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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear vs Nuphy Gem80

Choose the Apos Preonic Rev 4 for its compact ortholinear grid and support for up to ten encoder positions, or the Nuphy Gem80 for wireless connectivity, an 80% layout, and adjustable mount options.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear

Build quality in the top 50% of Numpad boards under $200.

If you want

  • Ortholinear grid layout with a dedicated number row.
  • Vendor-described support for up to ten encoder positions.
  • Per-key RGB backlighting and integrated RGB underglow.

Rules this board out

  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.

Get the

Nuphy Gem80

Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Wireless connectivity includes Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, with a 4000mAh battery.
  • Omni-Mount supports top, gasket, or bottom mounting.
  • VIA support complements QMK for key remapping and customization.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Get the Apos Preonic Rev 4 if its ortholinear grid, dedicated number row, and encoder support are the features you want. Choose the Nuphy Gem80 for wireless connectivity, its conventional 80% layout, and its alternative mounting options. Both support QMK and hot-swapping, so those shared features do not decide the comparison.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear

Nuphy Gem80

  • Layout size

    Numpad

    80%

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Ergonomics

    Ortholinear

    Standard

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Aluminum, Polycarbonate

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

    Mechanical

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear
  • Nuphy Gem80
Performance
61
79
Build quality
66
84
Productivity
56
88
Customizability
68
94
Portability
65
76

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • QMK
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Gem80 has the edge for gaming, office use, modding, and content creation, largely because it combines an 80% layout with wireless options and extensive hardware customization. The Preonic is the more distinctive pick for programming when an ortholinear grid and encoder support suit the user's workflow. For travel, its compact design and wired-only operation may appeal to buyers who prefer not to manage a battery, while the Gem80 offers wireless flexibility in a larger, heavier board.

For gaming

Pick the Nuphy Gem80

  • The Gem80 supports wired and wireless connections, including 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth.
  • Its stated 1000 Hz polling rate applies to wired and 2.4 GHz connections.
  • The Preonic is wired only and has a compact ortholinear layout.

Full specs

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear vs Nuphy Gem80 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 25 specs differ

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear

Nuphy Gem80

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Mechanical

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE

Ergonomics

Ortholinear
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
4,000 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum, Polycarbonate

Plate material

—
Aluminum, FR4, Polycarbonate, POM

Keycaps

—
ABS, PBT

Weight

—
1,120 g

Dimensions

—
37 x 358 x 141 mm

Typing angle

—
6°

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2024

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

Nuphy Gem804 stores

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Nuphy Gem80

FAQ

Apos Preonic Rev 4 Ortholinear vs Nuphy Gem80: your questions

No. The Preonic is listed as wired only, and its vendor description focuses on USB daughterboard support rather than wireless operation.

Yes. The Gem80 is listed with Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, as well as wired operation. Its listed battery capacity is 4000mAh.

Neither product is described as having a conventional separate numpad. The Preonic is listed in the numpad-size category but its vendor description calls it a compact ortholinear 50% layout with a number row; the Gem80 is an 80% layout with no numpad.

No. The Preonic is ANSI, and ISO layouts including ISO-DE and UK variants are not offered. The Gem80 is listed with ANSI and ISO options.

The Gem80 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz connections, plus N-key rollover. It also supports Bluetooth, though its listed Bluetooth polling rate is 125 Hz.

The Gem80 offers QMK and VIA support, hot-swapping, and vendor-described top, gasket, and bottom mount options. The Preonic supports QMK, hot-swapping, and up to ten encoder positions, making it a distinctive option for ortholinear customization.

Yes. NuPhy describes Omni-Mount options for top, gasket, and bottom mounting, with a complementary gasket and mount kit. Its listed mount styles include gasket and top mount.

The Preonic has per-key RGB backlighting and integrated RGB underglow, according to its vendor description. The product listing also identifies it as an RGB keyboard.

The Gem80 has south-facing RGB LEDs. The compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

NuPhy's product description says the Gem80 kit does not include switches or keycaps by default. The vendor page presents switch and keycap sets as separate options.

The Apos product page lists Gateron Yellow KS-3 linear switches and TTC Silent Bluish White V2 tactile switches among its options. It also shows an option with no switches.

The Preonic is described by Apos as a compact ortholinear 50% design. The Gem80 is an 80% keyboard measuring 358.1 mm wide and weighing 1120g.

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