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The wait for the new BlackBerry is over. Launched exclusively at Selfridges this week, the KEYone will go on sale in other stores in the UK from May 5. Billed as a throwback to the golden generation of BlackBerry phones, the KEYone comes with the phone maker’s iconic QWERTY keyboard.
Johnathan Young, UK Country Manager for BlackBerry Mobile said: “We are delighted to launch the BlackBerry KEYone first in the UK with Selfridges. Selfridges, voted world’s best department store three times consecutively have been a longtime supporter of BlackBerry. Our retail strategy is to be where our customers are and, as a multichannel retailer dealing in the premium end of the market, Selfridges reflects BlackBerry KEYone’s identity in the smartphone market.”
“We want to congratulate BlackBerry Mobile on the UK launch of theBlackBerry KEYone.” said Bosse Myhr, Selfridges Director of Technology, Home and Menswear “We are thrilled to be the first UK retailer to offer customers the BlackBerry KEYone at our flagship Oxford Street store and provide them with a premium smartphone that aligns with their unique and discerning style.”
The KEYone is the first BlackBerry device released under TCL Communication after a brand licencing agreement was struck between the two firms. BlackBerry teamed up with TCL after kicking its own operating system to the curb in 2016.
Retailing at £499, the KEYone may look like BlackBerry’s of old but it is packed with plenty of modern-day features. Running on Android 7.1 Nougat, users have access to Google Play store and will receive Google security patch updates. The QWERTy keyboard has also been given a modern take, with 52 customisable shortcuts available by holding down the letter keys. Loaded with BlackBerry’s Hub, users can also consolidate emails, texts and social media notifications in one place.
