[megafan2000]

It was suggested to me that I open a separate thread for this particular post so a proper discussion can be had and my post not get buried.

T-Mobile PRIV - AAW068
Unlocked KEY1 - ABA676
Unlocked KEY2 - ABC432

For me personally, the biggest tests I tend to give my smartphone cameras is when I go to concerts and wrestling/boxing events. I never mess around with the settings too much - just 1080p 30fps. So here's a non-scientific set of results that are still on my YouTube. As you can see the KEY2 videos looks like crap right now. Hopefully an update can get it at least to KEYone level

Shot on PRIV:
Good light, arena

Low light, intimate

Outdoors


Shot on KEYone:
OK light, small venue



Shot on KEY2 on Wednesday:

[krazyatom]

Great job.

[WT44]

It was suggested to me that I open a separate thread for this particular post so a proper discussion can be had and my post not get buried.

T-Mobile PRIV - AAW068
Unlocked KEY1 - ABA676
Unlocked KEY2 - ABC432

For me personally, the biggest tests I tend to give my smartphone cameras is when I go to concerts and wrestling/boxing events. I never mess around with the settings too much - just 1080p 30fps. So here's a non-scientific set of results that are still on my YouTube. As you can see the KEY2 videos looks like crap right now. Hopefully an update can get it at least to KEYone level

Your post is really an eye-opener.

As I said before, I'm a passionate BlackBerry/TCL PKB phone enthusiast (despite RIM/BB/TCL $hitty cams which they are notoriously known for) but since I also go out a lot like you do (unlike all the extremely busy "business users" on CB who don't have time for social things and who rather use DSLR cameras for their rare photos, because a phone is not a toy but a tool LOL), and also like you: indoor sport events, concerts and what not, your wonderful comparison actually has helped me a lot regarding whether or not to finally pull the trigger to buy the Key2.

I already had doubts buying this thing since the day Thurber "leaked" photos which he supposedly took with the Key2.....as expected....IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Of course, he too knows, that every modern-day smartphone shoots almost equally good under such conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy would not even use a BlackBerry himself (just like Drake, Alicia Keys, Simmons, Kardashians, Hilton and those other "celebs" who were "caught" using something different on their own time, despite having sponsorship deals and what not LOL). You know, if BB/TCL would for once get their act together, not CHEAPING OUT on their stupid low-quality camera's, then maybe they would finally get some traction again.

It's not software related. It's hardware related.
*Priv added 2 features during it's software lifespan : Torch. Manual mode (which is full of bugs anyways: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...r-mode-1136515 )
Never did the photo quality/post processing software improve.
*KeyOne added 1 feature during it's software lifespan: Locker mode. Never did the photo quality improve/post processing software improve.
I see a pattern here.
*Key2....nothing they can or will do to significantly improve the photo quality/post processing software.

In the end it's just two $hitty camera's in stead of one.

Wobbly space bar, no OIS, 18MP to 12MP reduction, BS resell value, no proper selfie cam flash but only a low quality LCD flash, removal of the CTRL key for that imo useless speed key, removal of the mute/pause key, Dual-SIM variant (my preferred choice for EUR 700) not having active dual-SIM but standby dual-SIM, No native clone feature (like every serious dual-SIM company includes on this type of phone):
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ature-1147837/
Security patches/Android versions which are dirt slow to be released, BB's own software is a joke: HARDLY do they get updated. HARDLY suggestions are taken over.
*Redactor: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...piece-1149922/
*Notes: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...reased-1141633
*Locker mode: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ideos-1140404/
*Password keeper: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...keeper-1134002
*HUB: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...art-ii-1135280
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...-years-1132944
And many other topics full of bugs and suggestions which are just jettisoned.
Then there is: lag/stutter/jumpiness of scrolling with the capacitive keys, Uncertainty about if/how Android Pie's gesture-based interface will work, Removal of USB Mass Storage, Stupid placement of the convenience key (in stead of having it more at the bottom like the 9900 where you wouldn't press on it every time you pickup the phone), No stereo speakers (embarrassing that colleagues suggest to use their phones during a conference call) , $hitty fingerprint scanner which needs a couple of try's (compared to Key1's perfect scanner), No (dual) sim slot AND SD card slot (like on the Priv), No removable battery (although this can be considered moot since the Key1), Removal of toolbelt (trackpad), I can live with not having amoled screen, but the screen is so bad that I can't see $hit outside when the sun's shining (since the Key1).

What I find funny, is why BB/TCL remain to be so arrogant.
Better they just get their $hit together and maybe also spend a little bit more money on getting a great amount of technical qualified people who don't have this 9-5 mentality. Guys like SMCV back in the day and c.Bryant24 which both either not work for BB/TCL any longer and/or not post here any longer. I also now start to understand why they literally only have 1 guy who works for them who is responsible for the global "marketing" with small get together parties. And maybe also one guy who sells an occasional banner here and there and who makes fake accounts on Insta to add to BlackBerry mobile's 150k account (happens a lot). LOL.

You know, phones do not sell themselves as hotcakes lol.

But damn, this phone really sucks (even for a "fanboi" like me). The videos the topic starter posted are just a joke. 700 euros for this "art of work"?! No thanks. BB/TCL is probably just too embarrassed to promote this phone....scared for the slaughter which would inevitably follow seeing the indoor performance of this phone. It's not even worthy to upload to youtube....I can't see nothing.

I might be addicted to PKB's, but this might really be the first time I'm gonna skip a BlackBerry phone. My current black Dual-SIM 64GB still works as perfect as on the first day of unboxing. Oreo will hopefully be released before Christmas 2018 (or Christmas 2019) LOL.

Why am I not surprised that this topic doesn't get more traffic?

CrackBerry/BB/TCL/RIM users will probably still defend these videos....
But every word defending these videos will be embarrassing regardless.

[Summer_Moon]

Your post is really an eye-opener.

As I said before, I'm a passionate BlackBerry/TCL PKB phone enthusiast (despite RIM/BB/TCL $hitty cams which they are notoriously known for) but since I also go out a lot like you do (unlike all the extremely busy "business users" on CB who don't have time for social things and who rather use DSLR cameras for their rare photos, because a phone is not a toy but a tool LOL), and also like you: indoor sport events, concerts and what not, your wonderful comparison actually has helped me a lot regarding whether or not to finally pull the trigger to buy the Key2.

I already had doubts buying this thing since the day Thurber "leaked" photos which he supposedly took with the Key2.....as expected....IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Of course, he too knows, that every modern-day smartphone shoots almost equally good under such conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy would not even use a BlackBerry himself (just like Drake, Alicia Keys, Simmons, Kardashians, Hilton and those other "celebs" who were "caught" using something different on their own time, despite having sponsorship deals and what not LOL). You know, if BB/TCL would for once get their act together, not CHEAPING OUT on their stupid low-quality camera's, then maybe they would finally get some traction again.

It's not software related. It's hardware related.
*Priv added 2 features during it's software lifespan : Torch. Manual mode (which is full of bugs anyways: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...r-mode-1136515 )
Never did the photo quality/post processing software improve.
*KeyOne added 1 feature during it's software lifespan: Locker mode. Never did the photo quality improve/post processing software improve.
I see a pattern here.
*Key2....nothing they can or will do to significantly improve the photo quality/post processing software.

In the end it's just two $hitty camera's in stead of one.

Wobbly space bar, no OIS, 18MP to 12MP reduction, BS resell value, no proper selfie cam flash but only a low quality LCD flash, removal of the CTRL key for that imo useless speed key, removal of the mute/pause key, Dual-SIM variant (my preferred choice for EUR 700) not having active dual-SIM but standby dual-SIM, No native clone feature (like every serious dual-SIM company includes on this type of phone):
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ature-1147837/
Security patches/Android versions which are dirt slow to be released, BB's own software is a joke: HARDLY do they get updated. HARDLY suggestions are taken over.
*Redactor: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...piece-1149922/
*Notes: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...reased-1141633
*Locker mode: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ideos-1140404/
*Password keeper: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...keeper-1134002
*HUB: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...art-ii-1135280
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...-years-1132944
And many other topics full of bugs and suggestions which are just jettisoned.
Then there is: lag/stutter/jumpiness of scrolling with the capacitive keys, Uncertainty about if/how Android Pie's gesture-based interface will work, Removal of USB Mass Storage, Stupid placement of the convenience key (in stead of having it more at the bottom like the 9900 where you wouldn't press on it every time you pickup the phone), No stereo speakers (embarrassing that colleagues suggest to use their phones during a conference call) , $hitty fingerprint scanner which needs a couple of try's (compared to Key1's perfect scanner), No (dual) sim slot AND SD card slot (like on the Priv), No removable battery (although this can be considered moot since the Key1), I can live with not having amoled screen, but the screen is so bad that I can't see $hit outside when the sun's shining (since the Key1).

What I find funny, is why BB/TCL remain to be so arrogant.
Better they just get their $hit together and maybe also spend a little bit more money on getting a great amount of technical qualified people who don't have this 9-5 mentality. Guys like SMCV back in the day and c.Bryant24 which both either not work for BB/TCL any longer and/or not post here any longer. I also now start to understand why they literally only have 1 guy who works for them who is responsible for the global "marketing" with small get together parties. And maybe also one guy who sells an occasional banner here and there and who makes fake accounts on Insta to add to BlackBerry mobile's 150k account (happens a lot). LOL.

You know, phones do not sell themselves as hotcakes lol.

But damn, this phone really sucks (even for a "fanboi" like me). The videos the topic starter posted are just a joke. 700 euros for this "art of work"?! No thanks. BB/TCL is probably just too embarrassed to promote this phone....scared for the slaughter which would inevitably follow seeing the indoor performance of this phone. It's not even worthy to upload to youtube....I can't see nothing.

I might be addicted to PKB's, but this might really be the first time I'm gonna skip a BlackBerry phone. My current black Dual-SIM 64GB still works as perfect as on the first day of unboxing. Oreo will hopefully be released before Christmas 2018 (or Christmas 2019) LOL.

Why am I not surprised that this topic doesn't get more traffic?

CrackBerry/BB/TCL/RIM users will probably still defend these videos....
But every word defending these videos will be embarrassing regardless.

wow, you seem a little upset at TCL. FYI, if it makes you feel any better I always find the phones/companies that are about to leave the market. I've got an excellent track record Palm WebOS, Windows Mobile 6, Windows Phone 7, 8, and 8.1, Windows 10 Mobile, BlackBerry OS 10, and now BlackBerry Key2. So you can rest easy knowing that this phone and company is about to end. You're welcome!

[WT44]

wow, you seem a little upset at TCL. FYI, if it makes you feel any better I always find the phones/companies that are about to leave the market. I've got an excellent track record Palm WebOS, Windows Mobile 6, Windows Phone 7, 8, and 8.1, Windows 10 Mobile, BlackBerry OS 10, and now BlackBerry Key2. So you can rest easy knowing that this phone and company is about to end. You're welcome!

Upset, no. Sad yes. Sad that there are so many missed opportunities to make it a better product than it now is. Sad that useful "iconic" stuff keeps getting stripped because of poor design choices. Sad that bugs or useful suggestions take years to be added (if at all). Sad that all their apps hardly get updates. Sad that their cams remain poor. Sad that they never seem to learn from their mistakes or improve. Sad that they're still arrogant as ever, thinking people will buy dog$hit regardless. Sad that over the long haul your "cynical" response will turn out to be reality one day. Overall, sad as in loving a child, seeing them grow up, and then seeing them make poor life choices continuously (dropping out of high school/university, $hitty low-paid jobs, wrong boyfriends, possibly all kinds of addictions, getting children at a young age, etc.) but still, still you love 'em....

[Summer_Moon]

Upset, no. Sad yes. Sad that there are so many missed opportunities to make it a better product than it now is. Sad that useful "iconic" stuff keeps getting stripped because of poor design choices. Sad that bugs or useful suggestions take years to be added (if at all). Sad that all their apps hardly get updates. Sad that their cams remain poor. Sad that they never seem to learn from their mistakes or improve. Sad that they're still arrogant as ever, thinking people will buy dog$hit regardless. Sad that over the long haul your "cynical" response will turn out to be reality one day. Overall, sad as in loving a child, seeing them grow up, and then seeing them make poor life choices continuously (dropping out of high school/university, $hitty low-paid jobs, wrong boyfriends, possibly all kinds of addictions, getting children at a young age, etc.) but still, still you love 'em....

Okay, that makes sense. I can understand that. There are little choices that make me go "what were they thinking". At the same time this is such a niche device that I don't think they are really too worried about it right now.

[the_boon]

Apparently the august update significantly improved camera quality

[Summer_Moon]

Apparently the august update significantly improved camera quality

If that's true then I am very excited! I don't have the August update yet, only July

[megafan2000]

Apparently the august update significantly improved camera quality

Well then I guess I'll find out depending when the August update actually pushes. Better be by next weekend so I can test it on Takeover, and Raw+SD after Summerslam.

[jojetski]

Your post is really an eye-opener.

As I said before, I'm a passionate BlackBerry/TCL PKB phone enthusiast (despite RIM/BB/TCL $hitty cams which they are notoriously known for) but since I also go out a lot like you do (unlike all the extremely busy "business users" on CB who don't have time for social things and who rather use DSLR cameras for their rare photos, because a phone is not a toy but a tool LOL), and also like you: indoor sport events, concerts and what not, your wonderful comparison actually has helped me a lot regarding whether or not to finally pull the trigger to buy the Key2.

I already had doubts buying this thing since the day Thurber "leaked" photos which he supposedly took with the Key2.....as expected....IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Of course, he too knows, that every modern-day smartphone shoots almost equally good under such conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy would not even use a BlackBerry himself (just like Drake, Alicia Keys, Simmons, Kardashians, Hilton and those other "celebs" who were "caught" using something different on their own time, despite having sponsorship deals and what not LOL). You know, if BB/TCL would for once get their act together, not CHEAPING OUT on their stupid low-quality camera's, then maybe they would finally get some traction again.

It's not software related. It's hardware related.
*Priv added 2 features during it's software lifespan : Torch. Manual mode (which is full of bugs anyways: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...r-mode-1136515 )
Never did the photo quality/post processing software improve.
*KeyOne added 1 feature during it's software lifespan: Locker mode. Never did the photo quality improve/post processing software improve.
I see a pattern here.
*Key2....nothing they can or will do to significantly improve the photo quality/post processing software.

In the end it's just two $hitty camera's in stead of one.

Wobbly space bar, no OIS, 18MP to 12MP reduction, BS resell value, no proper selfie cam flash but only a low quality LCD flash, removal of the CTRL key for that imo useless speed key, removal of the mute/pause key, Dual-SIM variant (my preferred choice for EUR 700) not having active dual-SIM but standby dual-SIM, No native clone feature (like every serious dual-SIM company includes on this type of phone):
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ature-1147837/
Security patches/Android versions which are dirt slow to be released, BB's own software is a joke: HARDLY do they get updated. HARDLY suggestions are taken over.
*Redactor: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...piece-1149922/
*Notes: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...reased-1141633
*Locker mode: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ideos-1140404/
*Password keeper: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...keeper-1134002
*HUB: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...art-ii-1135280
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...-years-1132944
And many other topics full of bugs and suggestions which are just jettisoned.
Then there is: lag/stutter/jumpiness of scrolling with the capacitive keys, Uncertainty about if/how Android Pie's gesture-based interface will work, Removal of USB Mass Storage, Stupid placement of the convenience key (in stead of having it more at the bottom like the 9900 where you wouldn't press on it every time you pickup the phone), No stereo speakers (embarrassing that colleagues suggest to use their phones during a conference call) , $hitty fingerprint scanner which needs a couple of try's (compared to Key1's perfect scanner), No (dual) sim slot AND SD card slot (like on the Priv), No removable battery (although this can be considered moot since the Key1), Removal of toolbelt (trackpad), I can live with not having amoled screen, but the screen is so bad that I can't see $hit outside when the sun's shining (since the Key1).

What I find funny, is why BB/TCL remain to be so arrogant.
Better they just get their $hit together and maybe also spend a little bit more money on getting a great amount of technical qualified people who don't have this 9-5 mentality. Guys like SMCV back in the day and c.Bryant24 which both either not work for BB/TCL any longer and/or not post here any longer. I also now start to understand why they literally only have 1 guy who works for them who is responsible for the global "marketing" with small get together parties. And maybe also one guy who sells an occasional banner here and there and who makes fake accounts on Insta to add to BlackBerry mobile's 150k account (happens a lot). LOL.

You know, phones do not sell themselves as hotcakes lol.

But damn, this phone really sucks (even for a "fanboi" like me). The videos the topic starter posted are just a joke. 700 euros for this "art of work"?! No thanks. BB/TCL is probably just too embarrassed to promote this phone....scared for the slaughter which would inevitably follow seeing the indoor performance of this phone. It's not even worthy to upload to youtube....I can't see nothing.

I might be addicted to PKB's, but this might really be the first time I'm gonna skip a BlackBerry phone. My current black Dual-SIM 64GB still works as perfect as on the first day of unboxing. Oreo will hopefully be released before Christmas 2018 (or Christmas 2019) LOL.

Why am I not surprised that this topic doesn't get more traffic?

CrackBerry/BB/TCL/RIM users will probably still defend these videos....
But every word defending these videos will be embarrassing regardless.

I love a well thought out rant with documentation...good job. I have different use cases for my phone but I still appreciate someone who take the time to rant well not ridiculous and puts some humor in it too.

[deiop]

Oh god, the video quality of the K2 is nearly unacceptable. I personally think the Video taken with the K1 is okay, but man - the video from the K2 is - I have no words for that.

Thank you for your examples. It is really an eye-opener. I don't think that TCL will fix this to an acceptable level - Conite will keep on telling us that TCL has modified something in the camera app code and that everything will be "good" . But when I see that K2's video - in no way I see a possibility to fix that bad quality to a acceptable level by tweaking the software.

I am very sad about this. Like I was a couple of years ago when they put a fixed-focus camera in the 9900.

[Dino84]

Wow thats terrible... Not a dealbreaker for me since I rarely record video and even more rarely watch the recorded footage, but that was really really bad...

On a side note I never understood why anyone would wanna ruin a live concert experience by filming with their phone. Unbelievable.

[megafan2000]

On a side note I never understood why anyone would wanna ruin a live concert experience by filming with their phone. Unbelievable.

The unexperienced hold the phones right in front of their faces and watch through there thus losing out on the live experience. I've perfected my craft over the years of pointing but still watching the live show apart from an occasional glance during slow parts of the song to make sure I'm still in frame. Besides, for that Smashing Pumpkins show last week I had row 1 seats in my section, so I was resting the KEY2 on the rail 90% of the time.

[stormzero]

Your post is really an eye-opener.

As I said before, I'm a passionate BlackBerry/TCL PKB phone enthusiast (despite RIM/BB/TCL $hitty cams which they are notoriously known for) but since I also go out a lot like you do (unlike all the extremely busy "business users" on CB who don't have time for social things and who rather use DSLR cameras for their rare photos, because a phone is not a toy but a tool LOL), and also like you: indoor sport events, concerts and what not, your wonderful comparison actually has helped me a lot regarding whether or not to finally pull the trigger to buy the Key2.

I already had doubts buying this thing since the day Thurber "leaked" photos which he supposedly took with the Key2.....as expected....IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Of course, he too knows, that every modern-day smartphone shoots almost equally good under such conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy would not even use a BlackBerry himself (just like Drake, Alicia Keys, Simmons, Kardashians, Hilton and those other "celebs" who were "caught" using something different on their own time, despite having sponsorship deals and what not LOL). You know, if BB/TCL would for once get their act together, not CHEAPING OUT on their stupid low-quality camera's, then maybe they would finally get some traction again.

It's not software related. It's hardware related.
*Priv added 2 features during it's software lifespan : Torch. Manual mode (which is full of bugs anyways: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...r-mode-1136515 )
Never did the photo quality/post processing software improve.
*KeyOne added 1 feature during it's software lifespan: Locker mode. Never did the photo quality improve/post processing software improve.
I see a pattern here.
*Key2....nothing they can or will do to significantly improve the photo quality/post processing software.

In the end it's just two $hitty camera's in stead of one.

Wobbly space bar, no OIS, 18MP to 12MP reduction, BS resell value, no proper selfie cam flash but only a low quality LCD flash, removal of the CTRL key for that imo useless speed key, removal of the mute/pause key, Dual-SIM variant (my preferred choice for EUR 700) not having active dual-SIM but standby dual-SIM, No native clone feature (like every serious dual-SIM company includes on this type of phone):
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ature-1147837/
Security patches/Android versions which are dirt slow to be released, BB's own software is a joke: HARDLY do they get updated. HARDLY suggestions are taken over.
*Redactor: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...piece-1149922/
*Notes: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...reased-1141633
*Locker mode: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ideos-1140404/
*Password keeper: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...keeper-1134002
*HUB: https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...art-ii-1135280
https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...-years-1132944
And many other topics full of bugs and suggestions which are just jettisoned.
Then there is: lag/stutter/jumpiness of scrolling with the capacitive keys, Uncertainty about if/how Android Pie's gesture-based interface will work, Removal of USB Mass Storage, Stupid placement of the convenience key (in stead of having it more at the bottom like the 9900 where you wouldn't press on it every time you pickup the phone), No stereo speakers (embarrassing that colleagues suggest to use their phones during a conference call) , $hitty fingerprint scanner which needs a couple of try's (compared to Key1's perfect scanner), No (dual) sim slot AND SD card slot (like on the Priv), No removable battery (although this can be considered moot since the Key1), Removal of toolbelt (trackpad), I can live with not having amoled screen, but the screen is so bad that I can't see $hit outside when the sun's shining (since the Key1).

What I find funny, is why BB/TCL remain to be so arrogant.
Better they just get their $hit together and maybe also spend a little bit more money on getting a great amount of technical qualified people who don't have this 9-5 mentality. Guys like SMCV back in the day and c.Bryant24 which both either not work for BB/TCL any longer and/or not post here any longer. I also now start to understand why they literally only have 1 guy who works for them who is responsible for the global "marketing" with small get together parties. And maybe also one guy who sells an occasional banner here and there and who makes fake accounts on Insta to add to BlackBerry mobile's 150k account (happens a lot). LOL.

You know, phones do not sell themselves as hotcakes lol.

But damn, this phone really sucks (even for a "fanboi" like me). The videos the topic starter posted are just a joke. 700 euros for this "art of work"?! No thanks. BB/TCL is probably just too embarrassed to promote this phone....scared for the slaughter which would inevitably follow seeing the indoor performance of this phone. It's not even worthy to upload to youtube....I can't see nothing.

I might be addicted to PKB's, but this might really be the first time I'm gonna skip a BlackBerry phone. My current black Dual-SIM 64GB still works as perfect as on the first day of unboxing. Oreo will hopefully be released before Christmas 2018 (or Christmas 2019) LOL.

Why am I not surprised that this topic doesn't get more traffic?

CrackBerry/BB/TCL/RIM users will probably still defend these videos....
But every word defending these videos will be embarrassing regardless.

You nailed it!