Only yesterday, we reported how a device code-named the BlackBerry Athena was seen on the website of China’s communications agency TENAA. While I’ve been calling it the KEYtwo (my opinion only), an image shared on Weibo by @TimEason indicates that the BlackBerry Athena will launch as the BlackBerry KEY².
One half of the photo shows the phone and the other shows a picture taken with the phone’s camera. While the first photo clearly shows that this is a pre-release device and not the final release, the watermark on the photo reads BlackBerry KEY².
Recent reports are indicative of a June launch, with the handset being expected to eventually be available on an international level, even though it’s unlikely to be treated to a global release. This would be much like the first BlackBerry KEYone launch, which is still being dragged out, as the Dual Sim Bronze Edition is now available for pre-order here in the UK.
There are a number of key, visible differences to its predecessor, the KEYOne. For starters, you can see a dual lens camera on the rear. Last year’s models only had a single lens unit.
The side frames and rear panel are made of plastic and brushed metal combo it seems, which look premium in black.
It appears that the KEYTwo will stick with the 3.5mm headphone jack, but in a potentially slimmer build. The keyboard also seems a little more sleek than on the KeyOne.
Coming to the side, there is a dedicated capture button apart from the volume rockers and power button. The USB Type-C Port, Speaker and Microphone are located at the bottom, while the headphone jack is present at the top.
The device is rumoured to come with a Snapdragon 660 + 8GB RAM.
