Blackberry KEYone 32GB Lite

Description

The BlackBerry KeyOne, often called the BlackBerry KEYone or BlackBerry Key1, is a distinctive Android smartphone with a touchscreen and a built-in mechanical keyboard. The KeyOne, a smartphone produced by TCL Corporation under the name BlackBerry Mobile, combines cutting-edge smartphone features with the recognizable BlackBerry keyboard style. The KeyOne's specifications, hardware features, software capabilities, and many models are all covered in length on this page.

Announcement and Design

On February 25, 2017, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the BlackBerry KeyOne was formally unveiled. During development, it went by the codename "Mercury" and was the first Android-based BlackBerry handset to include a fixed hardware keyboard beneath the screen rather than a sliding keyboard like the BlackBerry Priv. The phone's style is reminiscent of older BlackBerry devices and is intended to appeal to those who prefer physical keyboards to touchscreens for input.

Hardware Specifications

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 system-on-chip that powers the KeyOne has an octa-core 2.0 GHz CPU and an Adreno 506 GPU. In its original silver form, it has 32 GB of internal storage and 3 GB of RAM. However, a Black Edition/Bronze Edition with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage was later shown. A non-removable 3,505 mAh Li-Ion battery inside the phone provides adequate battery life for everyday use.

Design and Build

The KeyOne weighs 180 g and has dimensions of 149.1 mm by 72.39 mm by 9.4 mm. The device's case has an aluminum frame that is silver in color with a rubbery grip on the back for better handling. The phone has a headphone jack on the top and a USB-C port and mono speaker on the bottom. The phone's fully touch-enabled integrated mechanical keyboard, which doubles as a trackpad and supports swiping gestures, is a standout feature. In order to increase security, the spacebar also functions as a fingerprint scanner.

Display and Camera

The phone has a 4.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a 1620x1080 pixel resolution and a 434 ppi pixel density. This screen's 3:2 aspect ratio is ideal for reading and productivity needs. The KeyOne has an 8 MP front-facing camera with 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second. It sports a 12 MP Sony IMX378 camera at the back that has an f/2.0 aperture and supports 4K video capture at 30 frames per second, HDR, phase detection autofocus, and EIS.

Software and Update

The Android version that was pre-installed on the KeyOne was Android 7.1 "Nougat," which was later updated to Android 8.0 "Oreo." Because BlackBerry promised to release system security upgrades on a monthly basis, Google officially awarded the phone the designation of Android Enterprise Recommended. This strategy highlights the business's emphasis on security and dependability for enterprise users.

Variants and Special Editions

For various markets, different versions of the BlackBerry KeyOne were made available. For instance, the BlackBerry KeyOne Space Black is the name of the AT&T-only variant in the United States. The Limited Edition Black included dual-sim capability, 64 GB of internal storage, and 4 GB of RAM in India. Under the BB Merah Putih brand, a comparable Limited Edition Black variant was made available in Indonesia.

The BlackBerry KeyOne is a unique smartphone that mixes contemporary Android functionality with the classic BlackBerry hardware keyboard, making it stand out in the smartphone industry. For corporate customers, its emphasis on security updates and enterprise-friendly features is appealing. Although the KeyOne was introduced in 2017, a specialized audience looking for a smartphone experience centered on productivity continues to be served by its distinctive design and usefulness.

Reviews

The BlackBerry KEYone review talks about the different approaches BlackBerry has used throughout the years and how it currently licenses its name and software to other businesses. The KEYone was introduced in India by Optiemus Infracom after TCL and Optiemus Infracom purchased the rights to BlackBerry in various areas. The review's objective is to evaluate the smartphone's features and user-friendliness.

Design

The actual keyboard on the KEYone is its main selling point and is uncommon among top Android makers. The spacebar on the keyboard, which is located at the bottom of the phone, features a fingerprint sensor. With a rounded bottom and a flat top, the overall shape is distinctive, and the rear is constructed of rubberized plastic for enhanced grip. It should be noted that the phone is relatively tall and thick, that the power button is located on the left, and the Convenience Key is located on the right.

Keyboard

The article goes into the KEYone's distinctive physical keyboard, which has a typical phone keypad layout for numbers and punctuation and a BlackBerry-style layout with Shift buttons on either side of the spacebar. The keyboard is characterized as unstable, which may hinder typing accuracy and requires some getting accustomed to. The keyboard's touch-sensitive surface supports a number of movements, such as text selection and scrolling. However, the keyboard's consistency with the software is broken by the incorporation of the Android navigation buttons.

Software and Specifications

With an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage in the Indian edition, the KEYone has mid-range features. The phone employs a hybrid slot that gives up one SIM slot for additional storage but still supports twin SIM cards. The device's screen's 3:2 aspect ratio, which is required to fit the physical keyboard, is underlined. Android 7.1 underlies the device's operating system, which is customized by BlackBerry. The software package includes the DTEK security app, the BlackBerry Hub, and many customization possibilities.

Camera and Performance

The review points out that while many users are accustomed to typing on touch screens, the KEYone's appeal may only be to a small group of people. Regular work is unaffected by the screen's 1080x1620 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio. However, gaming and movie playback may be uncomfortable. Although not at a flagship level, the device's performance is enough for daily chores. The camera performs admirably in the daytime, but due to extended shutter times and changing ISO values, night-time images are less spectacular.

Battery

One of the KEYone's advantages is that its battery lasts for an entire day with light use. However, consumers looking for a powerful tablet for gaming or streaming video could find it unappealing.

Verdict

The assessment concludes that KEYone caters to a specific market and that its success will rely on consumers' willingness to make the compromises necessary for its physical keyboard design. Although distinctive and intriguing, the KEYone's appeal is still up for debate in a market dominated by stylish touchscreen gadgets.