BlackBerry Passport vs. KEY2 LE: A Classic Clash
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry KEY2 LE offers a more modern chipset and improved efficiency, resulting in a smoother experience. While the Passport boasts incredible battery life, the KEY2 LE's overall performance and updated features make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | BlackBerry Passport | BlackBerry KEY2 LE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 - BBE100-1, BBE100-4 DS (EU, Africa, AU) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 29, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BBE100-2, BBE100-5 DS (NA, LATAM) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014, June. Released 2014, September | 2018, August. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 128 x 90.3 x 9.3 mm (5.04 x 3.56 x 0.37 in) | 150.3 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm (5.92 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 156 g (5.50 oz) |
| Capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry keyboard | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1440 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 1080 x 1620 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~434 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 65.3 cm2 (~56.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 60.0 cm2 (~55.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AA Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.2 | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 30mm (standard), AF, OIS | - |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8, 28mm (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Music play | Up to 84 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 432 h (2G) / Up to 444 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Black&Gold, Silver | Slate, Champagne, Atomic |
| Models | - | BBE100-4, BBE100-5, BBE100-1, BBE100-2 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.61 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 73h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1256 (nominal), 2.595 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 76dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 76dB | - |
| Performance | Basemark X: 10682 | AnTuTu: 116764 (v7) GeekBench: 4965 (v4.4) |
| OUR TESTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 73h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1256 (nominal), 2.595 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 76dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 76dB | - |
| Performance | Basemark X: 10682 | AnTuTu: 116764 (v7) GeekBench: 4965 (v4.4) |
BlackBerry Passport
- Exceptional battery life
- Unique square display
- Powerful Snapdragon 801 (for its time)
- Premium build quality
- Outdated chipset
- Square display may not appeal to everyone
- Limited camera capabilities
- Larger form factor
BlackBerry KEY2 LE
- Modern Snapdragon 636 chipset
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Dual rear cameras (typically)
- More compact and ergonomic design
- Battery life not as impressive as Passport
- Physical keyboard can be divisive
- Performance not flagship-level
Display Comparison
The Passport's 4.5-inch square display offers a unique aspect ratio and impressive contrast (1256 nominal, 2.595 sunlight). The KEY2 LE features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors and better outdoor visibility, though the Passport's contrast is noteworthy. The KEY2 LE's screen is also more modern with better resolution.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited for both devices. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities. However, the KEY2 LE likely has a more modern image sensor and processing, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. The KEY2 LE also typically has dual rear cameras, offering more versatility.
Performance
The Passport's Snapdragon 801, while powerful for its time, is outmatched by the KEY2 LE's Snapdragon 636. The KEY2 LE's octa-core processor and more efficient 14nm process deliver noticeably smoother multitasking and app performance. The KEY2 LE's Kryo 260 cores offer a more modern architecture.
Battery Life
The Passport's 3000mAh battery is legendary, achieving an endurance rating of 73 hours. The KEY2 LE's battery capacity is smaller, but the Snapdragon 636's efficiency helps it achieve respectable battery life, though not matching the Passport's longevity.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Passport is ideal for users prioritizing extreme battery life and a large, square display. The KEY2 LE is better suited for those seeking a balance of productivity, performance, and a more contemporary design, even with a physical keyboard.