BlackBerry KEY2 LE Ultimate Guide to Specs Pricing and Features

BlackBerry KEY2 LE Overview

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE, announced in August 2018 and released in October of the same year, is a smartphone that combines classic BlackBerry elements with modern Android capabilities. It offers an appealing blend of physical keyboard functionality with a touchscreen interface, which is a hallmark of the BlackBerry line of devices.

Design and Build

The KEY2 LE measures 150.3 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm, making it quite compact compared to many other smartphones in the market. It weighs just 156 grams, facilitating portability and ease of use with one hand. The device is constructed with a glass front protected by Gorilla Glass, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, giving it both durability and a premium feel. One of its standout features is the QWERTY keyboard, catering to those who prefer tactile feedback over touchscreen typing. Additionally, it offers options for a single SIM or a hybrid dual SIM card arrangement, adding to its flexibility.

Display

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1620 pixels, delivering a pixel density of approximately 434 ppi. Despite being smaller than many modern smartphones, the display offers vivid and sharp image quality. The 3:2 aspect ratio, combined with the physical keyboard, is designed to enhance productivity and communication.

Performance

Under the hood, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE is powered by the Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 chipset, built on the 14 nm process. It includes an octa-core processor with four cores clocking at 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and four cores at 1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver, coupled with an Adreno 509 GPU. With 4GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking efficiently. Though not the most powerful on the market, it is competent for everyday tasks and moderate use.

Operating System and Software

The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo, providing a reliable and smooth user experience. BlackBerry has integrated additional security features and productivity tools to enhance user safety and efficiency, maintaining its reputation for offering secure communication and privacy controls.

Camera Capabilities

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE offers a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 13 MP primary lens with an aperture of f/2.2 and a 5 MP depth sensor with an aperture of f/2.4. The camera setup includes features like dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama mode, supporting 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps. For selfies, it houses an 8 MP front camera capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps.

Battery Life

The device is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery. It offers satisfactory battery life, sufficient to last through a day with moderate use, thanks to its energy-efficient processor and smaller display size.

Storage and Memory

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE comes with two storage options: 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, both coupled with 4GB of RAM. Additionally, it supports microSDXC cards, using a shared SIM slot, for expandable storage, making it adaptable to users who require more space for apps and multimedia.

Connectivity and Communication

The device supports numerous connectivity options, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies for mobile data. It is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port that supports OTG. The inclusion of GPS and GLONASS ensures accurate positioning, and it features an FM radio for additional media consumption.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio output, the KEY2 LE has a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack—an increasingly rare feature in modern smartphones. These options provide versatility for audio playback and communication.

Sensors and Additional Features

The smartphone includes a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, contributing to its functional and secure design. These sensors enable easy and secure phone access and improve the overall user experience.

Variants and Pricing

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE is available in several color options: Slate, Champagne, and Atomic, providing choices for users to select based on their style preference. Models include BBE100-4, BBE100-5, BBE100-1, and BBE100-2. As of its release, the price was around 440 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range device with unique features catering to a niche market.