FCC reveals BlackBerry Key2 LE . coming

Details have surfaced online of an as-yet unreleased BlackBerry smartphone called the Key2 LE. It is probably a cheaper version of the previously released smartphone Key2.

The unannounced smartphone appeared at the American telecom watchdog FCC, which has put several documents online. Among other things, it mentions the name Key2 LE, along with the model number and other identification numbers. The FCC has not released anything about the specifications.

Given the naming of the smartphone and the design of the logo, it seems to be a modified version of the Key2 that BlackBerry and manufacturer TCL already released. It should probably be a cheaper version than the previously released variant.

TCL, which owns the rights to the BlackBerry name, released the Key2, a smartphone with a 3:2 form factor display and an under-screen keyboard, earlier this month for a price of about $650. What the new version should cost is not yet known, also when BlackBerry would like to release the smartphone. The fact that the FCC has already looked at the smartphone means that an announcement is likely close.

Update, 07/31/2018: Clarifies that manufacturer TCL produces the phones, not BlackBerry itself.