The BlackBerry KEY2 pairs the brand’s first dual-camera setup with a premium physical keyboard.
The BlackBerry KEY2 smartphone is now official after having been announced today at an event in New York. The KEY2 represents a continuation from the company’s KEYone smartphone, although TCL has made it clear the KEY2 is vastly different from the KEYone – due to the number of “firsts” that have been included this time around. Of course, one element that remains unchanged from the KEYone, and likely the most iconic and identifiable trait of a BlackBerry phone (Android or otherwise) is the inclusion of a physical keyboard. Something which inevitably shapes other aspects of the phone, such as the display, its functionality, and overall design.
Besides the keyboard and its knock-on effects, other areas where the KEY2 hopes to excel in is the camera department and security. The latter of which is another common aspect when it comes to BlackBerry-branded smartphones with security now positioned as one of the key selling points for the brand. As a result, you can expect many of the usual security-focused features, along with a few BlackBerry-specific ones as well. In addition to confirming the specs, design, and unique functionalities, TCL has also confirmed availability and pricing for its latest keyboard-centric smartphone, the BlackBerry KEY2.
BlackBerry KEY2 Specs
Like its predecessor, the BlackBerry KEY2 is a mid-range smartphone fueled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 64-bit octa-core processor (clocked at 2.2 GHz). The device sports a Corning Gorilla Glass 3-protected 4.5-inch 1620 x 1080 IPS LCD display, resulting in a 3:2 display aspect ratio, and a 434 PPI. The phone’s physical QWERTY keyboard is backlit, and features an integrated fingerprint scanner. On the back of the phone, you will find two 12-megapixel cameras, and a quad-tone LED flash. The phone’s main camera setup is capable of recording 4K video at 30fps, while the main sensor has 1.28um pixels, and comes with an f/1.8 aperture lens. The secondary lens offers 1.0um pixels, and a f/2.6 aperture lens. An 8-megapixel camera sits on the front, and comes with a selfie flash, and is capable of recording full HD video at 30fps.
Android 8.1 (Oreo) comes pre-installed on the BlackBerry KEY2, while the device is powered by a non-removable 3,500 mAh capacity battery. In addition, the KEY2 supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also included in the package, as is 6GB of RAM and 64GB / 128GB of storage (expandable up to 256GB via a microSD card). Both single and dual SIM version of the phone have been announced, and the KEY2 supports a wide array of 4G LTE bands with listed support for India, China, Canada, Europe, and the US. This handset comes with HD Audio for improved audio playback, and a USB Type-C port for charging. In terms of the physical properties, the BlackBerry KEY2 measures 151.4 x 71.8 x 8.5 mm, although its weight is still unknown.
BlackBerry KEY2 Hardware & Design
BlackBerry is easily an iconic name in the smartphone industry and just as much as the name BlackBerry is iconic, the design of the BlackBerry KEY2 is being touted as an iconic design, one that is recognizable and indicative of a device carrying the name. It also looks similar to the BlackBerry KEYone, which is no doubt part of the design choices made by the team who created the look for the new phone. BlackBerry Mobile says the KEY2 is “deliberately designed for today’s modern smartphone user,” and although the design is being hailed as iconic, it’s also being represented as a forward advancement in the series, one that is in a sense, evolutionary – which also suggests that there may be future KEY devices following the KEY2.
As this is a KEY device, the most prominent design focuses are going to revolve around the keys, and by association the keyboard. BlackBerry Mobile has updated the keyboard to make typing on the go easier, more fluid, and just feel overall better compared to the previous version. This includes raising the height of the keys on the keyboard by 20-percent which is said to help typing feel more comfortable. There’s also a new key to interact with which will help users access shortcuts more quickly. This is called the Speed Key, and as the name suggests it’s entirely for the purpose of making it faster to launch apps and other actions on the device. Speed is not just about going fast, but also about efficiency, and for BlackBerry users, efficiency is likely to be a key factor in why they choose this device. That’s what the Speed Key aims to present the user with.
Just like last year’s KEYone, the BlackBerry KEY2 will come in a matte black finish in addition to the silver model, meaning consumers will have more than one option for personalization. The device is also built with materials that give it a somewhat durable yet sleek look. The frame, for example, is built with series 7 aluminum, and the back is made from a soft touch material for added grip, while the diamond pattern on it adds a bit of style to the overall design of the phone. Rounding out the materials used, the KEY2 has a scratch-resistant display made with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass, and providing users with a screen that is mostly edge-to-edge. Between the use of the series 7 aluminum and the soft touch back, display, and even the dual rear-facing camera (which is a first for BlackBerry devices in general), BlackBerry says the KEY2 has a cleaner look and feel without having to sacrifice on durability.
BlackBerry KEY2 Cameras
The KEY2 is the first-ever BlackBerry device to be equipped with a dual-camera setup, featuring two 12-megapixel sensors which promise faster autofocusing, improved white balance, more effective stabilization, and better versatility compared to the KEYone. The main sensor has a pixel size of 1.28 microns and sits behind an f/1.8 lens capable of capturing a 79.3-degree field of view. The supporting module comes with a standard pixel size of 1 micron, featuring an f/2.8 lens with a 50-degree FOV mounted on top of it. The setup supports HDR and 4K video recording at 30 frames per second, utilizes a dual-LED (dual-tone) flash unit, and is generally the best imaging system TCL delivered ever since taking over the BlackBerry smartphone brand early last year. The front camera of the KEY2 uses an 8-megapixel sensor, supports LCD flash, and can record 1080p videos at 30fps, thus being on par with most other selfie modules in the mid-range price bracket.
BlackBerry KEY2 Battery
Batteries are likely the least evolved component for smartphones, at least in the sense that they still use the same exact battery types that they did years ago. However they do come with new features from time to time and the BlackBerry KEY2 is giving users a taste of that. One of the big focuses with smartphones these days is intelligence, and the KEY2 is offering users a more intelligent battery to assist them in making sure the device is always charged up and ready to use when they need it the most. This new intelligent battery feature works in such a way that it learns from the charging habits of the device owner, so that down the line it can eventually recommend the best times to charge up the battery. While there’s nothing wrong with plugging the device in even if it doesn’t really need much of a charge, that may still be a waste of ten to twenty minutes for some people. Now with the KEY2, users can be alerted to an opportune time for charging and potentially avoid using up a time during the day.
This is of course helped by the inclusion of battery that has a large capacity in the first place as the KEY2 comes with a 3,500 mAh capacity battery. So in addition to the user knowing the best times to plug the device in, they’ll also have a lot of battery life to begin with. Quick Charge 3.0 support is also present which is going to ensure that the battery charges up quickly. Speaking of long battery life, BlackBerry Mobile and TCL boast the KEY2 should be able to sustain owners for around two days. This, in and of itself, is nothing revolutionary as many devices from tons of brands have claimed to offer two-day battery life to users, but all the same this is still a noteworthy trait for anyone who decides the KEY2 is the device for them as the suggestion here is battery life is not one of the main concerns KEY2 owners will have to contend with. In addition, the KEY2 also uses USB Type-C for charging and data transfer, and while this isn’t directly a battery trait, it ties into the battery as USB Type-C is yet another element that will help with faster charge times. Whether or not there is anything revolutionary with the battery, it’s clear that the KEY2 was designed to be for the user who values battery life as one of the most important parts of the device.
BlackBerry KEY2 Security
BlackBerry Mobile has gone all out with security on the KEY2, which is to be expected, given that is what made the BlackBerry brand popular. The KEY2 includes the DTEK app which has a suite of security and privacy features available to keep users safe. This is an application that BlackBerry developed with the sole purpose of making it easier for users to secure their smartphone. DTEK shows users at a glance how secure their device is, and what they can do to make it even more secure, with a score. With DTEK you can do things like viewing which apps are accessing your information and manage app permissions. New with the KEY2, the DTEK app also includes a new Proactive Health check, this allows the user to scan the device for potential vulnerabilities and keep the device safe. BlackBerry has also improved Locker this time around. Locker allows users to keep certain photos and documents secured behind a password. So if you have work-related documents on your phone, you can keep them safe on the KEY2. The Locker app can only be accessed with a fingerprint or a passcode.
The BlackBerry KEY2 is also in the Android Enterprise Recommended program. This allows business owners to buy the KEY2 for employees and not have to worry about any security issues, as the KEY2 is one of the most secure Android smartphones on the market. Being part of this program means that BlackBerry is pushing out timely security updates, at least one major operating system update, and it has business-ready hardware features. BlackBerry is also announcing that the KEY2 supports Android’s zero-touch enrollment, that makes it easier for large organizations to manage corporate-owned mobile devices. This is important for larger corporations that have hundreds of corporate-owned smartphones on its network, as the IT department is able to push out updates, new apps, and such, much easier. Those that are worried about being tracked while browsing the web, BlackBerry has included the Mozilla Firefox Focus web browser, which is a private web browser that doesn’t track users. BlackBerry has not included facial recognition here, and that is likely because it is not that secure – and that’s what BlackBerry is going for. But there is a fingerprint sensor, and it is still in the space bar like it was on the predecessor to the KEY2. This means you can use your fingerprint to secure your device, which is going to be much more intuitive and easier than using a passcode or password.
BlackBerry KEY2 Variants
The BlackBerry KEY2 comes in two different variants, though both of them ship with 6GB of RAM. The more affordable KEY2 variant features 64GB of storage, while the more expensive model will get you 128GB of storage. In addition to offering different storage setups, BlackBerry also announced that both single SIM and dual SIM BlackBerry KEY2 models will be available, and their availability will be market-dependent. Aside from these differentials, and different regional 4G LTE band support, consumers can expect to see the same design and specs on all BlackBerry KEY2 options.
BlackBerry KEY2 Availability
TCL will begin shipping the BlackBerry KEY2 this month, globally. With the price set for $649 in the US, $829 in Canada, €649 in Europe, and £579 in the UK. Other markets were not mentioned. For the US, carriers were also not mentioned, so the BlackBerry KEY2 is likely going to be available as an unlocked smartphone, and not a carrier smartphone. So far there has been no word on pre-orders, though it is expected they will open soon enough.
BlackBerry KEY2 Gallery
