Need help finding a new phone!

[Chuck Finley69]

Hey guys! I'm a regular over at crackberry. I have come to the conclusion that there are no new keyboard devices on the horizon and I would like to sell my RED Key2 while it still has value. I'm not fully ready to give up the pkb, but I know my time is running out. Any recommendations on a new phone that meets the list below? Thanks for your help!
1. Customizable convenience key
2. 6GB / 128 GB with micro SD (exFAT compatible)
3. 6+ inch AMOLED screen
4. Quality cameras, something I have never really had since the PRIV (at best).
5. $500ish price range.
6. Android 10
7. snapdragon 66x or better
8. 4000mah battery or better
9. Fingerprint sensor
10. Stereo speakers
11. Headphone jack
12. Notification LED
13. Metal / nonglass frame

Congrats on the Pro 10 and be sure to post the review here too....

 

[Morty2264]

Thank everyone for the help! I decided to go with the TCL Pro 10, which will be arriving on Monday. Best buy had a sale ($379 brand new) and I could not turn that down. It checks basically every box, including the customizable smartkey (3 actions!!), 4500mah battery, headphone jack, SD card slot, amoled display, etc, etc. I think I will be very happy with this purchase. It even uses the outer edges as a notification LED!

For those that recommended the Titan. I tried it and sold it. Too heavy, terrible camera, and a keyboard that just wasn't up to par with what I am used to.

What a gorgeous-looking phone! It sounds like it will serve you well! Happy Phone Weekend! Let us know when it arrives and how you are liking it!

 

[B. Diddy]

I decided on the TCL Pro 10.

Definitely give us a report on the phone when you get it! I've read plenty of reviews, but am curious how it is in the real world. It looks like a great value!

 

[the_boon]

And we have a winner!

THANK YOU for all of the replies! Heck, my first post even led to an article on the homepage? Good stuff.

I decided on the TCL Pro 10. The customizable smart key was really a dealbreaker for me, so I pulled the trigger when I saw Best Buy was offering it for $379 brand new. I picked one for me to replace my Red Key2 and one for my wife to replace her Key2LE. Both will be going to the crackberry marketplace and/or ebay when the 10 Pros arrive.

Battery, headphone jack, expandable storage, amoled screen, quality cameras, metal frame...it just ticks so many boxes! I am also anticipating a rather easy transition since I have technically been using TCL hardware for a few years now with the KEYone and KEY2.

Cheers everyone!

Man, the day I'd move on from my KEY2... I know I'd wanna keep it anyways even as a secondary device and also for nostalgic reasons.

It's always good to have a backup phone regardless of what you have as a primary.

 

[KOHTYP]

I still use my KEY2 LE, and I don't want to give it up. Will use one until it breaks or becomes unusable. I'll switch to either Unihertz Titan or whatever they'll release next (They seem to be updating their old devices like Jelly or Atom with newer versions) or something from TCL. Having double-bluetooth and a customizable key features is amazing

 

[roba5263]

Man, the day I'd move on from my KEY2... I know I'd wanna keep it anyways even as a secondary device and also for nostalgic reasons.

It's always good to have a backup phone regardless of what you have as a primary.

I would hold on to it...but it's too valuable!

 

[the_boon]

I would hold on to it...but it's too valuable!

Right, so I'd sell that one because it's Red and then use a small portion of that money towards a cheap KEY2 or LE as a backup/secondary. Those that don't come with their box and original accessories typically go for a lot less on Swappa and eBay.

 

[roba5263]

Looooooooongtime BB user here. I do miss the PKB a bit, but I really miss BB's overall intuitive system and ease of use. Anyway, I moved to the Galaxy S10+ last year when my Motion screen cracked. The battery was getting a bit finicky as well, for a daily driver. After years of sub-par cameras on the BBs, that's the main reason I moved to the Galaxy. I still use, and pay for, BlackBerry Hub because I love the way it handles all my email accounts. I also use the SwiftKey keyboard since it seemed to be the closest I could get to the BB VKB. I don't swipe to type, but I pretty much can't live without being able to swipe left to erase the last word or two. And I still use my Motion to play Pokemon Go when I'm at home. It'll be a sad, sad day when that phone finally dies.

I am using SwiftKey myself now after testing multiple keyboards since my 10 Pro arrived. I am still ridiculously slow and in accurate now, but SwiftKey has the best autocorrect (I hate that I need that now) and many of the bb vkb features like swipe to delete a word. I even installed the bb vkb, but it's future is uncertain at the least. I will adjust to this in time.

The pro 10 is lovely. It has been nice relearning gesture controls like back in the bb10 days. I'm currently using swipe up to home, swipe up and hold for recents, and swipe up from the bottom left/right for back. This seems to work better than Google's navigation. Back from the side doesn't play nicely in apps with edges.

The screen is awesome on this thing and the build quality in general is top notch. I'm impressed by what TCL is doing on their own now. Looking forward to continued use!

 

[BEaRebel]

I just purchased the TCL 10 Pro...
Do you feel you get decent quality images on this I am tired of Editing everything I Shoot. I use "Photo Editor" by DevMcGyver for Higher Quality. This Stock Editor is not bad, but (most) Hack down Size. (Biggest concern is detail in Close-ups. Not EZ to achieve.)

Maybe I should start using Swiftkey again. G Board does not work well with this, I keep popping out of the Screen/App I'm in. Such a PAIN.
GBoard + App Icon Size = PIAss.

Actually, may need to consider looking into another phone... May need to go spend a bit more. This was @333$

Besides the Pixel & Motorola, anyone have ideas ?
Much appreciated, as Always.

 

[Mooncatt]

I just purchased the TCL 10 Pro...
Do you feel you get decent quality images on this I am tired of Editing everything I Shoot. I use "Photo Editor" by DevMcGyver for Higher Quality. This Stock Editor is not bad, but (most) Hack down Size. (Biggest concern is detail in Close-ups. Not EZ to achieve.)

I'm into photography as a hobby, and even my DSLR pics require editing (my last photo shoot took about 5 hours on one photo due to a steep learning curve on sharpening). Editing in photography is almost a way of life if you are looking for more than point and shoot quality. I do love that Photo Editor app, though. It's a hidden gem in the sea of filter based apps that think editing means putting animal ears and rainbows on everything.

That said, TCL isn't a well known brand for phones. I'm certain you'll find better options out there, but you will have to pay a higher price for them. For point and shoot, I would consider Samsung as well. If you want manual controls, look at LG's V-series line. Even their V60 is getting up to par with Samsung and Pixel for auto modes, which use to be their weakness.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

I used to have a Nokia 7.1.
Not a great camera. It was serviceable. Worked great with gboard. It's on the android one program. Look at its successor.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

I used to photograph for the local papers and did weddings, sports, etc. Lightroom and presets became a way of life.

 

[BEaRebel]

Haa. Rainbows + Animal Ears. Never crosses my mind. Cool you like Photo Editor too. Yeas, a Hidden Gem at very Least.

I need images worthy of Gallery Submission.
Asking a lot, I Know.
You are both right, maybe Editing IS A WAY OF LIFE. But Oh, I get SO TIRED (esp when I have a headache).
Asking for just Focused Images, is that too much

I will look at the Nokia Series & Samsung, tho I may want A lot for my $.(TCL 10 Pro seemed to have a lot of bang for the buck.
What do u all think of the One Plus Series as a better point & shoot ?
Looks like no one has them available tho.
Thank u for your input !

 

[tony bag o donuts]

I got my s20 fe for an incredible price. If you can spring for it, its a great device, especially when on sale in the 550.00 price point.

 

[BEaRebel]

Totally be willing to go for 550$ range.
Hope I can find it.
Thank you TBoD !

 

[BEaRebel]

Here are the specs on current phone.

Does this look somewhat similar?
- except CPU
No wireless charging (never had)

Also Questionable updates ...

Question-
Is the phone you have slightly narrow?
I'm petite build, but long fingers.

Overall this phone is Extremely Responsive.
Just need better Images !

 

[tony bag o donuts]

The 20fe is bigger then my note 2 from back in the day lol.
It has the 800 series processor, 120ghz refresh rate, 6gb ram. Android 11 just started rolling out. Updates won't be the fastest but I love the device. I'm not even using a launcher. I'm using it with their one ui interface which is still on 2.5. Battery life fantastic. Microsd slot, wifi 6, and more.

 

[BEaRebel]

I was just looking at my images from my
Huawei Mate SE, and the Detail is better than this TCL. How is this possible
A Double tap on an Image of a Seahorse, I can see his Eyelashes.
Thought I would be upgrading. This is Unnerving.

TBoD ! Looking at the 20fe, 599$ is lowest (128) I can find unless I go to dual sim (256). (B&H photo).

Only have until 31st to return this (^O^).

 

[tony bag o donuts]

I have the 128gb model.
I can try and upload some snapshots if you want.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

Here are two snapshots I just took while at my desk without any playing around. Damn my keyboard is dirty. Only a small desk lamp no other lighting.