BlackBerry Key2 LE: More Affordable Access to BlackBerry’s Iconic Design and Security

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If thoughts of QWERTY keyboards give you a little thrill, you’ll like that BlackBerry is giving us more options. In addition to the BlackBerry Key2, you can also consider the new Key2 LE. The BlackBerry Key2 LE has slightly fewer premium features than the Key2, but at $399 for the 32GB and $449 for the 64GB, it’s an attractive alternative.

The new BlackBerry Key2 LE will be available in three colors: Slate, Champagne, and the mesmerizing Atomic (shown here).

The Key2 LE has the Key2’s minimized screen bezels and redesigned chassis as well as the recently introduced Speed Key which “offers a more customized universal shortcut experience.”

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 customizable shortcuts, so you can program each key to instantly bring up the contacts and apps you use most.

The Key2 sells for $649, while the 32GB Key2 LE is $399 and the 64GB Key2 LE is $449. What are you giving up for the savings? Well, to start, the body on the Key2 LE is polycarbonate, not aluminum. You’ll have 4GB RAM on the Key2 LE instead of the Key2’s 6GB, and the Key 2 LE is available with 32 or 64GB user memory rather than the Key2’s 64 or 128GB.

The Key2 LE has dual rear cameras, but instead of both being 12-megapixels, the Key2 LE has a 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel rear cameras. The battery on the Key2 LE is slightly smaller as well; instead of the 3500mAh found on the Key2, the Key 2 LE has 3,000mAh. Both have Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0, which will give you up to a 50% charge in ~36 minutes.

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 displays are the same on the Key2 and Key2 LE, but the processors are slightly different. The Key 2 has a Qualcomm SDM660 processor with Kyro 260 Octa-core; the Key2 LE has Qualcomm SDM636 with Kryo 260 Octa-core.

Only you can decide if you need the full power of the BlackBerry Key2 or if the BlackBerry Key2 LE will suffice, but it’s nice to have options!

BlackBerry Key2 LE Specifications

DESIGN
Dimensions: 150.25 x 71.8 x 8.35mm
Weight: 156g
Color Option: Atomic, Champagne, Slate

DISPLAY
Screen Size: 4.5”
Resolution: 1620 x 1080, 434 PPI 3:2, IPS LCD
Glass: Corning Gorilla

PROCESSOR
Chipset: Qualcomm® SDM 636
Speed & Type: Kryo 260 Octa-core: 4xGold(1.8GHz) + 4xSilver(1.6GHz)

MEMORY
RAM/STORAGE: 4GB RAM / 32GB storage or 64GB storage
SD Support: Hot-swappable MicroSDTM

FEATURES
OS: AndroidTM 8.1 Oreo
Keyboard: 35 key physical keyboard with 34 backlit keys and integrated fingerprint sensor in spacebar
Sensors: GPS, Fingerprint (spacebar), Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light, Hall Effect

CAMERA
Rear Camera: Dual 13MP+5MP, Dual Tone LED flash, 13MP – Fov 79.8o, pixel-1.12um, F2.2, Phase Detect Auto Focus 5MP – Fov 84o, pixel-1.12um, F2.4 HDR, 4K @ 30fps video capture
Front Camera: 8MP fixed focus, LCD screen flash, 1080p @ 30fps video capture
Features: Scan, Private Capture

BATTERY
Size: 3000mAh
Usage: Up to 22 hours1
Charge: Qualcomm® Quick ChargeTM 3.0

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. 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. – Alex Thurber, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobility Solutions at BlackBerry

For more information on the new BlackBerry Key2 LE, head here.

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.