BlackBerry KEY2 LE looks stylish in a restrained blue hue in freshly leaked render

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While those trendy Optiemus-made BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X are still unlikely to ever be released outside of India, hardcore Western fans of the once-revered brand and iconic QWERTY designs can definitely look forward to the KEY2 LE.

That is, if they can live with the inherent compromises of a “Lite Edition” of an already mid-range phone in the name of saving a few bucks. The good news is the BlackBerry KEY2 LE will add a splash of color, according to a number of trusted sources, the latest of which is today able to back up that claim with yet another press-friendly render.

This isn’t all that different from the handset’s first high-quality leaked image, showing the same exact front panel, but a slightly more eye-catching backplate. The rear cover is apparently coated in blue, although we’re not talking about the kind of snazzy hue boasted by the “Ocean Blue” Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

It’s something far more restrained and subtle, nonetheless lending the otherwise repetitive BlackBerry KEY2 LE a little pizzazz. Keep in mind that the “regular” KEY2 is only available in standard black and silver options, while the LE version is expected to come in red and “copper” in addition to black and blue.

Clearly, TCL is targeting a younger, hipper demo here, which obviously feels tricky with a full retro hardware keyboard in tow. But as long as it’s priced “aggressively”, the phone expected out at IFA Berlin in a couple of weeks has a decent shot at mainstream popularity. Its respectable specs reportedly include the same sharp 4.5-inch touchscreen as the BlackBerry KEY2, as well as a Snapdragon 636 processor, 4GB RAM, up to 64GB internal storage, dual 13 + 5MP rear-facing cameras, and a 3,000 mAh battery. Just don’t expect Android 9 Pie out the box... or as an over-the-air update anytime soon.