BlackBerry has launched the KeyOne in India. The smartphone is priced at Rs 39,990 and is available exclusively on Amazon.in. It runs on the Snapdragon 625 platform, offers 4GB RAM and 64GB built-in storage.

Our Verdict

As a standalone device, the BlackBerry KeyOne is a good phone. However, throw competing smartphones into the mix at the same price point and it’s difficult to recommend the KeyOne.

PROS

BlackBerry Keyboard is great
DTEK security and BB Hub are useful apps
Good battery life
Camera clicks good pics in well-lit conditions
CONS

Overall performance could have been better
Display aspect ratio isn’t great for watching videos
Inconvenient power button placement
Blackberry KEYone Review : Detailed Review

Once upon a time, when smartphones were at a nascent stage, a company known as BlackBerry made smartphones for the businessman. If you owned a BlackBerry you were taken seriously. People wanted to know your BlackBerry Pin, they wondered how you typed so fast on that small keyboard, they couldn't comprehend how you looked stunning all the time. But most of all, people wanted the phone you had. That’s until a little device called the iPhone came and disrupted the market and people migrated from one to the other.
But Blackberry hasn’t left the building. Not yet anyways. The company has tried to innovate with in the past, with devices like the Passport, Priv, DTEK 50 and more. Today we have the latest offering from BlackBerry – the BlackBerry KeyOne Limited Edition Black. The device is priced at Rs 39,990 pitting it against smartphones like the OnePlus 5, iPhone 6S, LG G6 and more. Does it have what it takes to be the talk of the town once again?
Build and Design

One look at the device and you know this is a BlackBerry smartphone. It’s not only the signature keyboard that gives it away, but the no nonsense square design gives off the same vibe as an expensive suit. Needless to say, that the KeyOne is a smart looking device.

Below the 4.5-inch display you have the physical QWERTY keyboard (more on that later). On the right of the device you have the volume rocker and another button that you think is the power button but it isn’t. It’s the quick launcher button. On the left you have the power button, which is quite inconveniently located.
The capacitive home, back and multitasking buttons are placed below the display, right above the keyboard. Above the display we have the front facing camera and the earpiece. The bottom has the USB-C Port, and the mono speaker.
Coming to the back of the device, it has a textured faux leather feel to it, which not only makes it feel premium but also allows better grip. The space bar doubles up as the fingerprint sensor and is very fast and accurate. No complaints here.
A lot of people thought that the BlackBerry Passport was an un-ergonomic device, but if you used that smartphone to type a lot, then its wide form factor made sense. With the keyOne we have a slimmer version of the Passport and that isn’t a bad thing. It’s just that the device can get slightly uncomfortable for long typing session