Blackberry KEY2 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Blackberry KEY2 is a sleek and sophisticated smartphone that seamlessly blends style and functionality. With its iconic QWERTY keyboard, this device pays homage to the classic Blackberry design while incorporating modern features. Its 4.5-inch IPS LCD display offers crisp visuals, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor ensures smooth performance. The 12MP dual rear camera allows for stunning photography, and the 8MP front camera captures perfect selfies. With a 3500mAh battery, it provides long-lasting power, and the USB Type-C port allows for fast charging. Available in black, silver, and red, the Blackberry KEY2 is a must-have for those seeking a unique and powerful smartphone experience. Prices start at around 500 EUR, and various versions cater to different regions.

Design and Build Quality

The Blackberry KEY2 boasts a sleek and premium design that exudes elegance. Its physical appearance is characterized by a combination of glass, plastic, and aluminum materials, which contribute to its overall durability and build quality. The device features a compact form factor with dimensions of 151.4 x 71.8 x 8.5 mm, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The back panel has a textured finish that enhances grip and adds a touch of sophistication to the device's aesthetics.

One of the standout design elements of the KEY2 is its iconic QWERTY keyboard, which is a hallmark of Blackberry smartphones. The capacitive touch 4-row keyboard not only provides a tactile typing experience but also adds a unique and distinctive feature to the device. The buttons and controls are well-placed and offer a satisfactory tactile feedback. The bezels surrounding the 4.5-inch IPS LCD display are relatively thin, giving the device a modern and stylish look.

In terms of sturdiness, the KEY2 features an aluminum frame that adds robustness and structural integrity to the device. The Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front ensures resistance against scratches and accidental drops. The device also offers good portability, weighing 168g, which makes it comfortable to carry around without feeling cumbersome.

Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 combines a sleek design with a premium look and feel. Its robust construction, ergonomic design elements, and attention to detail in the finishing touches make it a desirable gadget for those seeking a sophisticated and functional smartphone. The inclusion of the iconic QWERTY keyboard adds a distinct feature that sets it apart from other smartphones in the market.

Display

The BlackBerry KEY2 features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 1080 x 1620 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The display offers a pixel density of approximately 434 pixels per inch, ensuring sharp and detailed visuals. The use of LCD technology provides accurate color reproduction and good color vibrancy. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which adds durability and scratch resistance.

In terms of brightness levels, the KEY2 offers decent outdoor visibility, allowing users to comfortably use the device even in bright sunlight. The touch responsiveness of the display is smooth and precise, making it easy to navigate and type on the QWERTY keyboard.

While the KEY2 does not feature OLED technology, which is known for its deep blacks and vibrant colors, the IPS LCD display still delivers a satisfactory visual experience. The viewing angles are wide, ensuring that the content on the screen remains visible from different angles.

The display does not have a notch design, and the bezels around the screen are noticeable but not overly thick. The screen-to-body ratio is around 55.2%, which means that the display occupies a significant portion of the front panel.

The BlackBerry KEY2 does not support features like HDR or a wide color gamut, but it does offer an always-on display option, allowing users to glance at the time and notifications without fully waking up the device. Additionally, the phone includes a blue light filter and adaptive brightness, which help reduce eye strain and optimize the display for different lighting conditions.

Overall, the display of the BlackBerry KEY2 offers a good balance of size, resolution, and color accuracy, making it suitable for productivity tasks and multimedia consumption.

Performance

The Blackberry KEY2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, which offers solid performance and efficient power consumption. With its octa-core CPU consisting of 4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, the KEY2 delivers smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. Users can expect a lag-free performance and a smooth user experience while navigating through different applications.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Adreno 512 GPU provides decent graphics performance. The GPU benchmarks and gaming benchmarks indicate that the KEY2 can handle casual gaming with ease. While it may not be the best device for high-end gaming, it offers satisfactory gaming experience for most users. The graphics scores in synthetic benchmarks reflect the efficiency of the GPU in rendering graphics and delivering a visually pleasing experience.

The KEY2's processor efficiency and system optimization contribute to its overall performance. The CPU benchmarks and benchmark scores indicate that the Snapdragon 660 chipset performs well in various performance tests. The thermal management of the device ensures that it doesn't overheat during intensive tasks, maintaining consistent performance over extended periods.

The KEY2's performance metrics, such as AnTuTu and GeekBench scores, demonstrate its capability to handle demanding tasks and provide a smooth user experience. The device's multitasking performance is commendable, thanks to its 6GB of RAM, allowing users to switch between apps effortlessly.

Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 offers a solid performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Its chipset performance, GPU benchmarks, and CPU benchmarks prove its efficiency in delivering a smooth user experience. While it may not be a gaming powerhouse, it provides satisfactory gaming capabilities for most users. The KEY2's system optimization and thermal management ensure a lag-free performance and prevent overheating during intensive tasks.

Software and User Interface

The BlackBerry KEY2 runs on the Android 8.1 (Oreo) operating system, which provides a smooth and efficient user experience. The device comes with several pre-installed apps, including BlackBerry Hub, which consolidates all your emails, messages, and social media notifications in one place for easy access. Additionally, the BlackBerry KEY2 offers a range of productivity-focused apps such as the DTEK security suite, which ensures the device's security and privacy. The software also includes BlackBerry's iconic physical keyboard, which is highly customizable and allows for quick navigation and typing. Users can assign different functions to each key, such as launching apps or shortcuts, making it a highly efficient tool for multitasking. The interface is clean and user-friendly, providing easy access to essential settings and features. The device also offers a minimal amount of bloatware, ensuring that users have more control over their device's storage and performance. Overall, the software on the BlackBerry KEY2 enhances productivity and offers a seamless user experience with its customization options, pre-installed apps, and user-friendly interface.

Camera

The BlackBerry KEY2 comes with a dual-camera setup that offers a versatile photography experience. The main camera features a combination of 12-megapixel sensors with different apertures and focal lengths. The f/1.8 aperture lens captures more light, allowing for better low-light sensitivity and improved night photography. The f/2.6 aperture lens provides greater depth of field and is ideal for portrait mode shots with a pleasing bokeh effect. The camera also boasts features like dual-LED dual-tone flash and HDR for enhanced image quality in various lighting conditions.

During daylight photography, the camera produces sharp images with accurate colors and good dynamic range. It excels in capturing outdoor scenes, where the sensor size and image stabilization contribute to minimizing motion blur. For indoor photography, the camera performs well, producing images with low noise and good detail preservation.

In low-light conditions, the BlackBerry KEY2's camera performs admirably, thanks to its noise reduction capabilities and night mode feature. The camera can capture well-lit and clear images even in challenging lighting situations.

In terms of video recording, the KEY2 supports 4K video capture, allowing for high-resolution footage. The video stabilization feature ensures smooth footage by reducing shakiness, while the slow-motion and time-lapse modes add creativity to your videos. The camera's AI scene recognition helps optimize settings for different scenes, further enhancing the overall video quality.

Overall, the BlackBerry KEY2's camera offers a reliable and capable photography experience with its dual-camera setup, impressive low-light performance, and advanced features for both photos and videos.

Battery Life

The Blackberry KEY2 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 3500 mAh battery, which offers a decent amount of power to keep the device running throughout the day. The battery life is optimized to provide a good balance between performance and longevity. With its power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and the Android 8.1 (Oreo) operating system, the KEY2 ensures that the battery is used efficiently to maximize screen-on time and standby time. The device also supports fast charging with an 18W wired charger, allowing users to quickly recharge their device when needed. However, it does not support wireless charging options. The battery performance of the KEY2 is generally reliable, delivering a satisfactory battery backup for most users. With proper battery management and optimization features, the KEY2 offers a good battery life experience. Users can also take advantage of the battery saver mode to extend battery endurance during low-power situations. Overall, the battery of the Blackberry KEY2 is well-suited for daily usage and provides a satisfactory battery capacity for most users' needs.

Connectivity and Networking

The Blackberry KEY2 offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports 4G LTE network compatibility, ensuring fast and reliable data speeds for browsing the internet, streaming videos, and downloading files. The device also comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac support, allowing you to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. This ensures a stable and speedy internet connection when you are within range of a Wi-Fi network.

Bluetooth 5.0 is available on the KEY2, offering enhanced data transfer speeds and improved range compared to previous Bluetooth versions. This allows for seamless connection to other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also included, enabling quick and easy pairing with other NFC-enabled devices or for making contactless payments.

The device features a USB Type-C 3.0 port, which not only allows for fast charging but also enables data transfer between the KEY2 and other compatible devices. Additionally, the Blackberry KEY2 supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for increased convenience and flexibility.

GPS and GLONASS navigation systems are built-in, ensuring accurate positioning and navigation capabilities. The device also supports mobile hotspot functionality, allowing you to share your data connection with other devices. Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 provides a comprehensive range of connectivity options to meet your communication and internet needs.

Additional Features

The BlackBerry KEY2 comes with several standout features that make it a compelling choice for gadget enthusiasts. One notable feature is its durable construction, as it is built with a combination of Gorilla Glass 3, plastic back, and an aluminum frame. This ensures that the device is resistant to water and dust, although it does not have an official IP rating for waterproofing or dustproofing.

In terms of additional features, the BlackBerry KEY2 is equipped with a range of advanced sensors. These include an accelerometer, gyroscope, and proximity sensor, which enhance the device's functionality and user experience. Moreover, it supports NFC technology, allowing users to conveniently make wireless payments and connect with other NFC-enabled devices. However, it does not support wireless charging or Qi wireless charging.

Overall, the BlackBerry KEY2 offers a solid set of features that cater to users' needs for durability and advanced sensors. While it may not have water resistance or wireless charging capabilities, it remains a reliable and practical choice for those seeking a secure and efficient smartphone.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Blackberry KEY2 is a unique device in the market, offering a physical QWERTY keyboard that sets it apart from its competitors. When comparing the KEY2 to other related phones, it stands out as a niche product catering to those who prefer the tactile experience of a physical keyboard.

In terms of specifications, the KEY2 features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1620 pixels. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM, offering smooth performance for everyday tasks. The device also comes with either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD.

When compared to similar devices in the market, such as the iPhone SE or the Samsung Galaxy S10e, the KEY2's standout feature is its physical keyboard. While some may argue that a touchscreen keyboard is more versatile, the physical keyboard on the KEY2 provides a tactile typing experience that many find satisfying.

In terms of pricing, the KEY2 is positioned as a mid-range device, with a price tag of around 500 EUR. This places it in direct competition with devices such as the Google Pixel 4a and the OnePlus Nord. While these devices may offer more powerful specifications and larger displays, the KEY2's unique keyboard may appeal to a specific set of users who prioritize productivity and efficient typing.

When it comes to performance, the KEY2 holds its own with its Snapdragon 660 chipset. While it may not match the processing power of flagship devices like the iPhone 11 or the Samsung Galaxy S20, it offers a smooth and lag-free experience for day-to-day usage.

In terms of market share, the KEY2 faces tough competition from established smartphone manufacturers. However, its niche appeal and unique features give it a competitive advantage in the market. BlackBerry's reputation for security and privacy also sets it apart from its competitors.

Overall, the BlackBerry KEY2 offers a unique proposition in the smartphone market, catering to those who prioritize a physical keyboard and efficient typing experience. While it may not have the most powerful specifications or the largest display, its distinctive features and competitive pricing make it a compelling choice for a specific set of users seeking a productivity-focused device.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Blackberry KEY2 offers a unique proposition in the modern smartphone market. Its standout feature is undoubtedly the physical QWERTY keyboard, which provides a tactile typing experience that many users still prefer. The device also boasts a solid build quality with a combination of glass, plastic, and aluminum materials.

With a Snapdragon 660 processor and 6GB of RAM, the KEY2 delivers smooth performance for day-to-day tasks and multitasking. The 4.5-inch IPS LCD display is sharp and vibrant, although its aspect ratio may not be ideal for media consumption.

The camera setup, featuring dual 12MP lenses, delivers decent results but falls short compared to other flagship smartphones. However, the KEY2 excels in terms of security and privacy, with BlackBerry's renowned software enhancements.

Overall, the BlackBerry KEY2 is a compelling option for those seeking a physical keyboard and prioritizing security. It may not be the best choice for media-intensive users, but its unique features and solid performance make it worth considering for professionals and BlackBerry enthusiasts.