The BlackBerry Keyone, also known as BlackBerry Mercury, was announced in February 2017 and released in April of the same year. The phone offers a classic QWERTY keyboard combined with the modern Android experience, making it a productivity powerhouse for professionals and BlackBerry enthusiasts. Built with Gorilla Glass 4 and an aluminum frame, the Keyone delivers both durability and style. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset and features a 12 MP camera, providing a blend of solid performance and security. Supporting a wide range of LTE bands, the Keyone is ideal for users in various regions around the globe.
BlackBerry Keyone Specifications
Here’s a detailed responsive table highlighting the key specifications of the BlackBerry Keyone:
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G Bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 (SIM 1 & SIM 2 for BBB100-4) |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Dimensions | 149.1 x 72.4 x 9.4 mm |
| Weight | 180 g |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 4 front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by for BBB100-4) |
| Keyboard | Capacitive touch 4-row BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard |
| Display Type | IPS LCD, 1080 x 1620 pixels (~434 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Adreno 506 |
| Internal Memory | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | 12 MP f/2.0, PDAF, 4K@30fps video |
| Selfie Camera | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, 18W fast charging (Quick Charge 3.0) |
| Colors | Black/Silver, Black, Bronze |
| Price | About 290 EUR |
BlackBerry Keyone Review
Design and Build Quality
The BlackBerry Keyone stands out with its unique design, featuring a 4-row physical QWERTY keyboard combined with a modern touchscreen. Measuring 149.1 x 72.4 x 9.4 mm and weighing 180 grams, the phone feels solid in hand. Its build quality is enhanced by the aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 front, making it both durable and sleek. The plastic back adds to its lightweight feel, and the phone is available in Black/Silver, Black, and Bronze color variants, giving users a choice between a professional or stylish appearance.
Display Quality
The 4.5-inch IPS LCD display offers a resolution of 1080 x 1620 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of ~434 ppi. The screen is sharp and vibrant, delivering great viewing angles and clarity. Though the 3:2 aspect ratio is unconventional compared to modern smartphones, it’s optimized for reading, messaging, and browsing. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, making it resistant to scratches and minor impacts.
Performance and OS
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and reliable performance for everyday tasks. The octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 506 GPU provide decent processing power, though it’s not designed for heavy gaming. Running on Android 7.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.1 Oreo, the phone gives users access to the latest apps and services from Google Play. BlackBerry’s DTEK security suite enhances privacy and data protection, making it an excellent choice for business professionals who prioritize security.
Keyboard and Usability
The QWERTY keyboard is the standout feature of the BlackBerry Keyone, offering a tactile typing experience for users who prefer physical keys over virtual keyboards. The keyboard also functions as a capacitive touchpad, allowing for gesture-based navigation, like scrolling through emails or web pages. Additionally, the keyboard is backlit for easy use in low-light environments, and the spacebar doubles as a fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking.
Camera Quality
The 12 MP rear camera, featuring PDAF (phase detection autofocus), delivers excellent performance for a phone in this category. The camera is capable of recording videos in 4K@30fps, providing high-quality video recording for personal or professional use. The dual-LED dual-tone flash enhances low-light photography, making the phone suitable for taking photos in various conditions. The 8 MP front-facing camera is ideal for selfies and video calls, with support for 1080p@30fps video recording.
Battery Life
The 3500 mAh Li-Ion battery in the Keyone offers impressive endurance, with an 81-hour battery rating under typical usage. The phone supports Quick Charge 3.0, which allows the device to charge up to 50% in just 36 minutes, making it convenient for users who need fast charging on the go. Whether you’re a heavy user or someone who needs reliable battery life for business travel, the BlackBerry Keyone will meet your needs.
Connectivity and Storage
The BlackBerry Keyone supports a broad range of LTE bands, making it suitable for use in various regions across the globe. The device offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1 with OTG support for external device connections. The phone comes in two storage variants: 32GB with 3GB RAM and 64GB with 4GB RAM, both of which can be expanded via a microSDXC slot that shares space with the second SIM slot.
Conclusion
The BlackBerry Keyone is a unique and powerful smartphone that combines a physical QWERTY keyboard with modern Android features, making it an excellent choice for professionals and users who prioritize productivity. Its durable build, long battery life, and enhanced security features make it a standout device in its category. While the phone may not compete with flagship devices in terms of raw performance, it excels in delivering a premium experience for users who value security, productivity, and BlackBerry’s legacy.
Disclaimer
We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
