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Is the Blackberry KEYone too late?

3.4.2017

Translation: machine translated

Fans of physical keyboards will be delighted to discover the Blackberry KEYone. The Canadian company still attaches great importance to security, although this aspect no longer plays a central role. It is now concentrating on the new version of Android and the overall performance of its new device. But it may be a few years too late...

Yes, Blackberry still exists. Once renowned for the security of its phones and keyboards, the manufacturer is now fighting to remain competitive in the market. Its latest attempt, the Blackberry KEYone, aims to be the most pragmatic of them all.

A physical keyboard

The Blackberry KEYone is a classic Android smartphone, except that it has a physical keyboard on which you can type like the good old days. I hadn't missed that element; I don't type any faster with real keys. Touchscreens aren't ideal by any means, but neither are these little keys, especially as you have to press the Shift or Alt key to access numbers or punctuation marks. My two fingers fight over the surface of the keyboard... At least I have options.

The keyboard also lets you scroll the screen. It works exactly as you'd expect on an uneven surface: not very well. All in all, it's still a handy alternative. The home button is located directly above the keyboard, on the screen. After switching for the umpteenth time from the browser to the home screen without meaning to, this becomes downright annoying, but of course you can also scroll the screen by pressing it directly. Unfortunately, the keyboard is precisely where you usually put your thumbs. The screen is higher than on other phones, but it just takes some getting used to.

On the keyboard, the space key also acts as a fingerprint reader, which is fast and reliable. It's not the home button, as you might at first think.

Beneath the volume control is also a button that you can occupy as you wish: start the camera, turn on the flashlight, the choice is yours.

Software and security

Don't be fooled by the retro look of the keyboard, this phone is packed with cutting-edge software. Blackberry has only tweaked Android 7.1.1 slightly. On the whole, Google's interface remains virtually the same. Unnecessary bloatware is virtually non-existent. As on previous phones, Blackberry's messaging service, BBM, is pre-installed. The home screen shows application icons of disparate sizes, giving the whole thing a disorganised look, but that's just a matter of preference.
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In addition, you'll see a sliding window on the right indicated by a thin white bar, behind which hides the calendar as well as a shortcut to Blackberry apps and contacts.

Notably, security is no longer the manufacturer's primary focus. That doesn't mean, however, that it has forgotten about this element. The phone features a particularly secure encryption system. The DTEK application shows the phone's level of security and suggests ways of optimising it. From a user's point of view, this already shows extreme security, and makes life easier, but a Blackphone offers far more options. Another not insignificant aspect: Blackberry devices always receive Google updates first, before the Pixel and Nexus.

Nothing revolutionary

The Blackberry KEYone's technical data won't dazzle you: Snapdragon 625, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable memory, 4.5-inch screen with a resolution of 1620 x 1080 pixels. The KEYone is average, and so is its performance. While it's far from slow and completes its tasks without a hitch, it's no match for its big rivals. But its 3505 mAh battery and average specs combined give a very good result.

The 12-megapixel or 8-megapixel camera is the same as the Pixel XL, which is considered a benchmark in the field. Fans of selfies and Instagram posts won't be disappointed.

The design is very good.

The design

The KEYone is about the same size as my Google Pixel XL, but its screen is significantly smaller, as the physical keyboard needs to have plenty of room. If you're used to a phone of this size, you'll feel very comfortable holding it. Its rubber back prevents it from slipping, unlike other smooth, shiny phones. The mix of rubber and metal gives it an elegant and, above all, robust look. On the downside, it weighs 180g, which is no mean feat.

Summing up: this phone doesn't dazzle, but don't underestimate it

Although many customers have pre-ordered it from us, the Blackberry KEYone surely won't make any waves. Most new smartphones won't either, but Blackberry has more pressure. The KEYone is a solid, well-executed phone with average features, but with an excellent battery and a powerful camera. The manufacturer has clearly focused on productivity, not media consumption. Security may no longer be the main focus, but it is still one of Blackberry's strengths. In the end, the physical keyboard is the decisive element. I didn't miss it, but the KEYone isn't for me either. If you prefer real keys to a touchscreen and are looking for a practical phone, go for the Blackberry KEYone without hesitation.

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

Your data. Your choice.

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Is the Blackberry KEYone too late?

A physical keyboard

Software and security

Nothing revolutionary

The design

Summing up: this phone doesn't dazzle, but don't underestimate it

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