IFA 2018: BlackBerry KEY2 LE gets official

Samsung’s early launch of the Galaxy Note 9 means only one thing. We only have a little over two weeks to get a breather before we’re inundated by even more new products. IFA 2018 has just kicked off and with it comes new smartphones to choose from. If you’re the type who prefers to see and feel the keys on your phone, however, choice is pretty limited. Fortunately, TCL and BlackBerry have dropped another one before this month is over.

This newest addition to the BlackBerry KEY series smartphone lineup offers three colour variants – Slate, Champagne and Atomic – while keeping with the BlackBerry KEY2 design evolution which includes minimized screen bezels and redesigned chassis for a more modern look and feel. It also comes with the recently introduced Speed Key for a more customized 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™.

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

A dual rear camera (13MP+5MP) with great new capture experiences 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. Local availability and pricing are yet to be announced.

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.