BlackBerry KeyOne is part of TCL's Android smartphones equipped with a physical keyboard, now impossible to find on other smartphones. An interesting device, but the compromises for having it are perhaps a little too many.
Important aesthetic lines
On an aesthetic level, it is certainly not the most beautiful smartphone I have ever seen. Quite often, with a contrast between silver and black which, in my opinion, is quite out of place. The back panel, however, offers exceptional grip.
On the front, the display must share the space available with the physical keyboard. For this reason, we are faced with a device with dimensions (149.1 x 72.4 x 9.4 mm) from a phablet and a 5,5 "display. The total weight is about 180 grams.
I also didn't like the positioning of the camera. Excessively protruding, considering that there is no optical stabilization.
Small but powerful display
Once you have decided to compromise, you get used to the small 4,5 "display. Don't expect a classic aspect ratio (16: 9), here we are faced with a 4:3! There Full HD resolution of this IPS LCD and excellent visibility still guarantee good usability. Nothing to complain about even the automatic brightness adjustment.
From the settings you can also choose your preferred color range and adjust other parameters.
Medium to high level hardware, well optimized
At the hardware level, TCL has entrusted to Snapdragon 625 the operation of BlackBerry KeyOne. Choice of obvious success, considering the goodness of the processor. In support, 4GB of RAM memory and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 2TB.
Adreno 506 as a GPU, good performance in the use of multimedia content, too bad for the mono audio (even if quite high). Yes, you can play with this smartphone, but I guarantee you that the small display will make you want to do it right away.
The battery from 3505 mAh, together with the low energy processor and the small display, guarantees energy autonomy beyond a single day of use. There is no shortage of different forms of optimization and energy saving and the possibility of using fast charging thanks to the USB type-C input.
A safer Android
The operating system is Android Nougat, under BlackBerry interface. In addition to the various pre-installed applications now famous, such as Hub, to make this ROM special is the presence of several features dedicated to safety.
The protection of personal data for BlackBerry has always been important, there is also this reason behind the delay in arriving on the market with Android devices. Having found the right balance between freedom of use and safety, TCL did not hesitate to present the famous Priv. Obviously, the fingerprint reader. This is located on the physical keyboard and occupies the surface of the space bar.
Physical keyboard probably now useful to a few
The most important detail of this smartphone is certainly the presence of a physical keyboard. Loved in the past by many users, I'm not so sure it still makes sense today. The one of BlackBerry KeyOne it is well built, in black shiny plastic. The frets are very small, it is impossible for me to get used to them. For this reason, after a couple of days of trying, I switched to virtual keyboard. This, proprietary BlackBerry, is optimized to the best. Typing is very fast.
It's not a camera phone, but it gets along well
The main sensor from 12MP has a focal aperture f / 2.0 and is equipped with dual dual tone LED flash. Obviously, we are not in front of a camera phone, but in good lighting conditions the shots are more than enough. The videos, electronically stabilized, enjoy maximum 4K resolution.
The internal camera, dedicated to selfies, takes pictures with a resolution of up to 8MP.
Excellent reception and more
The maximum connectivity related to mobile data is clearly theLTE. Excellent reception, in any situation. Do not miss the presence of dual band Wifi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS (with A-GPS and Glonass) and NFC.
Complete Sensory Suite
In addition to the good fingerprint reader, the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the brightness / proximity sensor and the compass are not missing.
BlackBerry KeyOne you choose it for your keyboard
BlackBerry KeyOne it is a high-level and well-optimized mid-range. With these characteristics there are many on the market. What makes it special is the presence of the fixed physical keyboard. A feature that is now appreciated by a specific niche of users, willing to compromise in order to have it available.
Il price it is not among the lowest when compared to the competition. However, it must be taken into consideration that - currently - BlackBerry Android smartphones are among the safest in terms of privacy protection.
