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BlackBerry KEY2
BlackBerry KEY2
BlackBerry KEY2
BlackBerry KEY2
...


7.4/10
Informr score
The BlackBerry KEY2 currently has an Informr score of 7.4 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 65 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

Undeniably one of the best BlackBerry releases yet, the value of the phone is ultimately determined on your opinion about physical keyboards. While the keyboard separates this phone from the pack, you can find a better value on other features elsewhere.

What's good

  • Clicky, physical keyboard
  • Great security options
  • All-day battery life
  • microSD support
  • Grippy, sturdy design

What's bad

  • Odd screen resolution
  • Dim display
  • So-so camera
  • Price

The smartphone era hasn’t been kind to BlackBerry. Since their partnership with TCL, they’ve tried to bring the BlackBerry experience into the age of touchscreens with little success. The KEY2 is their latest release and looks to improve upon the response to the KEYone and make the BlackBerry a contender in the productivity-centric market. 

The phone features a rigid aluminum frame with a soft-grip rear coating. Reviewers found the phone pleasant in the hand with plenty of grip and easy access to the various buttons around the side. However, some questioned the balance of the phone. 

Around front, you’ll find a 4.5-inch 1080p IPS display with full QWERTY keyboard. Reviewers found the display offered plenty of detail but fell behind many similarly priced phones in terms of color, contrast, and overall brightness. While it’s plenty for emails and productivity, the screen isn’t ideal for media consumption or gaming due to the odd 3:2 aspect ratio. 

Opinions on the keyboard varied. CrackBerry said, “The KEY2 keyboard, in my opinion, is among one of the best BlackBerry keyboards ever built on a BlackBerry smartphone.” Still, other reviewers found it hard to use and inaccurate. 

It likely comes down to your keyboard preferences. Still, when it comes to phones with physical keyboards, the KEY2 is one of the most powerful options available. If you like a clicky keyboard, with low-profile keys, you’ll likely be impressed. But if you’re looking for the chunky BlackBerry keyboards of the past, you’ll be disappointed.

In terms of processing power, TCL went with an octa-core 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 660 processor paired with 6GB of RAM. This provides smooth app switching, and respectable, stutter-free performance in most productivity-based apps, social media, or other daily tasks. But for gaming, the phone falls flat. 

Depending on the variant, you’ll find either 64 or 128GB of internal storage. This is plenty for most users. But should you need more space, microSD support up to 256GB makes expanding storage easy and affordable.

The phone runs a nearly stock version of Android 8.1 Oreo with the usual addition of BlackBerry apps. Reviewers found some apps great -- such as the granular privacy options in the DTEK app and the built-in file browser -- and others a bit underwhelming -- such as BlackBerry Messenger. However, the bloat is in line (if not better) than most of the competition.

While BlackBerry has never been known for its cameras, the 12MP dual lens rear camera with 2x optical zoom performed well in decent lighting. Reviewers found it confusing that the auto-focus feature was disabled by default. And the low-light performance is hit or miss. But it was capable of taking balanced, detailed outdoor shots and portraits.

There’s also a front-facing 8MP lens with a flash for selfies. As expected, it doesn’t compete with the rear shooter in terms of image quality but allows for respectable snapshots for social sharing or plenty of quality for video chat.

The phone’s 3500mAh battery will last a full day with ease on a single charge. If you’re a light to moderate phone user, you might even squeeze two days out of a single charge -- an accomplishment even compared to 2018’s flagship phones. When you need to top up, the USB Type-C charging and Quick Charge 3.0 support mean you won’t need to wait long.

Pricing was the biggest complaint from reviewers. The phone is priced like a flagship but has specs firmly in the mid-tier bracket. And the focus on productivity puts the phone in a very specific niche. As an everyday phone for the average person, it might not compete. But for someone looking to get things done, manage schedules, dive into social media, or use their phone as a work-centric device, it offers tools and a format that few phones can match.

CrackBerry sums this up well saying, “It's not going to cater to everyone, that's just the nature of QWERTY devices...” The Verge was more skeptical, saying, “The very thing that makes the KEY2 a BlackBerry is the same thing that keeps the Key2 from competing in a modern smartphone world. A BlackBerry needs a keyboard, but no one needs a keyboard on a smartphone in 2018.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.2 GHz
4.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4.5"
12+ MP, f/1.8
Camera
Camera
12+ MP, f/1.8
3500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


CrackBerry
CrackBerry

If you're in the market for a BlackBerry smartphone, the KEY2 should be on your list alongside the BlackBerry KEY2 LE. Despite not carrying the higher-end specs of some flagships, the KEY2 has proven to be a great all-around workhorse entirely capable of helping you get through your days. It's not j...

- CrackBerry Kevin and BLA1ZE, CrackBerry
Ausdroid
Ausdroid

My main concerns are the lack of Android 9 Pie (or a commitment to deliver said update), and the lacklustre camera performance. Even as a BYOD device for work, the Key2 might be a bit too much of a compromise for users that – these days – typically look for some combination of longer battery life, a...

- Alex Dennis, Ausdroid
GSMArena
GSMArena

The Red Edition also brings a software enhancement. The Hub+ app gets an Action bar with vital, easy to reach shortcuts – search, sort and compose. BB also redesigned the Hub and Calendar apps with a more modern look.

- Peter, GSMArena
What Mobile
What Mobile

BlackBerry is one of those funny brands that has risen and fallen from glory in the past decade or so. Now that TCL has taken over, you’d imagine nostalgia and wrong turns would be worked out and rectified. But this is not the case, and the physical keyboard is still there with a lot of painful atte...

- What Mobile
Techaeris
Techaeris

As with the KEYone, the BlackBerry KEY2 is definitely a niche product for those who prefer to focus on productivity and security. Well built and with great productivity and security features, the KEY2 is definitely a solid choice for the business professional.

- Jason Bouwmeester, Techaeris


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry KEY2 user manual here.


BlackBerry backs up the KEY2 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your KEY2 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
4.5"

The BlackBerry KEY2's screen size is 4.5 inches with 1080 x 1620 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 Octa core 2.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system (OS).

Camera
12+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 12+ MP, f/1.8 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
64/128 GB

Internal memory is 64/128 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3500 mAh battery. BlackBerry's performance ratings are 1740 minutes, 708 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

BlackBerry KEY2 Specs

Overview
Release Date June 26, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 8.1 Oreo

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 Octa core 2.2 GHz
Internal Storage 64/128 GB
RAM 6 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.72 W/kg
Body: 1.68 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels, f/1.8
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, Dual camera feature (12 MP 2nd camera, f/2.6), HDR
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1620 pixels
Pixel Density 433 pixels
Size 4.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3500 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 753 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 708 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 669 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1740 minutes
Standby Time Up to 20 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, Gray, Red
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.1 x 7.2 x 0.8 cm (5.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 in)
Weight 165 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY, Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): BlackBerry BBF100-1, BBF100-2, BBF100-6, BBF100-4
Related Links Manual (PDF)
BlackBerry KEY2 Reviews
Where to buy BlackBerry KEY2
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