A smart cube is a Rubik's Cube with sensors and Bluetooth inside. Every time you turn a face, the cube tells an app on your phone, and the app redraws that exact cube on the screen. This post explains what the cube knows, what the app can do, how to check for yourself whether the cube counts your turns correctly, and when one is worth buying.
We are not paid by any brand or shop. A cube model is only named when we have a source for it.
What is a smart cube?
From the outside, a smart cube looks like a normal speedcube. Inside there are sensors that record every turn, a battery, and a Bluetooth chip that sends those turns to a phone or tablet.
According to Wikipedia, GAN's first smart cube was the GAN 356 i, released in 2018, with sensors that track turns in real time. The brand has since released more versions with better grip, battery and tuning (Wikipedia). Besides GAN, the open-source library cubing.js lists smart cubes from GiiKER (Xiaomi), GoCube, HEYKUBE, QiYi, MoYu and Rubik's Connected (cubing.js).
The key point: a smart cube is still an ordinary Rubik's Cube. Switch Bluetooth off and you can still turn and solve it like any other cube.
What the cube knows and what it does not
Every smart cube sends turns: which face was just turned, and in which direction. But not every cube knows which way you are holding it. According to the table on cubing.js, GAN and GoCube cubes also send how the cube is held, while GiiKER, QiYi and HEYKUBE cubes only send turns (cubing.js).
What does that mean for you? When you turn the whole cube in your hands (to change which face is at the front), a cube without an orientation sensor does not notice. The app still counts the turns correctly, but the cube on the screen may be shown from a different side than the one you are looking at. This is our reading of the table above, not a measured result. If you want the app to guide you with instructions like "turn the right face up", pick a cube with an orientation sensor.
Four moves.
One at a time.
Tap each symbol and follow one piece. This is an exercise in watching the movement.
What can a smart cube app do?
Each brand has its own app, but the usual features are:
- Stats after every solve. According to Wikipedia, GAN's Cube Station app shows your move count, turns per second (TPS) and other numbers that help you find where you are still slow (Wikipedia).
- Step-by-step tutorials. Also according to Wikipedia, the app has interactive tutorials that break hard steps into small ones for beginners. SpeedCubeShop also mentions personalised guidance, challenges and games (SpeedCubeShop).
- Online competitions. For example, the product page for the QiYi AI cube at ZyO Rubik lists three play modes: solo, worldwide 1:1 battles and room competitions (ZyO Rubik).
If you can already solve the cube, the most useful feature is solve replay. The app remembers every turn you made, so you can see how long each step took without filming yourself.
Do smart cubes count turns accurately?
There is no single accuracy figure for every cube, and we did not find any reliable independent test. All we can say is this: if the cube misses a turn (usually when you turn very fast), the virtual cube on the screen will no longer match the real cube in your hand, and every stat after that will be wrong.
Cubing.js also notes that brands use their own Bluetooth protocols, deliberately hide them and change them without warning, and that GAN has versions that are not compatible with each other (cubing.js). In other words: the brand's own app usually supports the cube best, while third-party apps or websites may not recognise some versions.
Luckily you can check this yourself with just two short algorithms. Start with a solved cube and the app showing a solved cube. If the letters are new to you, see Rubik's Cube notation first.
Test 1: R U R' U' six times
The algorithm R U R' U' only uses two faces, so you can speed up bit by bit without changing your grip. Doing it once mixes up 7 pieces around the front right corner:
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
Do it 3 times in a row and the edges are back where they started, with only 4 corners still swapped around:
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
After 6 times, the real cube is solved again. Now look at the screen: the virtual cube should be solved too. If the virtual cube is still mixed up, the cube missed a turn or counted one too many. Repeat this a few times, turning faster each time, to find the speed at which your cube starts missing turns.
Test 2: R2 U2 six times
Double turns (half turns) are when a cube is most likely to miscount, because one R2 has to be recorded as two small turns in a row. This is our own view, so try it to find out. Doing R2 U2 once mixes up lots of pieces on the right and top faces:
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
After 3 times, only 4 edges are out of place:
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
After 6 times, the real cube is solved again, and the virtual cube should be too. If Test 1 passes but Test 2 fails, your cube is weak on double turns: when you solve, do double turns in one clean motion and do not stop halfway.
Battery and charging
Because it has electronics inside, a smart cube needs charging (or new batteries, depending on the model). Battery life varies a lot between models. For example, ZyO Rubik lists the QiYi AI cube's battery life as more than 800 hours (ZyO Rubik). That is the seller's figure and has not been checked independently. When buying, read carefully how the model you choose is charged.
Can you use a smart cube in WCA competitions?
No. Regulation 3a4 of the WCA Regulations (version of 1 April 2026) says clearly that a competition cube must not have electronic parts, for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, motors, sensors or lights (WCA Regulations). If you plan to compete, you still need a normal cube to bring to the competition. See also WCA Rubik's Cube competitions.
Smart cube prices in Vietnam
Here are three 3x3 models at ZyO Rubik, checked on 10 October 2026. Prices may have changed by the time you read this:
| Model | Listed price | Note on the page |
|---|---|---|
| GAN Monster Go AI (square box) | 502,500 VND | Magnetic, "almost sold out" (ZyO Rubik) |
| QiYi AI Smart 2024 | 697,500 VND | 48 magnets, "almost sold out" (ZyO Rubik) |
| GAN i3 | 2,272,500 VND | Magnetic, temporarily out of stock (ZyO Rubik) |
Even the cheapest model in the table costs several times as much as a normal magnetic beginner cube.
Should you buy a smart cube?
Our opinion:
- You have never solved the cube: not yet. A cheap magnetic cube plus a guide with pictures is all you need to get started. Save the difference.
- You can solve it and want to know where you are slow: this is when a smart cube is most useful, thanks to the stats and solve replays.
- You are buying for a child: the app's tutorials and online battles help keep kids interested. Remember they will need a phone or tablet next to them.
- You plan to compete: you still need a normal cube, because smart cubes are not allowed in WCA competitions.
Before buying, make sure the brand's app runs on your phone, and if you can, do Test 1 and Test 2 above as soon as the cube arrives.
Got a cube? What next?
A smart cube will not solve itself for you. You still need a method. Start with how to solve a 3x3 Rubik's Cube for beginners, or follow EasyRubic's step-by-step guide, where every step has a picture:
- You start with (input)A scrambled cube
- Result you will get after finishing this stepWhite cross done
Once you can solve it, open the stats in the app after each solve: the step that takes the most turns is the one to practise first.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is a smart cube?
It is a Rubik's Cube with sensors and Bluetooth inside. The cube sends every turn to an app on your phone, where you can replay your solves, see stats and follow step-by-step tutorials.
Can a smart cube solve itself?
No. The cube has no motor, so you still turn it yourself. The app only tracks and guides.
Are smart cubes allowed in WCA competitions?
No. The WCA Regulations ban cubes with electronic parts such as Bluetooth or sensors (Regulation 3a4).
How do I know if my smart cube counts turns correctly?
From a solved cube, do R U R' U' 6 times, then R2 U2 6 times. The real cube will be solved again; the virtual cube on the screen should be solved too. If it is not, the cube missed a turn.
Should a beginner buy a smart cube?
Not yet if you have never solved the cube. A smart cube is most useful once you can solve it and want to know which step slows you down.
This information is based on competition results owned and maintained by the World Cube Association, published at worldcubeassociation.org/results as of 19.10.2026.