Keychron’s new V6 Ultra HE keyboard lets you mix magnetic and mechanical switches on the same board

Keychron has listed a new full-size keyboard on its website ahead of a Kickstarter campaign scheduled for July 22. The V6 Ultra HE follows the recent announcement of the K2 Ultra 8K and K8 Ultra 8K, two wireless mechanical keyboards that form part of the company's expanding 8K polling rate lineup.

The V6 Ultra HE takes a different direction from those two boards. Where the K2 Ultra 8K and K8 Ultra 8K focus on conventional mechanical switches with high-speed wireless performance, the V6 Ultra HE is built around a hybrid socket design that supports both mechanical and TMR magnetic switches on the same printed circuit board.

Keychron calls the system the Nova Socket. It allows users to install different switch types at different key positions without requiring separate PCBs or adapter hardware.

The suggested configuration is to place TMR magnetic switches under gaming-critical keys such as the WASD cluster, where adjustable actuation and rapid triggering are most relevant, while keeping standard mechanical switches across the rest of the board for a conventional typing feel. The V6 Ultra HE ships pre-installed with Keychron's Ultra Fast Lime magnetic switches and Apex mechanical switches.

The magnetic switches use tunnel magnetoresistance sensing technology, which enables three capabilities not available on standard mechanical switches: adjustable actuation points, rapid trigger for faster key resets, and SOCD (Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Directions) behavior configuration.

Keychron handles all adjustments through a QMK-powered open-source web launcher. The same interface covers keymapping and macro programming, eliminating the need for a dedicated desktop application. The K3 HE, which we reviewed earlier this year at $119.99, uses the same Keychron Launcher web utility for its Hall-effect customization.

The V6 Ultra HE supports three connection modes. Wired USB delivers an 8,000Hz polling rate, placing it eight times above the 1,000Hz wired ceiling on the K3 HE. A 2.4GHz wireless mode is available for lower-latency wireless use, and Bluetooth 5.3 enables multi-device pairing. The K3 HE uses Bluetooth 5.2 in comparison. Both boards include hardware layout support for macOS and Windows.

The chassis uses a gasket-mounted structure with multiple layers of sound-dampening material. The K3 HE uses a tray-mount design with an aluminum plate, which produces a stiffer feel with no flex. The V6 Ultra HE's gasket mount is likely to feel softer and more cushioned by comparison. Keycaps on the V6 Ultra HE are double-shot PBT in Keychron's OSA profile, while the K3 HE ships with double-shot PBT in the LSA profile.

A detachable battery module is included, making the battery user-replaceable over time. Keychron cites alignment with upcoming European Union regulations requiring user-serviceable batteries in consumer electronics.

Keychron has not confirmed a retail price. The company is currently accepting $5 deposits on its website, which will secure an early-bird price listed as "$1?9" when the Kickstarter opens on July 22.