Last year, we eviscerated the BlackBerry Keyone. Physical “keyboards are bad,” we argued, and they were never better than on-screen keyboards. You could make all the same arguments against the new BlackBerry Key2, but after using this unique, productivity-focused device for a few weeks, I don’t get the hate.
It’s true that the BlackBerry of old did not keep up with trends, became uncool, and died a slow and painful death. In 2013, I even felt compelled to advise everyone to avoid its phones completely because I wasn’t sure the company would survive.
Today, the situation is different. BlackBerry's old operating system no longer exists, and it doesn’t make smartphones itself anymore. The Key2 was made by TCL under the BlackBerry brand, and it's powered by the latest version of Google’s Android. BlackBerry adds in a few productivity apps, and some work-friendly DTEK security software, which quietly runs in the background. Unless you’re still scared of being seen as uncool there’s no reason to avoid a BlackBerry. I'm happy to report that no one has mocked me in public for rocking a phone with a physical keyboard---at least not yet.
It’s odd seeing a BlackBerry phone in 2018, with that same QWERTY keyboard you might remember from 2008. Physical keyboards are so rare these days, it’s hard to find one that isn’t in a bargain bin with a pile of flip phones.
It’s been a while since my thumbs tapped on real keys, so it took some getting used to, but typing on a real keyboard has its benefits. The buttons are backlit and about 20 percent bigger than last year’s model so there was plenty of space for my thumbs. Once I was in the groove, I found that the physical keys to be more precise. I still feel like I need to watch my fingers—when I messed up, I messed up big time—but like a software keyboard, Blackberry's autocorrect is there to save your bacon. The only regular trouble I had was remembering where the Alt key was, so I could select letters and punctuation.
Though it's mostly straightforward, the keyboard holds a few secrets. For instance, the spacebar hides the phone’s fingerprint sensor—I can’t think of a more appropriate spot for it, right there on the Key2's chin. You can also slide your finger up, down, left, or right on the surface of the keyboard to scroll through pages, which can be very handy. Lastly, if you choose, you can map any app to every one of the QWERTY keys on the keyboard. I chose to let the A key opens Amazon now and I can call up the calculator by simply pressing C.
The biggest drawback of this BlackBerry's design? The keyboard eats into real estate usually reserved for screen space. Its 4.5-inch 1,620 x 1,080 pixel LCD screen is just big enough that it doesn’t cause headaches. You have enough screen space to watch videos, play games, and use apps without feeling too boxed in, but you notice it.
The Key2 is surprisingly comfortable to hold, and seems very durable. Unlike many devices, it’s designed to take a fall. The frame is made of aluminum, which extends out from the screen's edges, likely protecting it from cracks and scrapes better in the event of a light drop.
The back is also covered in a comfortable rubber coating, which improves grip and traction. I’ve had terrible luck with phones this year. As careful as I am, multiple Android phones have slid right off my table or counter thanks to their all-glass designs, but the Key2? It doesn’t budge. It probably doesn’t need a case. I wouldn't want to drop it, but I feel like it has a fighting chance when dropped—which is more than I can say for many competing handsets.
The only thing missing is waterproofing—so don't take it for a swim.