OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro Review: Surprisingly Good

OnePlus doesn’t simply make smartphones anymore and over time, it has experimented and expanded its vary of merchandise. It now has a reasonably large ecosystem of gadgets, which lately additionally noticed the addition of a pill. From an ecosystem viewpoint, it’s only lacking a pc. Adding to this lengthy lineup of smartphones, TVs, screens, smartwatches, audio gear, clothes equipment (which additionally features a fanny pack), is a mechanical keyboard referred to as the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro. OnePlus tied up with the mechanical keyboard specialists at Keychron to design it.

While I’ll clarify intimately as to why this keyboard is a bit completely different, like many others I additionally assumed that it was a rebadged Keychron Q1 Pro. The Q1 Pro is a novel providing because it presents the perfect of two product lineups — a premium full metallic keyboard merged with the benefit and comfort of wi-fi connectivity — giving one the perfect of each worlds. All of Keychron’s Q-series premium lineup was solely provided with a cable till then, which meant that patrons had to decide on between a premium-looking and nice sounding customisable keyboard, versus a plastic-bodied keyboard that is focussed extra on connectivity and customisation.

After utilizing the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro for greater than a month, here is what I consider it.

OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro value in India and field contents

The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro is obtainable in two choices which principally comes right down to the kind of what swap you like. There’s the Winter Bonfire choice which comes with PBT keycaps and tactile switches that oddly have red-coloured stems and is priced at Rs. 17,999. The Summer Breeze choice is priced a bit greater at Rs. 19,999 and comes with a quite distinctive Marble Mallow keycaps (that are presupposed to be versatile) and linear switches with stems which are unusually blue in color. The choice you select is principally the identify of the swap, which is a results of OnePlus’ collaboration with Keychron.

The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro comes with traditional cable, keycap and swap puller together with additional instruments and spares, which is a pleasant contact

The colors chosen for the switches are a bit odd because the crimson color of the Winter Bonfire swap is normally used to suggest silent linear switches, whereas blue color of the Summer Breeze swap is often used to suggest linear however clicky (learn: noisy) switches. Switch makers normally go together with brown for tactile switches. So, watch out what you choose whenever you choose one as the colors are very deceptive and are completely different from the usual color coding for fundamental mechanical switches.

Apart from the standard keycap and swap puller, OnePlus has a high quality braided USB Type-C to Type-C cable which can be utilized to attach the keyboard to your system for a a lot greater 1,000Hz polling price (in contrast 90Hz with wi-fi) and a USB Type-A to Type-C adapter as properly. Also included with the Keyboard 81 Pro is a hex key which matches the screws used on the case. OnePlus additionally throws in just a few additional screws for the stabilisers and 4 additional gasket foam strips as properly, in case they occur to wear down.

OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro design

There isn’t any actual distinction between the 2 keyboard choices relating to beauty design. The solely visible cues are the darker gray keycaps used on the alphanumeric keys, directional keys and a few operate keys on the Winter Bonfire choice, which I obtained for assessment. The Summer Breeze choice inverts the entire theme and makes use of mild gray keys for almost all of the format, leaving the darkish gray keys for the rest.

The color scheme of the keycaps and case are sometimes OnePlus

Yes, I’ll agree that gray, white, and crimson are sometimes OnePlus colors and there is the intense crimson colored keycaps on the escape key (with a OnePlus emblem) and the enter key will remind a lot of OnePlus smartphones. But that is just about the place the OnePlus branding fizzles out as Keychron too sells its Q1 Pro in a really similar-looking Shell White end full with crimson keycaps for the escape and enter keys.

While many could remark that OnePlus may have toned down its branding a bit, those that will find yourself shopping for the Keyboard 81 Pro may find yourself customising it with {custom} keycaps anyhow and the fundamental aluminium (gray) case looks like a good place to begin for a similar. But sure, I really feel OnePlus may have gone with extra contrasting color choices out of the field.

To me, the colors of the keycaps lend the keyboard a little bit of a retro-modern really feel. The customisable acrylic knob on the high proper nook stands out a bit however fortunately, it doesn’t have RGB. There’s a chrome casing which surrounds it and the navigation keys makes it look very distinctive from something that is at present on the market relating to pre-built keyboards.

The Winter Bonfire choice comes with PBT double-shot keycaps

While the wedge-shaped format of the metallic keyboard case is just like the Keychron Q1 Pro with greater overhangs with the highest case on all sides, OnePlus provides a superbly completed chrome fold out stand (with rubber stoppers) which it calls a ‘keyboard holder’ on the again. It provides a basic contact to what’s principally a contemporary wanting keyboard when it comes to its total look and is admittedly helpful for individuals who are on the lookout for that additional incline as it could actually elevate the peak of the keys by an inch. The customary Keychron Q1 Pro doesn’t have this function. OnePlus calls it a keyboard holder as a result of it lets the Keyboard 81 Pro get up on its high edge serving to declutter an workplace or work desk whenever you want that additional area.

The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro presents a correct 75 p.c format, so it’s a large keyboard total. However, given the bigger overhangs on the highest case, it virtually feels as large as an 80 p.c Tenkeyless (TKL) format. Indeed, this isn’t a keyboard which was designed to enter a backpack. At 1.8kg it’s fairly heavy. But all of this heft is important to ship that well-tuned typing expertise which is focused at those that are on the lookout for a well-built pre-built keyboard to position on their desks and nowhere else.

OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro efficiency

Since this can be a fully-assembled pre-built keyboard, you possibly can solely select between the 2 beauty choices which are restricted to 2 swap sorts when buying one. This is a distinction in comparison with the plethora of choices Keychron presents with the Q1 Pro on its worldwide web site (since it is not accessible for buy in India). The Winter Bonfire keycaps are the common double shot PBT ones. They have a pleasant tough texture that avoids grease and remained shine-free throughout the assessment interval throughout which I used it each day.

The Keyboard 81 Pro has a really sensible ‘keyboard holder’ which doubles up as a fold-out stand to regulate the keyboard’s incline

Since I take advantage of a mechanical keyboard (albeit a funds one) every day, it is simple to inform the large distinction between utilizing a Keychron K6 (priced at Rs. 8,499 onwards) with Gateron G Pro Brown switches and a OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro with its Winter Bonfire switches. Every keypress has a pleasant tactile suggestions which is at first of the keypress. The switches want a little bit of power when urgent them down, however with a journey distance of simply 3.3mm (2.2mm pre-travel), registering keypresses was fairly fast.

This additionally meant I may sort fairly quick and precisely. Given that these are custom-made switches, OnePlus has executed a incredible job with them, given it is their first go at constructing a keyboard and can hit the sweet-spot for a lot of. Writers or coders will desire tactile switches due to the tactile bump. However, should you do not desire the tactile bump or the toned down clicky sound, do try the summer time breeze choice which has quieter switches which are higher suited to gaming due to their decrease working power and elevated journey distance.

Our assessment unit got here with the tactile Winter Bonfire switches

The switches are mounted on a PCB plate which is double-gasket mounted or suspended with foam-like gaskets to keep away from making contact with the keyboard case. This reduces undesirable noise and vibrations. This keyboard makes use of 10 gaskets in all, 5 on both facet of the PCB, and this together with the extra PC plate and case foam leads to a toned-down and dampened clicky sound which I discovered fairly satisfying and good for a pre-built keyboard. And should you aren’t too proud of the sounds this keyboard produces, you possibly can at all times hot-swap the switches along with your favorite ones.

One element I believe OnePlus unnoticed was a {custom} palm relaxation. I used a Keychron one which I had mendacity round at residence. But I extremely doubt it is doable to make use of the Keyboard 81 Pro with no palm relaxation given its peak.

I’m not a giant fan of south-facing RGB lighting and the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro, identical to the Keychron Q1 Pro, has them. The PBT keycaps aren’t of the shine-through selection so you’ll need an overhead lamp to mild up the keyboard when working in a darkish area. The lighting sample presets might be toggled by urgent down the operate key together with the ‘Q’ key.

Colours of those patterns might be altered by urgent down operate together with the ‘E’ or ‘D’ keys. The patterns appeared a bit restricted in comparison with a daily Keychron keyboard, however these are all customisable utilizing the VIA keyboard software program, which is able to want your keyboard to be bodily plugged into your machine when customising the lighting, macros and layers. The knob too is customisable. It defaults to growing or reducing system quantity and may mute it when pressed down.

The mode selector button is long-established like a OnePlus Alert Slider discovered on the model’s premium smartphones

There are additionally some delicate software program tweaks included like an influence saver mode which switches on after the battery will get exhausted and the keyboard can not fireplace up the RGB lighting anymore. It’s indicated by a blinking crimson mild underneath the spacebar. The RGB lighting, though not as sensible as Logitech’s MX sequence keyboards, will flip off mechanically after 5 minutes when not getting used. Connectivity is sort of strong and I used it wirelessly, linked to a Mac Studio throughout the assessment interval. During this time it by no means disconnected, which is downright spectacular for a third-party keyboard. The Keyboard 81 Pro might be linked to a few separate gadgets, with switching executed by urgent down the operate key and 1,2 or 3 numeric keys.

Battery life can be fairly strong for a wi-fi keyboard. The 4,000mAh battery lasted me six workdays (9 hours every) with RGB lighting totally lit and on most brightness. Beyond this the keyboard lasted two extra work days in energy saver mode (sans backlighting) till it switched off. With the backlighting turned off, OnePlus claims that its keyboard will last as long as 300 hours (or about 7.5 work weeks) on a single cost, which remains to be spectacular for a daily RGB laden keyboard.

The multi-function knob other than wanting nice additionally defaults to quantity and mute features

It’s no competitors when pitted towards the Logitech MX Mini Mechanical we reviewed lately, which is priced equally however comes with low-profile switches. The MX lasted two entire months on a single cost because of its sensor-equipped backlighting system with a fundamental white backlight. However the use-case for this keyboard could be very completely different (transportable and compact) in comparison with the Keyboard 81 Pro (desk work).

Since this keyboard shall be sitting at your desk, delving into charging instances appears pointless. Regardless, I nonetheless examined it out and it took a superb six hours to totally cost when linked to a 65W PD GaN charger.

Verdict

When it involves premium mechanical keyboards in India, you possibly can both select to accept a pre-built one from a brief record of producers who formally promote them right here, or you possibly can select the correct components, line-up for group buys, wait and eventually assemble the keyboard of your desires your self. However, there is no assure that you’ll not cross the Rs. 20,000 mark to construct that thocky or creamy-sounding keyboard.

The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro, like many different Keychron keyboards, is supposed for individuals who desire a mechanical keyboard for the typing expertise, however do not wish to get their palms soiled or dig-deep into the enterprise finish of it.

With that mentioned, the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro positive finds itself in a really advantageous place within the Indian mechanical keyboard scene. That’s as a result of importing such high-end pre-built mechanical keyboards into the nation remains to be fairly the problem. Keychron being the one premium mechanical keyboard producer to supply a good number of its merchandise within the nation has additionally over time garnered fairly the next.

While Keychron is sort of sluggish relating to releasing its new merchandise in India, it virtually looks like it purposely averted launching its Q1 Pro keyboard out right here due to this collaboration with OnePlus.

In quick, you possibly can both select to import a Keychron Q1 Pro through the customs route (which can or could not work out relying in your luck) and you’ll find yourself with a keyboard customised to your tastes at a value of roughly Rs. 16,500 (sans customs or duties). Or, you may merely go for its OnePlus-branded counterpart which might be bought from Rs. 17,999. Thankfully, it is not simply restricted to branding but in addition packs in some good, distinctive upgrades (switches, fold-out stand, keycaps, design) as properly.

I’m fairly impressed by what OnePlus has achieved because of inputs from its interior circle of testers and Keychron. What can be fascinating to see is how OnePlus managed to design and create its personal take of the Keychron Q1 Pro and likewise received most of it proper within the first go, regardless of having no expertise with constructing keyboards. In truth, I like this one a lot, I am unable to wait to see what OnePlus pulls off with the following one! 

Ratings out of 10

• Design: 9
• Performance: 9
• Value for cash: 8
• (*81*): 8

Pros

• Premium construct high quality
• Excellent typing expertise
• Keyboard peak is adjustable
• Useful keyboard holder or fold out stand
• Keys sound nice
• Robust companion software program
• Customisable keys
• Hot-swappable switches
• Replaceable keycaps

Cons

• Case is just accessible in a single end
• Could have included a {custom} palm relaxation