BlackBerry's next smartphone is the KeyOne -- a promising Android phone targeted toward people who prefer physical keyboards. The company just postponed its release date to after May.
BlackBerry's KeyOne is a promising Android phone targeted toward people who prefer physical keyboards, as well as BlackBerry's suite of secure apps
lackBerry kicked its own Rim Main system to the control a year ago in favor of the more popular Google android OS, and it no longer manufactures its own phones. But the Waterloo company isn't exiting the company anytime soon. Rather, Rim has partnered with Far east company TCL to release Android phones under the BlackBerry manufacturer. Its latest phone is the KeyOne, a traditional BlackBerry mobile phone with a full QWERTY keyboard
If you are ignorant, TCL manufactures telephones under the Alcatel brand. BlackBerry's first devices under the new partnership with TCL were the DTEK50 and DTEK60, which are rebranded Alcatel phones reported and released toward the end of 2016. Every of them carry the same software experience that includes the BlackBerry Centre, the DTEK security software, and the famed Blackberry mobile phones Messenger (BBM). The same applies for the KeyOne. What makes the KeyOne unique in comparison to the company's first Google android smartphone with a computer keyboard -- the Priv -- is the product's rate.
"In hindsight, it was probably not the location for us to punch off the first Google android device, " Bruce Walpole, basic manager of Rim Flexibility, told Digital Tendencies about the Priv. "If I actually was to express where performed we maybe misstep? Most likely the tier -- the product is still surface breaking due to slider but in aiming to be everything to everyone... anyone with necessarily best in category. in .
Unfortunately, BlackBerry may be having some issues with the KeyOne as it has just late the launch date.
Pricing and availability
The KeyOne was initially expected to arrive in April, but it now seems like you’ll have to wait a little bit longer if you want to get your hands on BlackBerry’s latest. During a recent earnings call, BlackBerry CEO John Chen announced the worldwide release has now been pushed back to after May, with TCL slated to begin production at the end of April. No further information on availability was given during the call, but at Mobile World Congress the company said the KeyOne will cost $550 in the U.S. and will be available both unlocked and from various carriers.
We’ll update this article when we receive final release date information
Something different
BlackBerry’s latest mantra is “Distinctly Different.” There are a ton of all-glass Android slabs on the market, but hardly any with a physical keyboard. The company understands that while there may not be many people that want a physical keyboard anymore, there’s still a market for it. It’s why the DTEK60 and DTEK50 exist as alternative choices for people who want big screens with BlackBerry brand name as well
For all you hardcore BlackBerry fans, the KeyOne’s unique quality is its backlit QWERTY keyboard with capacitive gesture capabilities, akin to the physical keyboard on the Priv. That means you can swipe up and down, left and right on the keyboard to move through your home screen, or even scroll through apps.
A fingerprint sensor is embedded into the space bar on the front of the device. We couldn’t test it out yet, but it’s a unique way of adding the sensor onto the front panel, rather than extending the bezel to accommodate it. Above the keyboard are capacitive navigation buttons that offer strong haptic feedback.
The device carries a rectangular shape that’s quite elongated due to the physical keyboard, but the screen — protected by Gorilla Glass 4 — is only 4.5-inches. It’s easy to hold with one hand, but it can be slippery at times. That’s in part due to the soft-touch textured back.
The KeyOne is a little chunky and it feels like a brick — that’s not an accident. The company was quick to remind me of the days when its devices were known for their durability. BlackBerry is confident the anodized aluminum frame that surrounds the phone will protect the device from most accidental drops.
There is a headphone jack and down-firing speakers. Sitting in between the speakers is a USB Type-C charging port. The power button is on the left, and the volume rocker is on the right above the Convenience Key. The Convenience Key, which is available on the DTEK60 and the DTEK50, is a customizable hotkey for specific apps or tools, such as the camera.
Speaking of customizable keys, KeyOne owners will be able to create up to 52 shortcuts with every key on the keyboard. For example, you can set a quick press on “I” to open Instagram, and a long-press on “I” to open your inbox.
It only comes with 32GB of internal storage, but there’s a MicroSD card slot that allows for expandable storage up to 2TB. It also has an NFC sensor, meaning you will be able to take advantage of Android Pay.
The front camera packs 8 megapixels, and it can take 1,080p videos at 30 frames-per-second with video and image stabilization. The rear camera has 12 megapixels (with large 1.55µm pixels), and it uses the same Sony IMX378 sensor as the Google Pixel. The camera took great shots indoors with decent lighting and there was very little shutter lag, but in low-light areas, some images were blurry.
A security-focused Android 7.1.1
The KeyOne runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and BlackBerry’s mobile team will continue to issue digitally-signed security updates for the device — including Google’s monthly security updates for Android.
t’s clear that even with the price tag, BlackBerry is not interested in the flagship tier for this phone. Still, for the processor it has the $550 price may be a little too high compared to competitor’s devices — you can get a phone with a Snapdragon 820 for as low as $400 after all, and last year’s flagships are seeing price cuts as successors are on the horizon.
From our brief tests, the KeyOne seems like a good smartphone — and it’s hard to find one these days with a solid keyboard. The price may be justified.
Highs
- Runs near-stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat
- BlackBerry is promising fast security updates
- Physical keyboard has gesture capabilities
- Solid build quality
- Fast, smooth performance
Lows
- Keyboard feels a little cramped
- On the bulkier-end of phones
- Slightly blurry photos in low-light
Article originally published in January. Updated on 03-31-2017 by Adam Ismail: Added announcement of delay.