Hands On: BlackBerry Unveils the More Affordable Key2 LE

BERLIN—BlackBerry knows what its fans want. After the launch of the BlackBerry KeyOne last year and the BlackBerry Key2 in June, the new Key2 LE joins its 2 precedessors in sticking to the basics of what really appeals to BlackBerry users—the keyboard.

Announced here at the IFA tech trade testify, the BlackBerry Key2 LE varies slightly in design and hardware merely boasts the device elements for which BlackBerry is known: privacy and security.

Interestingly, BlackBerry didn't feel the need to endeavour something dramatically unlike with the LE. The rumored no-keyboard BlackBerry device and the fifty-fifty more unlikely Palm device were nowhere in sight. Several months subsequently launch, the Key2 can be found in most of BlackBerry's core markets and should exist available in all of them by late September. In that location's also been increased device deployment and enterprise involvement in the business-to-business (B2B) space.

Design and Features

The Key2 LE is intended to build off the success of the Key2 and broaden BlackBerry's appeal by acting as an entry point for new customers and markets. That means in both blueprint and price, the LE is the more than affordable, less premium version of the Key2.

The lighter weight and plastic build does make information technology seem a little less durable, but the Key2 LE nevertheless has a pane of Gorilla Glass on the front. The dorsum is grippy, and felt quite comfortable in my mitt. Dimensions are by and large the aforementioned as the Key2, significant information technology can be a little wide if you're trying to use it with ane paw. The 4.5-inch 1080p screen is abrupt and adequately bright, though information technology may be reflective in straight sunlight. The screen certainly reflected the light in the brightly lit room in which I gave the smartphone a spin.

About other physical features are the same. Yous get the aforementioned buttons in the same location, including the programmable function central on the side, which by default is mapped to Google Assistant with a single press or Google Lens with a double press. Unlike Samsung with Bixby, functions aren't difficult-coded so you can remap information technology to the app of your choice.

The keyboard is approximately fifteen percent larger than the KeyOne's, and has the same easy-to-press angled keys as the Key2. I found the typing feel to exist comfortable. Each primal is individually programmable through new Speed Key functionality, which enables shortcut access from anywhere on the device at any fourth dimension.

Where the Key2 has an almost industrial look, with sides of machined aluminum and a weighty feel, the Key2 LE is more lightweight and has a bit more than flair. It comes in several colors with a ring of bright cherry-red (BlackBerry calls information technology atomic), champagne, and more standard silvery running along the sides and in the seams between the keys. The dorsum is notwithstanding padded with a soft touch cease and stylish, but the new color options are a nice departure from the conservative, professional blueprint on the Key2—especially for users who aren't going to use it for business.

The i omission here is the removal of the capacitive gestures that allowed you lot to swipe on the keyboard for different functions. BlackBerry says it removed them considering most customers who might exist interested in the LE are more than cracking on using the keyboard itself rather than another side feature.

Photographic camera, Software, and Specs

The Key2 LE may non compromise too much when it comes to most concrete features, just it is scaled dorsum in specs. Information technology'south powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor and comes with 4GB of RAM rather than the 660 scrap and 6GB of RAM y'all go on the Key2.

The two storage options are 32GB and 64GB models. You'll find a 3,000mAh bombardment under the hood (charged by USB-C) with some added "intelligent" software features that can provide contextual reminders to accuse information technology. For instance, the phone will proceed track of your calendar so information technology can remind you to charge when yous have events coming up. The Key2 LE volition also refrain from reminders when the device knows you'll be using it.

There'south too Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging with the included adapter. BlackBerry says customers tin get 22 hours of battery life out of the Key2 LE under standard usage, but we'll put information technology to our more intensive streaming test back in the PC Labs to come across how it does.

We more often than not weren't likewise impressed by the camera on the Key2, and information technology doesn't look like the LE will change much in that regard. However, it is worth noting that BlackBerry added Portrait and Slo-Mo modes in the LE.

In that location's a 13MP and 5MP rear sensor, which took okay shots in terms of clarity and colour reproduction when tested in the brightly lit room during our hands on. Launching the camera app felt a bit tedious and took a couple seconds to snap photos. The Key2 LE too doesn't seem like it'll practice too well in lower light settings, but we'll reserve judgment for more thorough testing.

Software should be more or less identical to the Key2. That means you get a device running Android 8.i Oreo with an update to Android Pie promised.

In addition, BlackBerry has some of its own custom apps and software including the DTEK security dashboard app and Locker, which helps you manage device security and status. Locker is peculiarly interesting because you lot can 'lock" various apps, hiding them from access until an boosted fingerprint unlock or pin lawmaking is entered. If you have selfies on the risque side, you lot can put photos in Locker and proceed them from being synced to the cloud.

BlackBerry's Midrange Smartphone Play

BlackBerry may call the Key2 LE entry-level, only information technology's closer to what we'd consider midrange in the unlocked market.

The 32GB Key2 LE should showtime at $399, while the 64GB version should come up in at $449. That puts information technology in the same range with the midrange Moto G6 and just shy of higher-end unlocked phones like the OnePlus 6. Most notably, the Key2 LE comes in at a more palatable toll point for Us consumers who tend to buy phones from carriers and only buy cheaper unlocked devices

The real sales for the Key2 LE may not come up from average consumers, but from businesses. The LE is geared toward plumbing equipment the budgets of finance and police firms that may want to equip their entire management level with a range BlackBerry devices. For case, senior management might get the more costly Key2 while junior managers go the LE.

Regardless, we're looking frontwards to putting the BlackBerry Key2 LE to more comprehensive testing and will update as nosotros discover more details on LTE bands and carrier availability. Stay tuned for more.