Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera vs VPH87 Chang'eWireless Performance vs Artistic Design
Choose the APT87 for wireless flexibility and gaming, or the VPH87 for its unique artistic design and slightly lower cost.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
Wireless Performance
- Triple-mode connectivity with wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.4 GHz wireless.
- Programmable via Varmilo web application according to the vendor.
- Includes north-facing RGB lighting with multiple polling rates (1000 Hz wired, 250 Hz 2.4G).
- Uses a proprietary web app for programming, not QMK or VIA compatible.
- ABS case construction, which may feel less premium than other materials.
- North-facing RGB LEDs can cause interference with some Cherry-profile keycaps.
Get the
Varmilo VPH87 Chang'e
Artistic Design
- Unique and intricate Chang'e theme with UV-printed artwork on the frame.
- Special keycaps including 5-sided dye-sub PBT modifiers and IMD-printed ABS lunar phase caps.
- Includes fine-tuned stabilizers and double silicone sound dampening pads.
- Wired-only connectivity, lacking wireless options.
- White-only backlighting, not full RGB.
- Uses a mix of PBT and ABS for keycaps, which may wear differently over time.
Your primary need dictates the choice. For a versatile daily driver that can move between devices wirelessly and perform well in games, the Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera is the logical pick. If you work at a single desk and value a keyboard as a centerpiece art object with meticulous thematic details, the wired Varmilo VPH87 Chang'e is the more compelling option. Both deliver Varmilo's signature build quality and typing experience.
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.
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
Varmilo VPH87 Chang'e
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Switch options
Linear, Silent, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Backlight
RGB, north-facing
White
N-key rollover
Yes
No
Released
2024
2023
- Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
- Varmilo VPH87 Chang'e
- Performance
- 8350
- Build quality
- 5456
- Productivity
- 7961
- Customizability
- 7166
- Portability
- 7560
- Layout size: 80%
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS
- Mount style: Plate Mount
- Sound dampening
- Plate material: Plastic
What will you mostly use it for?
The APT87 is the clear choice for wireless use, gaming, and office environments due to its multiple connectivity options and higher polling rate. The VPH87 wins for content creation where its artistic design is a primary feature. For stationary tasks like programming and modding, both keyboards are equally capable, sharing core features like hotswap PCBs and sound-dampened TKL layouts.
Pick the Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
- The APT87 offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for lower latency.
- It includes N-Key Rollover, which is listed in its metadata.
- Its 2.4 GHz wireless mode provides a 250 Hz polling rate for cable-free gaming.
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera vs VPH87 Chang'e specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 20 specs differ
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
Varmilo VPH87 Chang'e
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera vs VPH87 Chang'e: your questions
Yes. The APT87 offers triple-mode connectivity. You can use it wired with the USB-C cable, or wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.1 or a 2.4 GHz USB receiver, as confirmed by the vendor description.
The polling rate varies by connection mode. According to the vendor, it is 1000 Hz when used wired, 250 Hz in 2.4 GHz wireless mode, and 133 Hz over Bluetooth.
No. The VPH87 Chang'e features white SMD LED backlighting, not full RGB. This white lighting is specifically designed to showcase the hidden lunar phase designs on the F-row keycaps.
Yes. Both the APT87 Beijing Opera and the VPH87 Chang'e are equipped with hot-swap PCBs. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering.
Both can be configured for quiet use with silent switch options like Cherry MX Silent Red. The APT87 may have a slight edge due to its wireless connectivity reducing cable clutter, and its vendor description specifically mentions double-layer silicone sound absorption for noise reduction.
The APT87 is programmable via the Varmilo web application, according to its vendor page. The VPH87's programmability is not detailed in the provided information. Neither keyboard is listed as compatible with QMK or VIA firmware.
Both use PBT keycaps for durability. The APT87 uses thick dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. The VPH87 uses V-silk PBT dye-sublimated keycaps for the alphas and special 5-sided dye-sub PBT modifiers, with additional IMD-printed ABS keycaps for the lunar phases design.
Yes. Both the APT87 and VPH87 include multimedia keys. The APT87's vendor description mentions preset multimedia keypress combinations.
The metadata lists both as offering tactile, linear, and silent switches. The VPH87 Chang'e also lists a clicky switch option, which the APT87 does not, providing a more varied tactile and auditory choice out of the box.
The vendor description for the VPH87 Chang'e mentions it has 'fine-tuned stabilizers,' which suggests they have been adjusted from the factory. There is no specific mention of stabilizer tuning for the APT87 in the provided details.
The APT87 Beijing Opera has a black, grey, and white color scheme with red and black legends. The VPH87 Chang'e is a vibrant, multi-colored artistic board themed around the moon goddess, featuring UV-printed artwork on the frame and specially designed lunar keycaps.
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