OnePlus has announced that it is creating, or rather co-creating, a mechanical keyboard, which is a bit of a curve for the company that is best known for its smartphones.
To be fair, OnePlus makes kits other than smartphones – like headphones and a smartwatch – but we haven’t seen a mechanical keyboard coming. However, as the company tells us, it is moving in this direction due to popular demand.
The keyboard will be made in conjunction with Keychron, and the project was launched under the ‘OnePlus Featuring’ co-creation platform. Basically, this is where the company works with partners to produce the things that OnePlus users have voted for, with the first most popular design being this keyboard.
So what’s the deal with the peripheral itself? OnePlus has told us very little about the product other than that it will be “customizable”, and well, that’s all the company has revealed at this stage except that more details will be revealed in early 2023.
If you want to know more about the OnePlus Mechanical Keyboard, you can sign up for the OnePlus Featuring platform, where you’ll be notified of new developments.
Analysis: Definitely more than just a feast of lights
It’s definitely something a bit different for OnePlus, for sure. As for what a “configurable” mechanical keyboard entails; in theory, it could be as simple as being able to choose from a million and one different RGB lighting effects and patterns – you know, like any other gaming keyboard.
OnePlus may be planning something more in-depth though, and that seems very likely as partner company Keychron discusses customization in detail on its website. It touches on topics such as keycap replacement, stabilizers (dictating the “feel” of a keystroke) and various detachable cables. Given that, and the fact that customization is clearly a standout feature – since it’s the only thing this first press release mentions – we’re expecting much more than just being able to mess with the LEDs.
Hopefully we’ll know more in January, although the “early next year” timeframe for the first proper drop in information could really mean any point in the first quarter. Expect other projects to be delivered by OnePlus through this new co-authoring platform in the future as well.
