BlackBerry KeyOne Aces Durability Test Except For One Part

Update: TCL has acknowledged the problem and is looking into additional adhesive measures to make sure the screens stays in place. If you’re one of the few who have experienced this issue you can contact the company for a device warranty replacement.

BlackBerry KeyOne – the first BlackBerry device in a while to grab our attention. Presented at MWC this year, it finally hit the shelves last week in the U.S. Our first impression was that the manufacturer was finally catching up with the times but we wondered if customers were going to feel the same. Because, while its specs and features are definitely something to appreciate, the hybrid’s lifespan is equally, if not more, important. One thorough test put the question to rest; the BlackBerry Key One is a durable phone with one exception #mobilemagic

BlackBerry still knows how to make long-lasting phones, discovered YouTuber JerryRigEverything. The smartphone withstood the majority of its tests, except for the most basic one. In the “scratch screen” test, the KeyOne behaved as well as a Galaxy S8 or an iPhone 7, showing that owners would have to try very, very hard to do some visible damage.

Then, the physical keyboard of the KeyOne (which is just a distant memory to most smartphones nowadays) was horribly scratched. Still, the scrolling function of the keys behaved admirably. The space bar, which was the target of a dangerous razor blade, survived and even more important, the fingerprint scanner hidden in it could still register fingerprints and recognize them in the unlocking phase.

The back panel and metal side were easily scratched but once more, in a manner most users wouldn’t think of. To top it off, the Blackberry KeyOne passed the “flame test” with flying colors. The phone lasted for 16 seconds, after which a black mark appeared. Thankfully, as Zack points out, the screen recovered completely from the mark. 

So, what part of this 4.5-inch Android phone was prone to breaking? As Zack found out, it’s the screen. When enough pressure was applied to the center of the phone, the device not only bended, but the screen popped out! Unbelievable, right?! Blackberry apparently hasn’t used any adhesive to lock it in place, which is a very unusual mistake. Still, it’s one thing the company can fix on the next batch of devices, if it becomes an enough of a big issue for users: