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OnePlus Keyboard leak hints at traditionalist design and mystery big red button

Is this the first-gen OnePlus keyboard? (Source: 91Mobiles)
Is this the first-gen OnePlus keyboard? (Source: 91Mobiles)
Despite being best known for smartphones, OnePlus has confirmed that it intends to get into the mechanical keyboard game in 2023. A new leak purports to post an in-the-wild snapshot of this accessory for the first time, thereby revealing its allegedly nostalgia-addled materials and design. Then again, the OEM's own teaser paints a different picture.

OnePlus has unveiled its new "Featuring" project dedicated to new products that are quite a departure from its usual mobile device offerings, starting with a new PC-compatible keyboard. Now, the blog 91Mobiles claims to have laid hands on an image of this first-gen accessory - well, the upper right corner of it, that is.

The photo gives the impression of going for a distinctly old-school look with its inaugural keyboard, particularly in the traditionalist design and standard-issue color of its main body. Some keys (such as the function row) share this shade, whereas others, such as the yellow Enter key, might stand out more.

However, according to 91Mobiles, no-one will give them or their possibly custom font a second look, thanks to the smooth, shiny red cylinder set in the corner above the Delete key. Despite the vibrant, classic OnePlus color of this potential volume control or tuner, it could have more texture or character for some potential buyers.

Then again, the keyboard's maker itself might have some reactions to this new leak. OnePlus' own new video teaser for its Keyboard seems to make the "ultra-precise CNC"-machined aluminum tapped for its construction much more obvious.

While a two-tone gray scheme for the keys is shown, yellow is not on the menu here - in fact, it seems the Enter and Esc keys might serve as red accents instead. There is a possible volume knob in the same location as in the 91Mobiles leak - however, it is a different shape and made of a clear material instead.

OnePlus has also included what could be some final hardware tweaks for its upcoming product: there are 2 rear-facing toggles shown next to the USB type-C port.

One looks quite like an Alert Slider, although it clearly switches between wired and wireless modes, and is located next to one of a much different design for "Win/Mac" (even though Linux support was also mentioned previously.)

Therefore, either the blog's new tip is inaccurate - or OnePlus intends to lavish a lot of custom keycap options on its first ever mechanical keyboard. To date, the OEM asserts that the product is in a "rigorous testing phase" of development, remaining on track for a February 2023 launch.

Buy a SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless mechanical keyboard on Amazon

A new leak suggests the OnePlus Keyboard will look like this...(Source: 91Mobiles)
A new leak suggests the OnePlus Keyboard will look like this...(Source: 91Mobiles)
...although the brand itself indicates otherwise. (Source: OnePlus)
...although the brand itself indicates otherwise. (Source: OnePlus)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 01 > OnePlus Keyboard leak hints at traditionalist design and mystery big red button
Deirdre O'Donnell, 2023-01-23 (Update: 2023-01-23)