TCL today unveiled its newest BlackBerry smartphone – the BlackBerry KEY2 LE. This newest addition to the BlackBerry KEY series smartphone lineup offers three colours variants – Slate, Champagne and Atomic – while keeping with the BlackBerry KEY2 design evolution which includes minimised screen bezels and redesigned chassis for a more modern look and feel.
It also comes with the recently introduced Speed Key for a more customised universal shortcut experience, and in addition to its Android operating system, includes support for popular features like the Google Assistant, Google Lens, and Google Pay.
“Today’s smartphones try to offer a one size fits all solution, but that is no longer realistic when we have a global marketplace as diverse as we have today,” said Alain Lejeune, Senior Vice President, TCL Communication & President, BlackBerry Mobile.
“But this is why we focus on making modern BlackBerry smartphones like KEY2 LE, to stand out and deliver a great experience for everyday communication, with access to all the features, connectivity and applications our customers expect.”
Capturing the balance between iconic BlackBerry design and modern elements, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE features a lightweight polycarbonate frame and a newly designed soft textured back that provides better in-hand grip to prevent drops. It also includes a Full-HD, 2.5D display and will be available in three accent colour options: Slate, Champagne, and Atomic.
With similar BlackBerry KEY series dimensions, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE is both thinner and lighter and boasts a redesigned keyboard with keys that are nearly 10 percent larger than those featured on the BlackBerry KEYone. Designed for accuracy and precision, the physical keyboard includes the Speed Key that enables shortcut access to a number of functions on your device at any time, without having to return to the home screen or search in an app folder to access the apps, contacts, and functions you use and communicate with most. The Speed Key is complimented by 52 customisable shortcuts, so you can program each key to instantly bring up the contacts and apps you use most.
“The BlackBerry KEY2 LE brings a fresh new personality to TCL Communication’s BlackBerry KEY2 portfolio that includes all the security features that make BlackBerry phones the world’s most secure Android smartphones,” said Alex Thurber, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobility Solutions at BlackBerry.
“With this new addition to their product lineup, the KEY2 LE keeps the iconic BlackBerry styling while offering an accessible entry point for our fans around the world to enjoy a modern BlackBerry smartphone.”
A dual rear camera (13MP+5MP) that include Portrait mode is also featured on the BlackBerry KEY2 LE. This is complemented by an 8MP front camera that comes with LCD flash and new capture modes like Wide Selfie (selfie panorama) and Face Beauty, which offers new selfie capture enhancements. You can also learn more about the world around you with Google Lens camera integration, which can help you quickly access more information on landmarks, buildings, books and more simply by pointing your camera at the object.
The BlackBerry KEY2 LE comes with 4GB of memory and in both 32GB and 64GB storage variants – with both offering expandable storage MicroSD support. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and an efficient battery that offers up to 22 hours of mixed use to get you through the busiest of days and often into the next day.
In addition, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE features Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, enabling up to a 50 percent charge in about 36 minutes – enough power to get you through a normal workday. The BlackBerry KEY2 LE also comes with a Boost mode charging and contextual battery reminder which will learn from your daily charging habits and calendar appointments to recommend when to charge, so you have the battery power you need when you need it most.
The BlackBerry KEY2 LE will be available for purchase in markets globally – including Germany, the U.K., France, UAE, Canada and the U.S. – beginning next month with the suggested retail price starting at $399 USD / €399 EUR / £349 GBP / $519 CAD for the 32GB storage variant and $449 USD / €429 EUR / £399 GBP / $579 CAD for the 64GB storage variant.
BlackBerry KEY2 LE Specifications
| Operating System | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Display | 4.5-inch, 1620×1080 IPS LCD 434ppi 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Octa-Core 4 x 1.8GHz + 4 x 1.6GHz Adreno 509 GPU |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB 64GB |
| Expandable | microSD up to 256GB |
| Rear Camera | Dual Camera 13M (1.12um, F2.2) + 5M (1.12um, F2.4) 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 | 3000mAh battery (22.5 hours) |
| 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 BlackBerry Privacy Shade BlackBerry Secure Android Android For Work, Google Play for Work Fingerprint sensor in space bar Monthly Android security updates |
| 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 |
| BBE100-1 – EMEA & APAC – Single SIM | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/19/20/26/28/32 TD-LTE Band 38/40/41 |
| BBE100-2 – NA & LATAM – Single SIM | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/20/28/29/66 TD-LTE Band 38/39/40/41 |
| BBE100-4 – EMEA & APAC – Dual SIM | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/19/20/26/28/32 TD-LTE Band 38/40/41 |
| BBE100-5 – NA Open Market – Dual SIM | LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/20/28/29/66 TD-LTE Band 38/39/40/41 |
| Dimensions | 150.25mm x 71.8mm x 8.35mm |
