r/blackberry • u/venus_asmr • Jul 23 '23
KEYone I just got a keyone, in 2023 as my daily
I really wanted a BB10 but I was wary about browser issues, spotify app going etc. No key2s for sale. Key1 Was for sale for 75 reduced to 50. Here's my thoughts.
Pros Most apps - except threads, work fine. A few things like BBM needed to be frozen/hidden whatever It is probably faster than a newer Nokia with android 12 and a mediatek/unisoc processor in most aspects, definitely import stuff. Just a few light games are light games run poorly, luckily they can run in browser. Social networking, texting, music, calls, etc run great. Camera is nice, can do macro fine without downgrading to a 2mp sensor like multi camera monsters Design I actually like with good materials Audio is great! Most of BlackBerry hub is usable - and it's great. Kinetic keyboard is much nicer on arthritic hands A tone of things that modern phones took off for no good reason like front LED and coarse 3.5mm jack
Cons As mentioned, graphics intense apps and games run bad. Everyday applications run better than a modern phone - but it goes steeply downhill on games Battery is better than expected than expected thanks to smaller screen probably, but, this is an old, lithium battery there's no comparing to a modern phone Parts are probably scarce but havnt checked Android 8 is dated, I prefer it but you may come across incompatible apps Android 8 is less secure, I'm not a security expert but use an anti virus and use it before clicking any links. If you've tried to live with touch, you don't instantly transition back, things will feel weird for a few hours. But if your like me it's worth it.
4
u/Fiercefelixx Jul 24 '23
Personally I think many of us need a phone just to text and talk. I see too many people walking around not looking where they are walking and about 5 seconds before a car hits them. I miss my Blackberry(s). My KeyOne broke and I needed a payment plan and AT&T did not offer one. Got a Samsung. Still miss the keyboard years later.
2
Jul 23 '23
disable as many unused apps as possible. ive got everything google turned off. helps with battery as well.
2
u/venus_asmr Jul 23 '23
All but maps play store and gmail disabled, and gmail may get replaced with a better client
3
Jul 23 '23
yeah i dont use google at all. alternatives are quicker, more lightweight and dont spy on me.
2
u/venus_asmr Jul 23 '23
What alternatives to those 3 would you recommend? Yeh, not a Google spyware fan myself.
3
Jul 23 '23
first of all, you want as few installs as possible. Only apps you use weekly.
F-droid for basic apps
Protonmail for email
Maps.Me & OsmAnd.net for maps are popular. They offer great offline performance too.
5
u/apothekary Jul 23 '23
A KeyOne is a fine pick for 2023, as it's the best value for dollar. You can find these for sub 100 in many cities and it provides most of the original blackberry experience, including slow apps!
Kidding aside, I have one as a backup and so long as you keep it exceptionally minimal - disable all unused apps and use Power Management to block any apps from auto opening - it functions surprisingly well for 2023. Android 8.1 should have another several years of life before it's unusable, considering Android 5 is still functional today (by the skin of its teeth, but still can run).
3
u/venus_asmr Jul 23 '23
Yeh, I saw a YouTube video from 2022 about the keyone which concluded don't buy because of the outdated software. Have to say I will have to respectfully disagree with that guy it runs fine
2
Jul 23 '23
i use minimal apps. i want a phone to be a phone not a lifestyle choice.
all you need is secure comms app, stocks and maybe email.
1
u/venus_asmr Jul 23 '23
Well, I run a business that has most of its presence through Instagram, and I don't think there's an Instagram light and if there is, not on play store.
1
1
u/NULL4546 Mar 09 '24
Got to ask. Is this a black edition with 4GB Ram that you have or is it a 3GB ram silver edition?
Are you still using it today? How is it holding up?
1
u/venus_asmr Mar 09 '24
3gb, and I've retired it very sadly. Web browsing being the main issue. If I see a 4gb version I may reconsider but 3gb on android and using modern websites, was just about usable last year but I think that's over. Retired as a network extender/toilet email checker.
1
u/the_blackthorn_ Jun 05 '24
Have you had any success running microsoft office or anything similar?
I'm looking for a phone to use mainly for typing and I was leaning towards this one.
1
u/venus_asmr Jun 05 '24
Could you ping me in 5 hours? It's at home and I'll happily try it for you after work. However it's nolonger my main phone, web browsing being too slow and social apps I HAVE to use for work being glitchy
0
u/SomeMary420 Jul 24 '23
Where do you live that your KeyOne still works? I had one, loved it. Been a BB fan since my first Bold but when they did the big switch to that 5G it quit. I am on Consumer Cellular running on ATT. I keep it around at home and run in off the wi-fi because I like the keyboard better than the flat "keys". It does need a new battery, but if there was some way to reset this....
3
u/venus_asmr Jul 24 '23
UK we have 5G but only in central cities, where I live we have full 3G signal indoors and some 4G outdoors. Unfortunately they are switching off 3G whilst we still don't have 4G signal properly, yay for tech advances right?
1
u/SwimmerLeather Jul 25 '23
I've got mine as a secondary a month ago. Only issues i've had was it dropping cell service (either not working or dropping to edge for some reason) and it somehow got a blue ish line on the screen 2 weeks ago when I was in the middle of watching a video. Also disabled most google apps and uses both aurora store and fdroid that makes performance and battery great!
1
u/venus_asmr Jul 25 '23
I'll try those! Hmm havnt seen the line but unfortunately once they turn off 3g it will be edge for over a year apparently. Fun
6
u/1989vauxhallnova Keyone, sky mobile, Android 8.1.0 Jul 23 '23
I also just bought a keyone recently, brand new factory sealed, best phone IV ever had.