be gathered from the official teaser page for the Kick75.

    To switch between low-profile and full-height modes, it appears that users will need to change out at least the top case. Other components, like the plate or perhaps some plate foams and mounting hardware, will likely need to be swapped too, considering it looks like it employs gaskets. If there are any additional layers, such as PCB foams or films, those might also require replacement.

    Keycap Options

    In a similar vein to the switches, the Kick75 will feature the choice between flat low-profile keycaps or full-height ones. Once again, NuPhy has not confirmed which keycaps will be included, but the ones shown in the teaser images seem to represent nSA for the low-profile setup and mSA for the full-height variant.

    The bottom case of the Kick75 isn’t see-through, but it appears to be made from some kind of plastic. TechPowerUp got a sneak peek at the Kick75 during NuPhy’s CES 2025 booth, revealing some features that NuPhy hadn’t previously disclosed. One notable feature is the kick-out feet, which are essential for low-profile keyboards. Since the Kick75 is made to be customizable, it uses screws to connect the top and bottom cases, and it looks like there are green silicone strips in between the two that could act as both a force-break and a gasket mount for either configuration.

    Purchasing Options

    As of now, it’s uncertain whether NuPhy will offer the Kick75 in just the low-profile or full-height setup or if customers will have the option to buy a hybrid kit that includes mounting hardware, foams, and top cases for both configurations. The latter seems more probable, given how NuPhy has marketed keyboards like the Nos75.

    What is confirmed, however, is that the Kick75 will support both wired and wireless connectivity, operating on 2.4 GHz with a 1,000 Hz polling rate, as well as Bluetooth for longer battery life.

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    NuPhy Kick75: World's First Hybrid Mechanical Keyboard with Switch Compatibility
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