BlackBerry KEY2 unboxing

With pre-orders available right now and shipments expected to launch later this month, it's go time for the BlackBerry KEY2. Now, before it's put through our proper testing routine, it's worth doing an unboxing for this QWERTY keyboard packing Android smartphone! BlackBerry smartphones in general are few and far between, nowhere in the same release cycle as they were in the past, but with only a handful of releases each year, each one definitely stands out.

Packaging wise, we feel as though it's your typical fanfare. However, we do like the matte etching of the BlackBerry logo throughout the box. On the front, we're presented with the image of the handset in question – while on the back, there's a rundown of its specs. Our particular model here is the one accompanied with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. For those requiring more storage, there's a 128GB option as well!

Removing the outside sleeve and prying off the front portion of the packaging, we're instantly presented with the BlackBerry KEY2. You'll find the following items below included with the unit.

The setup process doesn't deviate from the usual Android process, which all can be done in a short amount of time. In addition to setting it up with our Google account, there are options to transfer content from another device to the KEY2, as well as configuring its security – like registering our fingerprint to unlock the smartphone. Once all of that is completed, we find ourselves in the typical Android homescreen.

Considering that the KEY2 fetches for $649 outright, it's going to need to perform flawlessly to prove that it can tangle with the best out there. So far this year, we've seen several compelling flagships that have proven their worth, but the BlackBerry KEY2 is certainly unique in the broad space because it's one of the only devices to be accompanied with a physical keyboard – something that's rarely frequented in smartphones in this day and age.

We'll be putting it through our usual barrage of tests, so you can expect our in-depth review very soon!