BlackBerry Key2 LE Review: The Cheaper But Not Better BlackBerry

We, here at TGSB, have always been rooting for BlackBerry for every product they came out with. From the PlayBook to the Priv to the Key2; to the hits to the misses and those in-between. Last year, we reviewed the newest things from TCL’s BlackBerry line of devices: the Key One and the Key2. We loved the KeyOne but had mixed feelings about the Key2.

Now we’re moving onto their latest w/ the more budget-friendly take on the Key2 w/ the Key2 LE. So it almost has everything the Key2 – save the gesture keyboard, Verizon support, a slightly slower processor, less RAM, and a smaller battery. Other than that, everything else is the same. Same body, same button layout, same software features but for $200 less. We’re gonna discuss how it performs and should you get this or the regular Key2.

Key2 & Key2 LE side-by-side

If you hold the Key2 and the Key2 LE side-by-side you won’t see a difference. At 1st glance, the weight difference and the color options for the LE model are dead giveaways. You got an identical look on the hardware side of things. The Key2 has an aluminum build versus the LE has a polycarbonate (high-end plastic) build. The button layout remains w/ volume rocker, Power, & convienence buttons and in the same placement. The 4.5inch display is the same as it was on the other Key devices. The keyboard on the LE lacks the capacitive feature on its keyboard which is a must-have & surely missed. Although the fingerprint reader is still on the Spacebar so they kept that one.

4.5inch LCD display w/ 1620 x 1080 resolution
Snapdragon 636 CPU
4GB of RAM + 32GB of storage expandable up to 256GB via microSD
Physical keyboard w/ fingerprint sensor on the Spacebar
Dual rear-facing f/2.2 13MP + f/2.4 5MP cameras
Front-facing 8MP camera
3000 mAh battery w/ QuickCharge 3.0
Android 8.1 Oreo

TCL is using a low-power Snapdragon 636 processor to handle everything on the Key2 LE. It is fine as using this won’t require a lot of heavy lifting. Save for maybe light gaming, multiple browser tabs and apps open. I know the Key One had issues after a while but the extra RAM inside in the Key2 solved that problem. This is equipped w/ 4GB of RAM so that should keep this thing running smooth. We haven’t come across any lag of sorts on our end throughout nearly 2 months w/ it. Did we mention that unlike the Key2 this works on Verizon? Yeah, it does.

Just powerful enough w/ a battery that can last.

Whether typing up long email pitches, responding to social media/YouTube comments or typing up this review; the battery held up. I was able to get about a day and a half of heavy usage on this thing. I did do a lot of streaming via podcasts and music but couldn’t really get into watching YouTube on this small screen. Even though the LE has a slightly smaller battery w/ a 3000 mAh battery, it holds up pretty well.

So on paper, the LE looks like it has everything necessary to sort of compete in the mid-range market. In real-life, it does not. It has dual camera lenses w/ a 13MP + 5MP sensors on the rear and a 8MP selfie camera on the front. The results are lots of grain, lots of noise, and not a lot of detail for the most part. In well-lit environments, you can get some usable images. On a good note, it does bring over the Google Lens support from the Key2.

Just another mid-range camera

Sadly, the Key One still has the best camera in the latest of BlackBerry efforts. Maybe years ago when mid-range cameras were terrible it would blend in but nowadays, everyone has stepped their game up. Hopefully, next go round they can adapt to improve.

There’s no new change in regards to the software so you have all of the goodies from the Key2. Like the Key2, its running Android Oreo 8.1 w/ BlackBerry’s extra security software as well. So you got a hub to store files & media, a private browser via Firefox Focus pre-installed, an adaptive battery center, and their DTEK security hub that monitors every install/update/downloads for malware or viruses to keep your BlackBerry safe and sound. Along w/ that, you the post-it board layout for Recent Open apps, extra dots for icons, Productivity Tab and customizable widgets too. Everything was good so no need to change anything on the software side of things.

The cheaper BlackBerry has compromises but works on Verizon

So the interesting things about about the BlackBerry Key2 LE are 2 things. It takes all of the good from the Key2 hardware-wise but takes out some of the features. Then it has a good-to-decent processor and camera performance. Though the keyboard isn’t a popular or a wanted feature in the past decade or so, there’s still a niche market for those who still seek it.

Now what I want to see next from BlackBerry is the Key2 hardware/keyboard/features w/ the camera quality of the Key One and the pricing around what they charge for the Key 2 LE or just under $400. I think that is the kind of device that will sell well for them along w/ pleasing the fanbase + attract newcomers. So its a bit of a mixed bag as I would just recommend the Key2 over the slightly-cheaper Key2 LE.