BlackBerry KeyOne is a touchscreen-based Android smartphone with an integrated hardware keyboard that is manufactured by TCL Corporation under the brand name of BlackBerry Mobile. Originally known by its unofficial code name "Mercury", the KEYone was officially announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 25, 2017. While earlier BlackBerry smartphones running Android exist, the KeyOne is the first Android-based BlackBerry with the iconic BlackBerry design. TCL executives termed the KeyOne as a success, mentioning 850,000 units being sold.
Specifications
Hardware
The first sale units of BlackBerry KeyOne came pre-loaded with Android 7.1 Nougat, and the BlackBerry Hub and DTEK applications were also preinstalled. It is powered by a 3505 mAh non-removable battery and an octa-core, Snapdragon 625 processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The hardware has been designed by the Chinese TCL Corporation. It was released in India on 1 August 2017, in a special Limited Edition Black, that was released on other markets later. Color, and some changes to the specifications, including 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, instead of the 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage international version. The Indian version also features a dual-sim slot, which they claim is the 'first BlackBerry smartphone with dual-sim support', though the BlackBerry Aurora in Indonesia has that title. The phone measures 149.1 x 72.4 x 9.4 mm. Its case is made of a silver aluminum frame, with a black rubbery grip in the back. The top of the phone features a headphone jack. The bottom of the phone features an USB-C port and a mono speaker. The phone also features a fully touch-enabled integrated hardware keyboard which responds to swipe gestures and doubles as a trackpad, a fingerprint scanner located in the spacebar, and keyboard shortcuts to speed up the launching of apps and features. The phone features a 3:2, IPS screen at 1080x1620 pixels, with a pixel density of 434ppi. The phone possesses two cameras: one 8-megapixel at the front and a Sony IMX378, 12-megapixel at the rear. The rear camera can record 4K videos at 30 fps. The front camera can record 1080p videos at 30 frames per seconds. The phone can shoot pictures in 3:2 by default or in the standard 4:3. It also features EIS and phase-detection autofocus.
Software
The KeyOne originally shipped with Android 7.1 "Nougat," but will be updated to Android 8.0 "Oreo." BlackBerry has promised to provide system security updates for the phone once per month which contributed to the phone earning official Android Enterprise Recommended status from Google.
Variants
In September 2017, TCL Communications worked with AT&T Mobility to make an AT&T-exclusive version of the KeyOne, the BlackBerry KeyOne Space Black. The device contains the same specifications as the original device, but shares the same colors as the Limited Edition Black. The device will only be available in the United States. In India, however, Blackberry has launched an upgraded variant, called Blackberry KeyOne Limited Edition. Unlike the regular KeyOne model, the Limited Edition has 4GB RAM and 64GB internal memory and it comes with dual sim card support. Blackberry also offered a 1 Year Free Screen Replacement guarantee on the Blackberry KeyOne Limited Edition via OnlyMobiles.com. It is the same version later sold as Black Edition worldwide. On November 16, 2017, BB Merah Putih announced that BlackBerry KeyOne will be joining their BlackBerry lineup, alongside their BlackBerry Aurora. The device, like the Indian model, will be branded under the Limited Edition Black title. A live event was held on November 23. The device is sold in Indonesia through Dino Market.
