BlackBerry KEY2 LE unveiled with a new design and enhanced features

TCL Communication has unveiled its latest BlackBerry smart phone – the KEY2 LE – which now has a refined modern look with a redesigned chassis and even smaller screen bezels.

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE will be available in three colours – Slate, Champagne and Atomic – and is made from a lightweight polycarbonate frame and a newly-designed soft textured back for better grip.

The device is both thinner and lighter and also includes a redesigned keyboard with keys that almost 10 per cent larger than those on the previous model.

The physical keyboard is designed to increase accuracy and precision and now includes a Speed key that enables shortcut access to a number of functions at any time without the need to return to the home screen or search in and app folder.

The Speed Key is there in addition to 52 customisable shortcuts using a long and short press of each letter of the alphabet.

On the camera side there are dual rear lenses – 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel – with new possibilities which now includes Portrait mode.

On the front is an 8-megapixel camera with an LCD flash that’s capable of capturing a Wide Selfie or selfie panorama.

Also on board is Google Lens which can help you find information by pointing your camera at the object.

Users can also enjoy enhanced privacy controls to let you manage what information is shared in the cloud like your photos and documents.

The new Locker provides a personal space on the device where you can store apps that you want to keep private along with sensitive documents and photos.

The refreshed DTEK by BlackBerry application also now includes new scanning features for proactive security checks which mitigate potential security risks including unwonted data access by an application on your phone.

Users are also given a commitment to monthly Android security updates.

There will also be a dual SIM variant of the BlackBerry KEY2 LE.

The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor along with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage along with expandable storage through a microSD card slot.

The on-board power efficient battery will offer up to 22 hours of use to easily get you through even the busiest days.

Also included with the device is Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 which allows users to get up to a 50% charge in just 36 minutes.

It also comes with a Boost mode that would learn from your daily charging habits and appointments to recommend the best times to charge the battery.

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE 64GB variant will be available in Australia for $699.

* Stephen Fenech attended IFA with assistance from Samsung and Huawei