- Targets professional consumers with unmatched productivity and the most secure Android smartphone yet to be released
- Expected to make an impact in UK and Ireland B2B, retail and network operator channels
- Distributor now taking pre-orders with shipment expected late May
Basingstoke, 15 May 2017 – Tech Data Mobile has signed a distribution agreement with TCL Communication to bring the company’s new BlackBerry® KEYone smartphone to the channel in the UK and Ireland, targeting professional consumers with unmatched productivity and the world’s most secure Android™ smartphone.
With its distinctly different, but distinctly BlackBerry® design and Smart Keyboard, the BlackBerry® KEYone reimagines the modern user’s smartphone, offering unmatched battery life, unique convenience and privacy features, and the world’s most secure Android™ smartphone experience. Tech Data is opening pre-order now – with shipments expected to commence in late May.
David Nelson, Head of Dealer Sales at Tech Data Mobile UK and Ireland, expects the new device to present good opportunities for B2B resellers, independent retailers, specialist mobile dealers, and network operators across all channels.
“We are very excited to be giving our customers the opportunity to take the new BlackBerry® KEYone smartphone to market. This is, as TCL puts it, ‘distinctly different and distinctly BlackBerry’. It is a smartphone for leaders and achievers and we’re expecting it to make a real impact in both the commercial and personal markets and across all channels. It is great to see such a stunning BlackBerry device in the market. A lot of users who loved their BlackBerry in the past will want to check out the BlackBerry® KEYone. This is a great opportunity for Tech Data and for mobile resellers, retailers and network operators to offer something genuinely different and attractive.”
Johnathan Young, UK & Ireland Country Manager for BlackBerry Mobile, a business unit within TCL Communication stated: “The BlackBerry® KEYone has been designed for organisations and professionals that use their smartphone for work and rely on it to get things done. Customers who are looking for a highly desirable yet reliable, durable device with a strong display that won’t crack easily and that packs enough battery life to get through a busy day will love KEYone. We will be working with Tech Data Mobile in the UK and Ireland to ensure that our partners have all the support they need to inform customers about the benefits of the new BlackBerry® KEYone and drive their sales.”
Partners have responded positively to the appointment. Chris Love, Partner at Clove Technology, said: “Clove Technology are pleased to learn that Tech Data Mobile have been given the opportunity to distribute the new KEYone from TCL Communication. Their experience and efficient distribution model should ensure we are able to gain supply and support for this exciting new product, which given its unique features, we are confident will be a success within our market.”
The BlackBerry® KEYone combines touch with physical keyboard to give users more usable space for typing than a typical 5.5-inch all-touch smartphone. The sleek aluminum frame, soft-touch textured back and scratch-resistant 4.5-inch Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 screen, provide excellent durability.
The 35-key Smart Keyboard provides up to 52 programmable shortcuts, for quick access to favorite apps and key contacts. Its touch-responsive surface – similar to that of a trackpad – enables users to quickly scroll through webpages or emails. Predictive text and the ability to ‘flick’ words onto the screen while typing makes message composition fast. The KEYone also features world’s first keyboard-embedded fingerprint sensor, providing added convenience.
The BlackBerry® KEYone is also the world’s most secure Android smartphone. It gives users visibility and control over sharing of personal information and location details, and comes with the built-in DTEK privacy monitoring app. Featuring the largest battery ever found in a BlackBerry smartphone, the KEYone offers up to 26 hours of mixed use, thanks to its 3505mAh battery unit, and with Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 3.0 technology, can regain up to 50 percent charge in roughly 36 minutes.
It comes with the convenience and functionality of Android™ 7.1 Nougat, giving users access to over one million apps in the Google Play™ store, including BlackBerry Hub® for consolidated management of emails, texts and messages in one place.
The 12MP rear camera features the industry-leading Sony IMX378 sensor and with its wide aperture lens and dual-tone flash, captures images of superior colour and clarity. The 8MP front camera with fixed focus, LCD Flash, and 84-degree wide angle lens is ideal for video conferencing on the go.
The BlackBerry® KEYone is powered by a Qualcomm 8953 Snapdragon 625 Octa-Core 2.0 GHz, 64-bit processor and comes with 3GB of RAM and 30GB of built-in storage. It will support Micro SD cards with up to 2TB capacity.
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Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, used under license, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services.
About Tech Data
Tech Data Corporation is one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of technology products, services and solutions. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 115,000 resellers to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users in more than 100 countries. Tech Data generated $26.2 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017. It is ranked No. 108 on the Fortune 500® and one of Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies.” To learn more, visit www.techdata.com, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information contact:
Andy Dow
Group Marketing Director
Tech Data UK
Tel: 01256 864611
About TCL Communication
TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCL Communication) designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile and internet products and services worldwide under three key brands – TCL, Alcatel and BlackBerry. The company’s portfolio of products are currently sold in over 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, TCL Communication ranked as a top-10 global smartphone manufacturer by IDC. Headquartered in Hong Kong, TCL Communication operates nine R&D centers worldwide, employing more than 13,500 people across the globe. For more information, please visit www.tclcom.com.
TCL is a registered trademark of TCL Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Alcatel is a trademark of Alcatel-Lucent used under license by TCL Communication.