TCL launched the BlackBerry KEY2 yesterday at events in New York and China, featuring an iconic BlackBerry physical keyboard and a lot of upgrades from the BlackBerry KEYone.
Users in the UAE wanting the Android-powered device with a physical keyboard, will be pleased to know that the device will begin shipping in the UAE later this month for 2,399 and 2,699 AED.
Users can pre-order the BlackBerry KEY2 in both 64GB and 128GB variants. The 64GB BlackBerry KEY2 is available in silver and black, while only the the Black 128Gb model is available to pre-order. All devices are Dual-Sim. We have no idea why the Black 64Gb model is not currently available. While the BlackBerry KEY2 Silver with 64GB, costs AED 2399, the 128GB BlackBerry KEY2 Black costs AED 2,699. Both prices are inclusive of VAT.
Interestingly, that is only AED 300 of a difference, which is around £62 and $82 USD. Considering this is for the 128GB model AND dual-sim, it will be interesting to see if these prices translate here in the UK.
Currently, you can pre-order from Axiom, Jumbo, and Souq. Axiom and Souq state availability from Saturday 30th June and 1st July, respectively.
Running the latest Android 8.1 Oreo operating system, the BlackBerry KEY2 is the first ever BlackBerry smartphone to feature a dual-rear camera. It also includes the introduction of Speed Key, a universal shortcut key that now makes it possible to instantly access the apps, contacts and functions you use most from anywhere on your device at any time.
BlackBerry Key2 Specs
| Operating System | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Display | 4.5-inch, 1620×1080 IPS LCD 434ppi 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Octa-Core 2.2 GHz x 4 + 1.8GHz x 4 Adreno 512 GPU |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB (Black and Silver) 128GB (Black) |
| Expandable | microSD up to 256GB |
| Rear Camera | Dual Camera 12M (1.28um, F1.8) + 12M (1.0um, F2.6) with Dual Tone LED Flash HDR, 4K video recording at 30 fps Scan, Private Capture |
| Front Camera | 8MP Fixed Focus Selfie flash 1080p/30 video |
| Battery | 3500 mAh non-removable |
| Charging | USB-C Compatible with USB Power Delivery 2.0 v1.2 & 9V2A 18W Quick Charge 3.0 Chargers |
| Water resistance | No |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Security | DTEK security suite FIPS 140-2 Full Disk Encryption Android For Work, Google Play for Work |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, OTDOA FM Radio, 4G Mobile Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, USB OTG |
| BBF100-1 – EU, Africa, AU, Japan | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/19/20/26/28/32 TD-LTE Band 38/39/40/41 |
| BBF100-2 – Canada, US, LATAM | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/20/28/29/30/66 TD-LTE Band 38/39/40/41 |
| BBF100-4 – China | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/20/26/28 TD-LTE Band 34/38/39/40/41 CDMA Band BC0 |
| BBF100-6 (Dual SIM version) – ME, APAC, India, Indo | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/19/20/26/28/32 TD-LTE Band 38/39/40/41 |
| Dimensions | 151.4mm x 71.8mm x 8.5mm |
| Weight | 168g |
