Introduction

NuPhy is a relatively new keyboard brand that prides itself for taking fun in everything it does. Indeed, its "About Us" page references anime to the point of even postulating the brand may make mobile games in the future! Regardless of where it goes, the takeaway here is the people behind NuPhy appreciate style and design, which has made NuPhy keyboards quite popular in the mechanical keyboard community already. Today we introduce NuPhy to our review database with the Air96 V2, a low profile keyboard that is a very good example of what the brand is all about.



As the name suggests, the NuPhy Air96 V2 is an update to the previously released Air96, which I have no experience with. There is a comparison table at the bottom of the product page but, for all intents and purposes, I will be treating this keyboard as any other and not draw comparisons to the previous version which is still available for purchase. This is a 96% form factor keyboard in that you basically have a full-size keyboard's worth of functionality in a slightly smaller footprint. It offers hybrid wireless connectivity with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1, with NuPhy claiming the use of a more powerful wireless controller enabling higher data throughput and lower latency compared to the norm. The Air96 V2 is also a low profile keyboard and has optional accessories to help customize it to your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. This is also why there are three keyboard colors to choose from even before we get to the multitude of switches and keycaps available. Thanks to NuPhy for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp, and we begin with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

The NuPhy Air96 V2 ships in a thin, clean-looking product box with the product name and a render of the keyboard on the front. The brand name is barely visible on the box, although it does make a few appearances on the back where we also find the product specs and a list of contents inside. There is no mention of this being the V2 version though, and I also think it is a cruel joke to give hope for an ISO version this way since I am pretty sure this is yet another US ANSI-only keyboard. The outer sleeve slides out easily from either side and this allows a closer look at the black cardboard inner box with a simplified, yet colored, render of the keyboard. Side flaps help keep the contents inside in place during their way to you, with the keyboard placed inside a wax paper wrap and under a hard plastic cover for added protection, and the various accessories either on top or to the sides in separate compartments.


NuPhy is quite generous on the accessories front, including paperwork in the form of a multi-language quick start guide (online copy here), a set of stickers—you can see how my IEM reviews and keyboard reviews have more and more in common now—and a multi-language user manual going through the setup and pre-programmed functions in more detail. We also get a USB Type-C to Type-A cable which matches the design scheme of the keyboard, a 2.4 GHz low profile USB dongle inside a silicone protective sleeve, a branded combo metal wire-style keycap puller and switch remover tool again in the same color scheme as the others, one each of some optional switches the keyboard is available in, and some replacement keycaps too!


NuPhy also sent along one of the optional accessories in the form of a folio case, aptly called NuFolio. The folio case comes packaged in a similarly sized product box and has a thick foam sheet inside to temporarily take the place of the keyboard. There are two new color options for the Air96 NuFolio case which were introduced with the newer keyboard and I have the "Lustrous Gray" version here. This is a well-built carry case which feels quite solid in the hands and costs $29, for those interested.