The Blackberry KEY2 range will finally be available via Amazon Australia and online at Blackberry Australia next month (June). The BlackBerry KEY2 LE, BlackBerry KEY2 and BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition feature the BlackBerry physical keyboard and security and privacy enhancements.
“We know not one size fits all solutions. The BlackBerry KEY2 range delivers a great experience for everyday communication, with access to all the security features, connectivity and applications our business customers expect”, said Sam Skontos, VP and Managing Director for Alcatel Mobile, South East Asia Pacific.
BlackBerry Key2 has been a damned long time coming
In June 2018 GadgetGuy wrote about the BlackBerry KEY2 (here) coming to Australia in July 2018. We hope to review one soon!!!
In that time, the specifications have dated (Android 8.1) and are nowhere as impressive as they were a year ago. But you do not buy Blackberry for its specs – you buy it for the keyboard and to have secure communications. Or you are just a Blackberry fan!
And a little warning. If you shop at Amazon or any third-party online make sure you are getting the Australian version with firmware that allows 000-calls without a sim and it to work with Australian PayWave readers. It is also known as BlackBerry Athena or the ‘International Model’ in some markets – these do not work here.
International reviews last year
Still, it is unique. Because this was released mid-last year, expect to see the BlackBerry Key3 coming in the next few months, although whether Aussies will see that for another year is debatable.
From what we glean it has a 5.5-inch screen, Android 9, 19+16MP rear camera, 13MP front camera, Qualcomm SD710, 6/128GB, and a 5,000mAh battery. These are more the specs we expect from a 2019 model.
Specifications: BlackBerry Key2 family
BlackBerry Key2 LE https://blackberrymobile.com/product/blackberry-key2-le/ | BlackBerry Key2 Black https://blackberrymobile.com/product/blackberry-key2/ | BlackBerry Key2 Red |
4.5-inch, 1620 x 1080, 434ppi, 3:2 ratio, IPS LCD | same | same |
Qualcomm SD636/Adreno 509 | Qualcomm SD660/Adreno 512 | same |
4/64/microSD to 256GB/OTG | 4/64/microSD to 256GB/OTG | 6/128GB/same |
Wi-Fi AC BT 5.0 NFC FM Radio GPS 3.5mm audio jack Front fingerprint sensor USB-C 3.0 | same | same |
BBE101-1 APAC single sim BBE100-4 APAC dual sim LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38,40, 41 |
BBF100-1 single BBF100-6 dual sim |
Unknown Dual sim supports two active 4G sims. Hybrid with micro-SD |
Rear Camera 1: 13MP, 1.12um, f/2.2, PDAF, 79.8° FOV Rear Camera 2: 5MP, 1.12um, F/2.4, 84° FOV 4k@30fps Dual tone LED flash |
Rear Camera 1: 12MP, 1.28um, f/1.8, Dual PDAF, 79.3°
FOV Rear Camera 2: 12MP, 1.0um, F/2.6, PDAF, 50° FOV Provides 2X zoom Dual tone LED flash | Same |
Front: 8MP, FF, 1K@30fps, screen fill flash | Same | Same |
3,000mAh up to 22.5 hours USB-C 5V/3A and 9V/2A (18) QC 3.0 |
3,500mAh Full charge around 2 hours | Same |
BlackBerry Applications Keyboard Hub/Hub+ Service Calendar/Contacts/Notes/Tasks BBM DTEK Device Search Launcher Password Keeper Power Centre Productivity Tab Notable Privacy Shade Plus all Google Apps, Lens and Assistant | Same | Same |
Android 8.1 | ||
150.25×71.8×8.35mm x 156g Slate, Champagne and Atomic All polycarbonate |
151.4×71.8×8.5mm x 168g Black Aluminium frame and polycarbonate back |
Same Red Same |
$799 | $1190 | $1390 |
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