BlackBerry announces cheaper Key2 LE starting at $399

As decent as the BlackBerry Key 2 is, it’s really not worth spending $650 on when there are better phones like the OnePlus 6 that cost less.

TCL Communications, the company behind the BlackBerry Key series, has heard the cries of the people and has announced a cheaper Key 2 LE coming in September, which’ll start at a more affordable $399.

At a lower price, you’re probably wondering what corners TCL cut to shave down the price. Although the display is the same 4.5-inch LCD touchscreen with 1,620 x 1,080 resolution, almost everything else about the Key 2 LE has been downgraded.

The QWERTY keyboard more closely resembles the one on the KEYone. Though the keys are 10 percent larger than those on the KEYone, the rows aren’t as spaced out as they are on the newer Key 2. However, on the plus side, the Key 2 LE has the Key 2’s Speed key and Convenience key.

The processor is also slower. The Key 2 LE is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 636 chip and not the faster Snapdragon 660 chip found in the Key 2. The phone still comes with 4GB of RAM, but the base storage is 32GB compared to 64GB on the Key 2.

There’s also still a dual camera system on the Key 2 LE, but the image sensors are different. The main camera’s a 13-megapixel shooter with f/2.2 aperture and the secondary camera has 5-megapixels and an f/2.4 aperture. On the front is a 5-megapixel camera with f/2.4 aperture.

Battery capacity is also less on the Key 2 LE versus the Key 2: 3,000 mAh compared to 3,500 mAh.

On the software side of things, the Key 2 LE runs Android 8.1 Oreo and has all of the same BlackBerry sprinklings like the DTEK security app. 

And the phone’s still got a headphone jack, microSD card for storage expansion, and fingerprint sensor built into the space bar.

If the price of TCL’s flagship Key phones has been the main reason for you not to get them, now you’ve got a cheaper option. Sure, the performance and cameras aren’t as great, but dude, it’s a BlackBerry. You’re buying it for the keyboard to type emails and text messages, not to play 3D games or binge Netflix on its squished screen.

This time, the Key 2 LE’s also available in three colors: Slate, Atomic, and Champagne. Yay, for more colors, I guess. Somebody tell Kim Kardashian there’s another new BB! Or maybe call Kanye and tell him to load up on them for her.