We purchased the BlackBerry KEY2 so that our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and review it. Read on for our full product review.

About 10 or 15 years ago, the smartphone landscape looked very different. Instead of Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel devices stealing the show, it was common to see something that looked more like the BlackBerry KEY2. That nostalgia alone might be enough to convince you, but a lot has changed since then. Displays have gotten higher resolution, touchscreen keyboards are now the norm, and some phones have insanely fast processors. We put the BlackBerry KEY2 through its paces to see how this throwback design holds up.

When we first took the BlackBerry KEY2 out of the box, it looked like a BlackBerry from 2005 crossed with a modern Android device. And while that may not sound appealing, it actually works for the BlackBerry KEY2.

The KEY2 has an aluminum frame, with the backplate covered in a non-slip grip. The chassis felt solid and durable in our hands, without being too heavy or bulky. It’s elegant in a way that we miss in luxury phones from a decade ago.