ShengShou Phoenix 3x3x3

ShengShou Phoenix 3x3x3

From the outside it's hard to tell it's a 3x3 cube, but that's exactly the mechanism working inside. ShengShou Phoenix 3x3x3 is a shape mod, a puzzle with a modified shape. After just a few moves it no longer looks like a cube and turns into an irregular shape. Some sellers offer it under the name Birds Adoring the Phoenix.

Three colors instead of six

Unlike most cubes, the Phoenix has only three colors, one for each layer. When solved, it looks like a three-layer sandwich. Fewer colors means fewer pieces to track, so it's easier to solve than typical shape mods with a full color scheme. The version we offer is stickerless, so the colors are in the plastic itself and you don't have to worry about stickers wearing off.

How to solve it

It's solved the same way as a classic 3x3 cube and the Fisher Cube. If you can solve a regular 3x3, you don't need any new algorithms. You just have to get used to the fact that once scrambled, the pieces have different shapes and the puzzle loses its regular form. That's where the fun lies. If you already know the Fisher Cube and other shape mods, you may find the Phoenix fairly simple. It works best as your first shape mod or as an addition to your collection.

Mechanism

Turning is smooth right out of the box. Some users notice a slightly sandy feeling during the first few solves, which goes away after a few solves. Tension is adjusted with screws. The Phoenix is not a cube for breaking records and is not allowed in official competitions. It's a puzzle for casual solving, not for speedcubing practice.

Who is it for?

For anyone who can already solve a 3x3 cube and wants to try something different without learning a new method. It also makes a great gift for a child who has mastered the classic cube and is looking for the next challenge.

Specifications

Manufacturer: ShengShou
Type: shape mod based on a 3x3 mechanism
Colors: stickerless, 3 colors (one per layer)
Size: approx. 58 mm
Weight: approx. 93 g
Adjustment: tension adjustment screws
Release year: 2018

In the box

1. puzzle