BlackBerry KEY2 LE hands-on review

Internals and performance

TCL's efforts to keep costs down for the KEY2 LE inevitable led to some internal downgrades, as well as the already mentioned external changes. The Snapdragon 660 chipset, from the vanilla KEY2, has been swapped for a Snapdragon 636 chip and 6GB of RAM, have been brought down to 4GB. Frankly speaking, this doesn't worry us too much. The camera downgrade is likely to be noticed by more users. But, more on that, in a bit.

The thing is, the original KEY2 is not a powerhouse, to begin with. The new, substitution Snapdragon 636 is definitely slower and the Adreno 509 GPU is clearly worse, but given BlackBerry's productivity-oriented product line, the bump down in performance is hardly noticeable with real-world tasks.

We did manage to run a few quick benchmarks on the KEY2 LE. Of course, you have to keep in mind we are still dealing with early software. We'll have a clearer picture for you in the full review. Anyway, as far as CPU goes, you still get eight Kryo 260 cores from the Snapdragon 636, just like on the KEY2, only clocked slightly lower. No big deal.

GeekBench 4.1 (multi-core)

Higher is better

• Samsung Galaxy S8
  6656
• Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
  6301
• BlackBerry KEY2
  5830
• BlackBerry KEY2 LE
  4965
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
  4918
• Xiaomi Mi Max 3
  4907

GeekBench 4.1 (single-core)

Higher is better

• Samsung Galaxy S8
  1991
• Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
  1832
• BlackBerry KEY2
  1628
• BlackBerry KEY2 LE
  1343
• Xiaomi Mi Max 3
  1331
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
  1329

Early software or not, as far as hardware utilization goes, TCL has apparently done a pretty good job, squeezing performance out of the Snapdragon 636. It clearly outperforms both Xiaomi devices, based on the same platform, which we recently tested.

AnTuTu seems to think a bit highly of the Mi Max 3, but the difference is minor and well within the margin of error.

AnTuTu 7

Higher is better

• Samsung Galaxy S8
  199022
• BlackBerry KEY2
  140984
• Xiaomi Mi Max 3
  119229
• BlackBerry KEY2 LE
  116764
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
  115195

Our justification for throwing the Samsung Galaxy S8 in the mix, in both its Snapdragon and Exynos variants is the existence of a keyboard case for the pair. That's about as close as you can get on a relatively current and mainstream smartphone, with a physical keyboard. Unfortunately, Samsung is yet to introduce a keyboard accessory for the S9 pair, cementing BlackBerry's unique position in this regard even further.

GFX 3.0 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)

Higher is better

• Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
  57
• Samsung Galaxy S8
  50
• BlackBerry KEY2
  22
• BlackBerry KEY2 LE
  16
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
  16
• Xiaomi Mi Max 3
  16
• BlackBerry Priv
  12
• BlackBerry KEYone "Pre-production" hardware
  9.8

GFX 3.0 Manhattan (onscreen)

Higher is better

• Samsung Galaxy S8
  36
• Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
  34
• BlackBerry KEY2
  26
• BlackBerry KEY2 LE
  18
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
  15
• Xiaomi Mi Max 3
  15
• BlackBerry KEYone "Pre-production" hardware
  11
• BlackBerry Priv
  7.6

GPU tests show basically the same. With the slower Adreno 509 you are losing a few frames compared to the vanilla KEY2. However, let's be real here, you're not really going to do much hardcore gaming on this particular display, not to mention the keyboard, getting in the way in landscape mode.

Camera

Hopefully, BlackBerry fans, or at least the budget-conscious ones aren't too fond of the optical zooming feature on the original KEY2, since, it has been axed on the KEY2 LE. It was definitely nice to have, but again, not really essential to the core BlackBerry productivity experience. At least, that seems to be TCL's justification.

The KEY2 LE still has a dual camera setup, only a much simpler one. The main snapper is a 13MP, 1.12 µm sensor, complete with PDAF. Just the regular kind, no Dual Pixel tech. It sits behind a quite dark f/2.2, 79.8-degree lens, which has to be our biggest concern with the snapper. It is complemented by a basic 5MP, fixed focus, f/2.4, 1.12µm depth-sensing camera. The latter takes fairly decent Portrait mode shots.

We managed to snap a few stills with the BlackBerry KEY2 LE. Some using the default 3:2 aspect ratio.

BlackBerry KEY2 LE 3:2 camera samples

Followed by another proper 4:3 set. As per usual in a hands-on setting, we will refrain from passing any quality judgment until the full review.

BlackBerry KEY2 LE 4:3 camera samples

One thing we will note about the otherwise quite familiar camera UI is the integration of Google Lens. The powerful AI object and landmark recognition can be used to seamlessly bring up more information on your surroundings.

Selfies on the KEY2 LE are handled by an 8MP, fixed-focus snapper. It's really nothing special. Then again, upon first inspection, not really any worse than the selfie cam on the original KEY2.

BlackBerry KEY2 LE selfie samples

Software

There's really not much to say about BlackBerry's legendary software suite, enterprise, and custom security solutions that hasn't already been said. Chances are that if you are currently using a BlackBerry as a company phone, there are not that many choices. This, alone, might be a good reason to get acquainted with the KEY2 LE.

If you are not familiar with the BlackBerry app suite, there are a few important highlights. Worth pointing out. Nothing not already available on the vanilla KEY2, just to be clear.

In no particular order, there is DTEK - BlackBerry's proprietary security platform. It is a far-reaching, low-level platform that allows TCL to claim their devices offer the most secure Android experience, currently out there. The DTEK app, itself, also offers proactive scanning features and tools to identify potential security risks, such as unwanted data access by third-party apps.

Building on top of the DTEK security layer, there is the Locker app, which allows you to hide away apps, documents and photos. It also includes Firefox Focus - a security-focused browser that leaves little traces of our online activity behind.

Other notable software features, include extensive dual App support, including support for apps that require a unique phone number, on a dualSIM device. There is also the BlackBerry HUB - a central location for all your communication, including instant messenger.

Battery management has been infused with some extra smarts on the KEY3. Boost mode charging is now a thing. Also, BlackBerry has created a contextual battery reminder, which learns your daily charging cycle and monitors your upcoming activities and calendar appointments, so that it can remind you to charge at the most opportune time.

Another small, but nifty new addition is the ability to map Google apps to the BlackBerry Convenience key. Singe press can be used to bring up the assistant, while long-pressing the button enters a sort of walkie-talkie mode, so you can talk to the Google Assistant, without using any wakeup words. Double pressing the button opens Google Lens.

To top It all off, BlackBerry has promised strict and timely, monthly Android security updates. Frankly, we would expect nothing less, given the lofty security claims.

Conclusion

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE will be available for purchase in markets globally - including Germany, the U.K., France, UAE, Canada and the U.S. - beginning next month, with a suggested retail price starting at $399 USD / €399 EUR / £349 GBP/ $519 CAD, for the 32GB storage variant and $449 USD / €429 EUR /£ 399 GBP / $579CAD, for the 64GB storage variant.

BlackBerry phones have always been a niche product. In fact, it's in their DNA and at the core of the particular business model. Aside from the odd nostalgia-driven end-user, the bulk of these phones also live solely within enterprise environments. A place where a different set of problems, requirement, and corresponding solutions are the norm.

Hence, judging devices like the KEY2 LE from the same standpoint and pre-disposition as any other end-user smartphone out there is a flawed approach. Still, realistically, that's the only approach we can objectively have here. As such, even with its slashed price tag and what we think are reasonable downgrades, to go along, it is still a bad fit and value proposition for most regular users.

That being said, the faith of the KEY2 LE will surely depend on the enterprise consumer. If TCL has done its homework right and a toned-down, yet still proper BlackBerry experience is what business craves, then we have little doubt that the KEY2 LE will be successful within the comfy little niche BlackBerry has carved out for itself.