Aflion Iceberg vs. Outemu Phoenix
An in-depth look at the Aflion Iceberg and the Outemu Phoenix switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Iceberg and Outemu Phoenix are two intriguing mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct qualities. The Iceberg, produced by the relatively new switch manufacturer Aflion, is known for its smoothness and satisfying feel. With a two-stage spring, it provides a fulfilling tactile experience. Categorized as "clacky," "high-pitched," "snappy," "feathery," and "subtle," the Iceberg switch offers a range of sensations to enhance your typing or gaming experience. On the other hand, the Phoenix stands out with its unique under-skirt click mechanism, making it one of the most distinctive clicky switches available today. Its crystalline and sparkling feel, accompanied by a polished sound profile, adds a touch of elegance to your keystrokes. While these general pointers provide insight into their respective features, let's dive deeper to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Iceberg and the Outemu Phoenix, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice of material contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. The translucency of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for those planning to incorporate RGB lighting into their keyboard setup. Aesthetically, the switches will offer a similar visual appeal with their clear top housings. Therefore, users can expect comparable results in terms of sound and lighting effects when using either the Iceberg or the Phoenix.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Iceberg opts for nylon while the Phoenix sticks with polycarbonate. The Iceberg's nylon bottom housing brings about a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its relatively softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound during typing. On the other hand, the Phoenix's polycarbonate bottom housing aligns with the sharp and clear sound profile maintained by its top housing. This choice of material accentuates the resonant and crisp sound produced while typing. Therefore, users can anticipate a slightly different auditory experience between the two switches, with the Iceberg offering a deeper tone and the Phoenix emphasizing a sharper tone.
When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more noticeable, as it has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. However, the sound when letting go of a key will be influenced by the top housing. Therefore, even though the bottom housing material differs between the Iceberg and the Phoenix, the overall performance and feel of the switches will be affected by both the top and bottom housing materials to some extent. Ultimately, users can choose which housing combination aligns more closely with their preferred sound and tactile experience.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, one noticeable difference is in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Iceberg switch has a light actuation force of 37 grams, meaning it requires a relatively gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Phoenix switch is unavailable, and thus unknown.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Iceberg switch requires 45 grams of force to fully press down a key, resulting in a relatively light and easy typing experience. On the other hand, the Phoenix switch has a higher bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial and tactile feel while typing.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Iceberg switch, as its actuation and bottom out forces are relatively low. This allows for longer typing sessions without excessive fatigue. On the other hand, individuals looking for a more substantial keystroke feel would find the Phoenix switch more suitable due to its higher bottom out force.
In conclusion, the actuation and bottom out forces of the Iceberg and Phoenix switches greatly differ. The Iceberg switch offers a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. In contrast, the Phoenix switch's actuation force is unknown, but it has a higher bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial keystroke feel. Depending on individual preferences, one can choose the switch that best suits their typing style and desired level of tactile feedback.
Travel distance
The Aflion Iceberg linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. At 4 mm, the Iceberg has a more traditional travel distance, while the Phoenix at 3.3 mm is slightly shallower. The shorter travel distance of the Phoenix may be preferable for gamers looking for faster response times, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, the Iceberg's longer travel distance may provide a sense of deeper key presses for those who prefer a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for either a shorter and more responsive travel distance or a longer and more substantial one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Iceberg has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Iceberg for $3.07.
The Outemu Phoenix comes in at $4.15 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Iceberg linear switch from Aflion is best known for its smoothness and two-stage spring, providing a satisfying and fulfilling feel. In terms of sound, the Iceberg is described as clacky and high-pitched, producing a sharp, crisp, and percussive sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Phoenix clicky switch is known for its unique under-skirt click mechanism, resulting in a crystalline and sparkling feel and sound profile. The Phoenix is described as crunchy, resembling the sound of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. Unfortunately, the specific sound profile of the Iceberg is not mentioned, so we cannot make a direct comparison in this aspect.
In terms of feel, the Iceberg switch offers a snappy and feathery experience. Its responsiveness and light actuation force reduce finger fatigue, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Phoenix switch, on the other hand, is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish. This results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Iceberg switch also mentions a subtle typing feel and appropriate sound signature for shared spaces. Again, the specific feel of the Phoenix switch is not mentioned, so we cannot directly compare the two switches in this aspect.
Based on the available information, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and Outemu Phoenix clicky switch offer different qualities in terms of feel and sound. The Iceberg switch provides a smooth and two-stage spring feel, while its sound profile is clacky and high-pitched. The Phoenix switch offers a unique under-skirt click mechanism, resulting in a crunchy sound. Overall, both switches seem to have unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience, but without more specific information, it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the two. However, if you enjoy a smooth feel and a satisfying sound, the Iceberg switch may provide similar results to the Phoenix switch.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're looking for a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a light bottom out force, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch is the way to go. These switches are known for their smoothness and the two-stage spring provides a fulfilling feel. The Iceberg switches produce a clacky and high-pitched sound, which can be crisp and bright. Additionally, the Iceberg switches offer a snappy and feathery feel, making them perfect for those long gaming or typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique clicky switch with a medium bottom out force, the Outemu Phoenix switch is a great choice. These switches feature an under-skirt click mechanism that provides a crystalline and sparkling type feel and sound profile. The Phoenix switches produce a crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. They also offer a polished and smooth typing experience, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, whether you choose the Aflion Iceberg or the Outemu Phoenix will depend on your preference for bottom out force and sound and feel profiles.
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