Cherry is a premium German keyboard manufacturer with over 70 years of history since its establishment in 1953. In particular, Cherry MX switches are synonymous with mechanical keyboards, beloved by gamers and keyboard enthusiasts worldwide.
Cherry recently merged with Xtrfy, a Swedish gaming peripheral brand, to build an even stronger gaming lineup, with the MX series representing their flagship gaming range. The product we’re introducing today is from Cherry’s latest flagship lineup, featuring TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) technology. TMR technology uses the tunneling magnetoresistance effect to detect key presses, boasting much greater precision and faster response times than traditional mechanical switches.
Let’s take a closer look at the Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO magnetic switch keyboard, a flagship gaming keyboard featuring Cherry’s first magnetic switches and next-generation TMR technology.
Specifications and Components
The Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO is a flagship gaming keyboard equipped with Cherry’s latest technology. Its key specifications include a compact 87-key tenkeyless (TKL) layout. Weighing approximately 950g, it has a substantial feel that prevents the keyboard from sliding during intense gaming sessions.
The most notable feature is the inclusion of Cherry’s first magnetic switches. Based on TMR technology, the magnetic sensing allows for ultra-precise trigger point adjustment down to 0.01mm and supports a polling rate of up to 8,000Hz. This is 8 times faster than the 1,000Hz of typical gaming keyboards, providing the extreme response speed demanded by professional gamers.
The standard package includes the keyboard body, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a 2.4GHz dongle, a keycap & switch puller, and a quick guide. As expected from a flagship product, it also comes with a sturdy aluminum hard case, making it easy to transport and store. This is a highly useful configuration for hardcore gamers and professional players who frequently participate in tournaments.
Appearance
The aluminum body of the Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO is precisely crafted with CNC machining, resulting in excellent finish quality, and the surface is anodized for enhanced durability. Its thickness is approximately 38mm, which is slightly higher than most mechanical keyboards due to the internal sound-dampening material and the magnetic switch structure.
The underside of the keyboard features 2-stage adjustable feet, allowing users to find a comfortable typing angle that suits their preference. The feet are made of rubber to prevent slipping and add stability.
The rear panel neatly houses the power switch, connection status LED, and a USB-C port. This product supports three connection methods: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C wired. Notably, it supports an 8K polling rate in both wired and wireless modes.
Weighing 950g, its substantial weight provides stability, preventing the keyboard from sliding during typing.
Layout
Adopting a TKL form factor, it consists of 87 keys. A major advantage is its support for both Windows and macOS, making it versatile for various environments.
MX Switches and Special Features
The most significant feature of the Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO is its first magnetic switch, which inherits the Cherry MX mechanical switch design. Unlike traditional contact-based switches, this switch operates by detecting changes in magnetic fields, resulting in virtually no physical wear and a long lifespan.
The pre-lubed 38g linear switches have a total actuation force of 50g and a total travel distance of 3.5mm. Notably, the bucket-type spring design maintains consistent key pressure, while the dual-rail structure and 6-hole bottom design provide stable, wobble-free keystrokes. The transparent glitter design of the housing beautifully diffuses RGB light, maximizing the dazzling lighting effects.
Another feature of this product is its dual hot-swappable support with MX mechanical switches. If you wish to change only specific keys to mechanical switches, you can swap them with your preferred Cherry MX switches. The interior features a 5-layer sound-dampening design, resulting in a soft and quiet typing sound.
The keycaps are made of double-shot PBT material, ensuring excellent durability and preventing legends from fading even after prolonged use.
Individual RGB LEDs are applied to each key, supporting 16.8 million colors. Various lighting effects can be set via the dedicated software, and RGB effects can also be changed instantly using FN key combinations, adding convenience.
Connectivity and Software (MAGCRATE)
The Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO comes with dedicated software called MAGCRATE.
The installation process is simple. First, connect the 2.4GHz dongle to your PC, then press and hold FN+ESC keys on the keyboard simultaneously for 3 seconds, and the program installation will proceed automatically.
MAGCRATE features an intuitive interface with basic menus for keyboard settings, FN layer settings, macro editing, lighting settings, and keyboard firmware/driver installation.
In the keyboard settings menu, you can fine-tune the magnetic switches based on TMR technology. The key stroke settings allow you to customize the actuation and reset points for each key in 0.1mm increments. For example, you can set WASD keys to 1.0mm for faster response, and other keys to 2.0mm to prevent typos, allowing for precise adjustments.
It also supports RTStab algorithm settings. This technology compensates for subtle tremors that can occur during rapid trigger use, allowing you to adjust sensitivity to match your playstyle.
As mentioned earlier, this gaming keyboard is hot-swappable not only with magnetic switches but also with various mechanical switches. After swapping, you can change the switch type by pressing the FN+K button, with the current setting intuitively indicated by the LED color.
You can check the set key values in real-time through a simulation test. A virtual keyboard appears on the screen, and when you press a physical key, the actuation point and travel distance are displayed on a graph, allowing you to immediately verify if the settings have been applied correctly.
Snapkey technology allows you to implement two functions with a single key or set up a continuous trigger function via a toggle switch. For example, you can set a light press to walk and a deep press to run. Snapkey, which prioritizes the last input key when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously, is particularly useful for precise strafing in tactical shooters like Valorant.
RGB Effects
The MAGCRATE software allows users to select from a variety of RGB effects or customize their own. There are over 20 default effects, including popular ones like rainbow wave, breathing effects, and reactive lighting.
The brightness is excellent, and there are many sophisticated effects. Particularly, thanks to the transparent housing of the magnetic switches, the light diffuses beautifully, creating a subtle yet dazzling effect.
Individual key customization is also possible. You can assign specific colors only to the arrow keys or highlight WASD keys with a different color, allowing for free customization. Different effects can also be applied to each key, enabling you to create your own unique RGB layout.
Typing Sound
The typing sound of the Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO is much quieter than mechanical switches due to the smooth operation unique to magnetic switches, yet it provides appropriate feedback, leading to a satisfying typing experience. While you might hear a slight reverberation from the spacebar in the video above, overall, the feel is satisfying.
The pre-lubed switches move smoothly without any friction. When actually typing, there’s less finger fatigue even during long sessions, and typing accuracy doesn’t decrease even with fast typing.
Usage Review
In actual gameplay, the Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO delivers satisfying performance. The rapid trigger function, enabled by TMR technology, allows for quick and precise continuous actions because the key resets and can be re-entered with just a slight lift, even without fully releasing it.
Especially in games like Valorant, where victory is decided by subtle timing differences, the response speed and 8K polling rate performance of this gaming keyboard feel like a definite advantage.
Magnetic switches have no physical contact, meaning there’s no tactile bump or resistance. While it requires some adaptation at first, once you get used to it, its charm is enough to make you keep reaching for it during gaming.
Conclusion
The Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO is a next-generation rapid trigger keyboard, where Cherry, a specialized keyboard brand, has concentrated its latest technologies. The TMR technology-based magnetic switches allow for precise adjustments down to 0.01mm, and the 8,000Hz polling rate achieves ultra-low latency that even professional gamers will appreciate.
Especially, the dual hot-swap feature, which allows the use of both magnetic and mechanical switches, is a user-centric design. Specific keys used for gaming can be magnetic switches, while general keys can be mechanical, satisfying both gaming performance and typing feel.
Of course, as a flagship product, the launch price is on the higher side, but for those seeking a gaming keyboard with top-tier specifications and the latest technology, I believe it is well worth the investment. This concludes my review of the Cherry XTRFY MX8.2 PRO.
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