OnePlus’ first mechanical keyboard is on sale today for $40 off

28.12.2023 - 18:29 / theverge.com / Brandon Widder

By Brandon Widder, a senior editor overseeing deals, gift guides, and commerce. He spent six years spearheading buying guides and consumer tech coverage at Digital Trends.

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As OnePlus continues to expand its reach outside of China and India, it’s doing so with more than just phones. Take the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro, for instance, which is on sale from OnePlus right now in the Winter Bonfire configuration with double-shot PBT keycaps and tactile switches for $179 ($40 off) or in the Summer Breeze config with lighter “marble-mallow” keycaps and linear switches for $199 ($40 off).

In many ways, OnePlus’ debut mechanical keyboard acts as a redesigned Keychron Q1 Pro — our current pick for the best premium Bluetooth keyboard — with a few added tweaks. The wireless, 75 percent board features an adjustable kickstand, for one, along with cylindrical keycaps that give it a quieter, more modern feel than the Q1 Pro. It’s also remappable using the VIA app, features hot-swappable switches, and includes the ability to toggle between Windows and Mac keyboard layouts with the flip of a switch, making it a great Keychron alternative for slightly less.

The Keyboard 81 Pro is OnePlus’ take on the Keychron Q1 Pro. The hefty, hot-swappable board comes with a 75 percent layout and either tactile or linear switches, as well as a OnePlus-inspired look with RGB lighting.

In case you missed it, there’s a new entry-level Apple Pencil on the block. In most instances, however, we’d recommend opting for either Apple’s first- or second-gen stylus, both of which offer more advanced features than the latest model. Thankfully for those who received an iPad over the holiday, the second-gen Pencil is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $89 ($40 off), while the first-gen model can be had with a USB-C adapter at Amazon and Best Buy for $79 ($20 off).

There are a few things to note in terms of the difference between the original Apple Pencil and its second-gen counterpart. Both feature pressure and tilt sensitivity, though the latter also supports tap gestures and the hover feature on M2-equipped iPad Pros. What’s more, the second-gen charges magnetically while attached to the side of your tablet, whereas the first-gen model relies on either the bundled USB-C adapter or plugs directly into the Lighting port on older iPad models. Lastly, in terms of compatibility, the second-gen model works with the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini, while the first-gen Pencil is built for use with older slates and the latest entry-level iPads — including the 10th-gen model from last year.

The second-gen Apple Pencil ditches the awkward Lightning port