Things to Consider Before Buying the Keychron Orca echo | A Split Keyboard User Organizes Expectations and Concerns
*Update: The price has been announced!
I was surprised that it was about 10,000 yen cheaper than I expected.
The lowest price is 22,908 yen!
Personally, I want the white one.
I think I'll back the project for the version that comes with a dedicated carrying case!
The purchase page is here ↓
I am quite interested in the "Keychron Orca echo," a split keyboard co-developed by Keychron and Gizmodo.
After reading this article, you will be able to think about whether the Keychron Orca echo fits your work environment, rather than just wanting it "for some reason."
Conclusion of this article
The Keychron Orca echo is quite attractive for those interested in split keyboards. However, the trackball position, key layout, tenting angle, and connection stability are points you should check before buying.
I have been using a split keyboard called the roba for about half a year.
Based on that experience, there are parts of the Keychron Orca echo where I think, "It would be great if this issue were resolved." On the other hand, there are parts where I feel, "If this doesn't fit me, it will likely become a source of daily stress."
First, please save this and read it while organizing what you are looking for in a keyboard.
What is the Keychron Orca echo?
The Keychron Orca echo is a left-right split keyboard with a trackball, co-developed by Keychron and Gizmodo.
According to the Gizmodo article, crowdfunding is scheduled to begin on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 8:00 PM via "GIZMART," an online concept shop operated directly by Gizmodo Japan.
Illustration: Keychron Orca echo. It is split left and right, with a trackball on the right side and a wheel on the left side.
The main features are as follows:
Layout: Compact 49-key layout
Pointing: 19mm trackball on the right thumb side
Scrolling: Left-side wheel, vertical scroll pads on both sides
Angle Adjustment: 2-level built-in tenting stand
Connectivity: Wired, 3 Bluetooth devices, 2.4GHz wireless
Customization: Change keys and behavior with Keychron Launcher
Portability: Left and right units attach magnetically
The appeal of a split keyboard is that you can place the left and right sides at a position close to your shoulder width. It feels more like adjusting the keyboard to your body rather than adjusting your body to the keyboard.
Expectations for an 'All-in-One' Experience
What I first expect from the Keychron Orca echo is that it is packed with features as a split keyboard.
Split keyboards are convenient, but depending on the product, there are significant trade-offs. Few keys. No pointing device. Need to prepare a separate stand.
The Keychron Orca echo includes 49 keys, a trackball, a wheel, a scroll pad, a built-in tenting stand, and even wireless connectivity.
Looking at it as a tool I use for work every day, having it this well-equipped from the start is quite attractive.
Frustrations felt after using the roba for half a year
The roba I have been using until now also had many good points.
The typing feel was very good. Since it uses a standard profile, there was also the fun of choosing key switches.
On the other hand, the thing that bothered me most after using it for half a year was that there were few keys on the pinky side.
In particular, there were situations where operations while holding down Ctrl were difficult.
With tools you use every day, these small frustrations accumulate. Even if you don't notice it once, it starts to take a toll little by little when you touch it dozens of times every day.
Since the Keychron Orca echo has 49 keys, I am hoping that this frustration will be slightly resolved.
Expectations for a low profile
Another thing I am looking forward to is that it is a low profile.
A low profile refers to a keyboard with a lower key height.
Since the roba was not a low profile, I sometimes felt the height when pressing the keys.
Standard profiles have the benefits of a solid typing feel and a wide range of switch choices.
However, if you use it for a long time during work, lower keys might put less strain on your wrists.
I use a Logitech MX Mechanical Mini at work. Since I am used to the standard key mapping, I would like to use something with a similar feel if possible.
My concerns are the trackball and the position of the inner keys.
While I have high expectations, I also have some concerns.
What I am most concerned about is the position of the trackball and the inner keys.
With the increase in the number of keys, I wonder if the trackball or the inner keys will end up in a high position. This is something I won't know until I actually try it.
Trackballs are convenient, but if the position is not right, they can actually become difficult to use. It would be perfect if I could touch it naturally with my right thumb, but I am a bit worried if I have to stretch my thumb to reach it.
Being able to reduce the number of times I reach for the mouse is appealing. However, the more I use the pointer, the more important the position of the trackball becomes.
Is the tenting stand really easy to use?
I also have high expectations for the tenting stand.
Tenting is a way of placing the keyboard so that it is slightly tilted like a mountain.
The roba did not come with a stand for tenting.
Therefore, I bought a stand myself and attached it. However, the disadvantage was that I could no longer place it flat once it was attached.
The Keychron Orca echo is said to have a two-stage built-in tenting stand. It seems that it can be placed flat if stored, so this is a very welcome point.
However, I am concerned about whether it can be adjusted to the height I want.
Is two stages enough? Is the angle too shallow? How well does it work with my desk? This is also something I want to check before the crowdfunding starts.
The number of connectable devices and stability are very important.
The fact that it supports wireless connection is also attractive.
The Gizmodo article states that it supports 3 Bluetooth connections, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired connection.
In my case, I use a company PC, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini, and smartphone. Therefore, registering and switching between multiple devices is very important.
The roba can currently be set up for up to 5 devices. However, the connection has occasionally become unstable.
When a keyboard disconnects, it really breaks my concentration.
I hope for that kind of stability with the Keychron Orca Echo as well.
Another candidate I'm curious about: Differences from the zaruball
While looking at the Keychron Orca Echo, I'm also curious about the zaruball as an alternative.
The zaruball seems to have even more room in terms of key count, including the number keys.
If you do a lot of number entry for work, that direction is also appealing.
However, for this Keychron Orca Echo, I am looking forward to the level of refinement and accessibility typical of Keychron.
If they can take a philosophy close to custom or small-batch keyboards and make it accessible to a wider audience, I think that is its greatest value.
A checklist to review before buying
Before buying on impulse, I would check the following points.
Price: Is it a price I can accept for a split keyboard?
Trackball position: Can my thumb reach it naturally?
Inner key height: Will it cause unnatural hand movements?
Tenting angle: Does it suit my wrists?
Number of connections: Is it enough for the number of devices I use?
Connection stability: Can I rely on it as a work tool?
Keymap: Can I make it close to my usual operations?
This isn't to find reasons not to buy it. It's to confirm so I can buy it with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it easy for a split keyboard beginner to buy?
Whether you can use it right away depends on the person.
However, the Keychron Orca echo has a relatively high number of keys and seems to be customizable via Keychron Launcher, so it doesn't seem to be aimed exclusively at experts.
Q. Is having a trackball convenient?
It is highly likely to be convenient.
However, this assumes the position is a good fit. Whether you can operate it naturally with your thumb is what matters.
Q. Should I buy it through crowdfunding?
I would want to decide after looking at the price, warranty, shipping schedule, and hands-on reviews.
I am quite interested in it, but rather than buying it without thinking, I want to confirm if it fits my usage style before deciding.
Summary
The Keychron Orca echo is a very attractive split keyboard.
With 49 keys, a trackball, a wheel, a scroll pad, a built-in tenting stand, and wireless connectivity, anyone interested in split keyboards is bound to be curious about it.
However, because it is a tool you use every day, buying it based on expectations alone is a bit risky.
In particular, I want to check the trackball position, tenting angle, connection stability, and the degree of freedom in key mapping.
Having used the roba for half a year, I have high expectations for the Keychron Orca echo. At the same time, I also feel that a split keyboard is a tool that you won't keep using just because it looks cool.
If I buy it, I want to decide after seeing if it fits my hands, my desk, and my workflow.
Do you have any expectations for the Keychron Orca echo?
Conversely, are there any parts you are worried about?
I would be happy if you could let me know in the comments.
Reference Materials
Gizmodo Japan 'The dream collaboration continues. The new product from Keychron and Gizmodo is a "split keyboard with a trackball"!'