TCL has officially unveiled the BlackBerry Key2 as a sequel to last year’s BlackBerry KeyOne. As expected, the Key2 continues with the tradition of a trademark BlackBerry QWERTY keypad, and is the first BlackBerry-branded smartphone to come with dual rear cameras. It also has a customizable ‘Speed Key’ button for accessing apps, contacts, and other functions.
BlackBerry Key2 Hardware Specifications
A bunch of leaks over the past few weeks revealed most of the details about the Key2, and just about all of them have turned out to be correct. Like its predecessor, the device doesn’t offer state-of-the-art hardware, even though it sports a premium price-tag. It runs Android 8.1 Oreo, and comes with the privacy-oriented Firefox Focus browser pre-installed.
| Display | 4.5-inch 1620×1080 IPS LCD |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 64/128GB, expandable via microSD card |
| Primary Camera | 12MP (f/1.8) + 12MP (f/2.6) with PDAF and dual tone LED flash |
| Secondary Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 3,500mAh |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo |
The Key2 features a 4.5-inch 1620×1080 LCD display, and is powered by the Snapdragon 660 SoC. It packs 6GB of RAM and offers either 64GB or 128GB of storage depending on the variant.
It also carries a 3,500 mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 3.0. On the imaging front, the phone ships with a dual-12MP camera setup on the rear, with one of the sensors used for the portrait mode as well as what the company is calling an “Optical Superzoom”. There’s also an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies and video chats.
TCL also says that it has improved the keyboard of its new smartphone when compared to the one on its predecessor. According to the company, the keys are now 20% taller, have better spacing, and also now have a matte finish on top instead of the glossy plastic used on the Keyone. The frame of the phone is built out of Series 7 aluminum, and it has a textured back, which we have seen in past models.
Pricing and Availability
The BlackBerry Key2 has been priced at $649 in the US and €649 in the EU. It will go up for pre-order this month in the US, Canada, the UK, UAE, China, Germany and France, with a wider global release expected next month.
