Blackberry KEY2 LE 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 LE is a smartphone that combines the nostalgia of a physical keyboard with the modern Android operating system. With its sleek design and durable build, this device offers a unique and stylish option for gadget enthusiasts. The 4.5-inch IPS LCD display provides a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, it delivers smooth performance and efficient multitasking. The dual-camera setup captures stunning photos and videos, while the 3000mAh battery ensures long-lasting usage. Available in different variants, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE offers a range of options to suit your needs. With a price starting at around 440 EUR, this device offers great value for money.

Design and Build Quality

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE features a sleek and stylish design that captures the essence of a classic BlackBerry device. With its compact dimensions of 150.3 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm and a weight of 156g, it is comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. The device sports a combination of materials, including a glass front with Gorilla Glass protection, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. This blend of materials provides a premium feel while maintaining durability.

The physical appearance of the KEY2 LE is characterized by its signature QWERTY keyboard, which offers both functionality and nostalgia for BlackBerry enthusiasts. The keys are well-spaced and provide a satisfying tactile feedback, allowing for efficient and accurate typing. The keyboard also serves as a touch-sensitive trackpad, enhancing the user experience.

In terms of ergonomics, the KEY2 LE is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The placement of the keyboard allows for a natural grip and ease of use. The device's compact size makes it easy to slide into pockets or bags without feeling bulky.

When it comes to durability and construction, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE is built to withstand daily wear and tear. The use of Gorilla Glass on the front provides protection against scratches and minor impacts, while the aluminum frame adds structural integrity. The plastic back not only contributes to the overall aesthetics but also ensures a lightweight design without compromising on durability.

Overall, the design and build of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE exude a sense of sophistication and reliability. Its physical appearance, with the iconic keyboard, sets it apart from other smartphones on the market. The choice of materials, ergonomic design, and attention to detail make it a comfortable and durable device for everyday use.

Display

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 55.6%. The display has a resolution of 1080 x 1620 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of around 434 ppi. With its 3:2 aspect ratio, the screen provides a taller and more productive space for viewing and interacting with content. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, although the specific version is not specified.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the display of the KEY2 LE offers decent performance. While it may not have the vibrant colors and deep blacks of OLED technology, the LCD display still provides good color reproduction. The brightness levels are adequate, allowing for comfortable viewing even under direct sunlight. The viewing angles are also decent, ensuring that content remains visible from various positions.

One notable feature of the display is the inclusion of an anti-reflective coating, which helps reduce glare and improve visibility in bright environments. This is particularly useful for outdoor usage. Additionally, the KEY2 LE does not feature a notch design, maintaining a more traditional display layout with noticeable bezels at the top and bottom.

Unfortunately, the KEY2 LE does not offer features such as a high refresh rate, HDR support, wide color gamut, or an always-on display. However, it does come with a blue light filter and adaptive brightness, which adjusts the display based on ambient lighting conditions.

Overall, the display of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE provides a satisfactory viewing experience with its decent color reproduction, adequate brightness levels, and anti-reflective coating. While it may not offer the latest display technologies seen in flagship devices, it still delivers a functional and usable screen for everyday tasks.

Performance

The Blackberry KEY2 LE boasts a solid performance with its Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 chipset and Adreno 509 GPU. The octa-core processor, consisting of 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, ensures efficient multitasking and smooth user experience. The chipset's performance is evident in benchmark tests, with the device scoring 116,764 on AnTuTu and 4,965 on GeekBench v4.4.

The GPU benchmarks of the Adreno 509 are impressive, delivering excellent graphics scores and enhancing the gaming capabilities of the device. Gamers can expect a satisfying gaming experience with this GPU, as it can handle demanding games with ease. The Blackberry KEY2 LE's gaming performance is further enhanced by its 4GB RAM, ensuring seamless gameplay and reducing lags.

In terms of processor efficiency, the Snapdragon 636 chipset proves to be highly optimized, offering speedy app loading speeds and lag-free performance. The CPU benchmarks indicate that the device can handle intensive tasks without compromising performance. The KEY2 LE's system optimization and thermal management contribute to its overall efficiency, allowing it to handle prolonged usage without overheating.

The Blackberry KEY2 LE's performance metrics are reflected in its synthetic benchmark scores, which highlight its capability to handle various tasks efficiently. The device excels in both CPU and GPU benchmarks, providing a well-rounded performance for users who engage in multitasking and demanding applications.

Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 LE offers a commendable performance that strikes a balance between efficiency and power. Its chipset and GPU ensure smooth multitasking, gaming capabilities, and a responsive user experience. The combination of optimized system performance and thermal management further enhances the device's overall performance. Whether users require high-performance gaming or seamless multitasking, the Blackberry KEY2 LE delivers a reliable and efficient performance.

Software and User Interface

The software of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE is based on the Android 8.1 (Oreo) operating system. BlackBerry has made some customizations to enhance the user experience and provide additional security features. One of the standout features of the software is the inclusion of the BlackBerry Hub, which consolidates all your messages, emails, and social media notifications into one centralized hub for easy management.

In terms of user-friendliness, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE offers a clean and intuitive interface. The QWERTY keyboard can be used as a touchpad, allowing for easier navigation and scrolling through menus. The keyboard also has customizable shortcuts, which can be assigned to frequently used apps or actions, making it even more convenient for users.

One aspect worth mentioning is the pre-installed apps on the device. BlackBerry has kept the number of pre-installed apps to a minimum, which is a welcome change compared to other smartphones that come with a lot of bloatware. This allows users to have more control over the apps they want to use and helps to keep the device clutter-free.

In terms of security, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE includes the DTEK security app, which provides real-time monitoring and alerts for potential security risks. It also includes a fingerprint sensor integrated into the space bar of the keyboard for added security and convenience.

Overall, the software of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE offers a user-friendly interface with some useful customizations and additional security features. The inclusion of the BlackBerry Hub and the customizable keyboard shortcuts enhance productivity, while the minimal pre-installed apps help to keep the device streamlined.

Camera

The Blackberry KEY2 LE features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13-megapixel primary camera with f/2.2 aperture and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. The primary camera captures images with good sharpness and detail in daylight photography, offering natural colors and a decent dynamic range. The camera also performs well in indoor and outdoor photography, producing vibrant and well-exposed shots. Thanks to its PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus), the camera focuses quickly and accurately, ensuring crisp and clear images.

In low-light conditions, the KEY2 LE's camera performs reasonably well, although noise becomes more noticeable. The camera employs noise reduction techniques to mitigate this issue, resulting in acceptable low-light sensitivity. The device also offers a night mode, allowing users to capture better-lit photos in challenging lighting conditions.

The camera app of the KEY2 LE comes with various features, including HDR, panorama mode, and a pro mode for manual adjustments. It also supports AI scene recognition, which automatically detects the scene and optimizes camera settings accordingly.

When it comes to video recording, the KEY2 LE can shoot up to 4K videos at 30fps. The device also offers video stabilization, ensuring smoother footage while reducing shakiness. Additionally, users can capture slow-motion videos and create time-lapse videos using the device's camera capabilities. The KEY2 LE supports various video formats, providing flexibility for users to choose their preferred format.

Overall, the camera of the Blackberry KEY2 LE offers a satisfactory photography experience, especially in well-lit conditions. While it may not compete with flagship smartphones in terms of image quality and low-light performance, it still delivers decent results for everyday photography needs.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Blackberry KEY2 LE offers a range of connectivity options to keep users connected on the go. It supports various network compatibility including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring reliable and fast data speeds. With its dual SIM capability (available in certain versions), users can easily manage two different phone numbers or use separate SIMs for personal and business purposes.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the KEY2 LE comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing users to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. This means faster and more stable internet connections, especially when connected to compatible Wi-Fi routers. The device also supports Bluetooth 5.0, offering improved connectivity range and faster data transfer speeds compared to previous Bluetooth versions.

For convenient file transfers and charging, the KEY2 LE features a USB Type-C 2.0 port. This versatile port enables fast data transfer and charging capabilities, making it easy to connect the device to a computer or other compatible devices.

Additionally, the device supports NFC (Near Field Communication), which allows for quick and secure payments, file transfers, and pairing with other NFC-enabled devices.

The KEY2 LE also includes GPS and GLONASS for accurate navigation and location tracking. This is particularly useful for mapping and navigation apps, ensuring users can easily find their way around.

Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 LE offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for staying connected and productive. Whether it's connecting to Wi-Fi networks, transferring files via USB, or making secure payments with NFC, the KEY2 LE provides a seamless and efficient connectivity experience.

Additional Features

The Blackberry KEY2 LE comes with a range of additional features that enhance its functionality and user experience. While it doesn't have any water resistance or dustproofing capabilities, it does offer expandable storage through a microSD card slot, allowing users to easily increase their device's storage capacity. The KEY2 LE also supports dual SIM functionality, enabling users to have two SIM cards active on the device simultaneously. In terms of sensors, the device is equipped with an accelerometer, which detects motion and orientation, and a gyroscope, which measures rotation and orientation. These advanced sensors contribute to a more immersive and interactive user experience. Although the KEY2 LE does not support wireless charging, it does come with a USB Type-C port for fast charging and data transfer. Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 LE offers a solid set of additional features that enhance its versatility and usability.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE is a unique smartphone that stands out in the market due to its physical QWERTY keyboard, a feature not commonly found in modern smartphones. When compared to other related devices in the market, such as the BlackBerry KEY2 and the BlackBerry Priv, the KEY2 LE offers a more affordable option without compromising on the essential features.

In terms of specifications, the KEY2 LE is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, which provides decent performance for everyday tasks. It comes with either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card. The 4.5-inch IPS LCD display offers a good pixel density of 434 ppi, providing sharp and vibrant visuals. The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo, ensuring access to a wide range of apps and services.

Compared to its competitors in the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the iPhone XR, the KEY2 LE may not offer the same level of flagship performance or camera capabilities. However, it differentiates itself by focusing on productivity and security, which are key strengths of BlackBerry devices. The physical keyboard provides a tactile typing experience, making it ideal for users who prefer a traditional keyboard over a touchscreen.

In terms of pricing, the KEY2 LE offers a more affordable option compared to its higher-end counterparts. This makes it an attractive choice for individuals who value the BlackBerry brand and its security features but have budget constraints.

While the KEY2 LE may not be the most powerful or feature-packed smartphone on the market, it offers a unique proposition with its physical keyboard and focus on productivity and security. Its competitive advantage lies in its ability to cater to a niche market that values these qualities. Overall, the KEY2 LE provides a good balance between functionality, affordability, and the BlackBerry brand's reputation for security.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Blackberry KEY2 LE offers a unique combination of a physical QWERTY keyboard and modern Android features. It delivers a solid performance with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset and 4GB of RAM. The compact size and lightweight design make it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The display and camera quality are decent, although not exceptional compared to some competitors in its price range. The battery life is satisfactory, lasting through a day of moderate usage. Overall, the Blackberry KEY2 LE is a suitable choice for those who value a physical keyboard and prioritize security features. However, for users seeking cutting-edge specifications and a larger display, other options may be more compelling.