Slightly less powerful, less expensive BlackBerry KEY2 LE announced at IFA 2018

August 31, 2018

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Slightly less powerful, less expensive BlackBerry KEY2 LE announced at IFA 2018 2

As part of the IFA 2018 event underway in Berlin, TCL Communication announced the launch of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE. The new device is slightly less expensive than the BlackBerry KEY2, something TCL achieved through some targeted changes. Those changes bring the starting price down to $399 making it a bit easier for fans of BlackBerry or a physical keyboard to get the smartphone.

According to Alex Thurber, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobility Solutions with 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.”

The biggest change that TCL made for the BlackBerry KEY2 LE is probably the redesigned chassis which is now may out of a polycarbonate material. This yields a lighter device and is one of the areas that directly impacts the bottom line to make the phone less expensive. Another difference from the higher end version is the memory options – either 32GB or 64GB versus choices of 64GB and 128GB. Both phones can handle up to 256GB of expandable storage.

TCL also moved down the stack of available sensors ever so slightly giving the KEY2 LE a Snapdragon 636 chip instead of the Snapdragon 660 found in the KEY2. Buyers focused on battery life will find a significant difference in this area as well. The KEY2 is projected to have a battery life of a couple days while the KEY2 LE is half that at roughly 22.5 hours. Finally, the KEY2 LE does come equipped with a dual-camera on the rear, but the sensors are 13MP and 5MP versus the dual 12MP sensors of the KEY2. Both devices get the same 8MP front-facing camera.

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE will ship with Android 8.1 Oreo. The device will be available in three colors – Slate, Champagne, and Atomic (red). No specific date was provided by TCL for when units will start shipping, but it is scheduled to happen sometime in September.

Be sure to check back with TalkAndroid for more IFA 2018 coverage.

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Jeff Causey Author

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.