NuPhy’s Halo V2 lineup is getting a serious stamina upgrade. The compact Halo65 V2, the mid-sized Halo75 V2, and the full-featured Halo96 V2 with a numpad all claim dramatically longer run time on a charge, thanks to a shift to the new NuPhyIO firmware and a more integrated PCB design.
What makes this notable is that battery capacity hasn’t changed. Each board still carries a 4,000 mAh battery, just like the QMK/VIA-compatible versions. The difference, according to NuPhy, comes from efficiency: QMK is flexible but not especially power-thrifty, and the NuPhyIO boards can use a simpler, more integrated PCB that sips less power.
The headline figure is eye-catching. In best-case conditions with all lighting disabled, the Halo96 V2 reportedly jumps from roughly 307 hours on QMK/VIA firmware to as much as 1,200 hours on NuPhyIO—a nearly 300% increase. That positions the Halo V2 series as one of the longest-lasting wireless mechanical keyboard families you can buy when you don’t need RGB lighting.
Turn the lights on, and expectations should be more grounded. With backlighting active, the new firmware appears to extend battery life by about 10% versus QMK/VIA. That lines up with what many reviewers have seen from other wireless boards, including models like the Keychron K4 HE: crank up RGB brightness and your battery drains fast, regardless of firmware. NuPhy hasn’t detailed its testing methodology, and real-world results will vary based on brightness levels, effects, and how you connect.
Connectivity mode matters, but maybe not as much as you think. Switching from Bluetooth’s typical 125 Hz polling to 2.4 GHz at 1,000 Hz improves responsiveness for gaming and fast typing, yet the power penalty isn’t enormous in practice. If you want maximum endurance, Bluetooth with lighting off still wins. If you want low-latency performance, 2.4 GHz remains a smart choice without torpedoing battery life.
The takeaway is simple:
– If you prefer a clean, distraction-free deck with lighting off, NuPhyIO can deliver multi-week or even multi-month endurance on the Halo V2 series.
– If you love bright RGB, expect a modest efficiency boost over QMK/VIA, but not a miracle—the LEDs are the biggest draw.
– Your use case should drive your settings: lower brightness, simpler effects, and Bluetooth for longevity; 2.4 GHz and higher polling for speed.
For anyone shopping wireless mechanical keyboards, the Halo65 V2, Halo75 V2, and Halo96 V2 now stand out for efficiency-first engineering, pairing familiar 4,000 mAh batteries with firmware and PCB optimizations that prioritize real-world battery life without sacrificing responsiveness.
