When I first picked up the BlackBerry KEY2 LE again, it reminded me of a time when phones were about emails, calls, and typing properly. A few days later, switching back to the Google Pixel 5 felt like returning to a modern smartphone world faster apps, smoother scrolling, and a camera I could trust without thinking. I used both phones for over a month in real Bangladeshi conditions: hot afternoons, outdoor use, crowded networks, and long daily screen time. 

The KEY2 LE made typing comfortable but struggled with speed and camera consistency. The Pixel 5 felt more balanced overall, especially for performance and photography. In Bangladesh’s unofficial market, price and condition matter a lot, so this comparison focuses on real usage, daily speed, gaming comfort, network stability, camera reliability, and display quality, to help you decide which phone still makes sense today.

I checked prices by visiting major mobile markets in Bangladesh and reviewing trusted local online sellers. The BlackBerry KEY2 LE is no longer officially available, so all units in the market are unofficial, mostly old stock or refurbished. Because of this, pricing depends heavily on condition, battery health, and seller reliability. The Google Pixel 5 was also never officially launched in Bangladesh, but it remains in higher demand. As a result, sellers price it more consistently and often higher than the KEY2 LE. Over the years, the Pixel 5 has held its resale value better, while the KEY2 LE price has dropped faster due to limited software support and lower buyer interest.

Unofficial / Grey Market Buying Risk

With both phones, there is no official warranty. KEY2 LE buyers should worry more about battery condition, while Pixel 5 buyers should carefully check display and motherboard health before buying.

I tested both phones with games that actually suit their processing power. On the BlackBerry KEY2 LE, I played Free Fire, Subway Surfers, Temple Run 2, and Clash Royale. These ran fine, but after longer sessions I noticed slower response and some heating. I avoided heavier games because the phone clearly struggled.

On the Google Pixel 5, I played the same games plus PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile on medium settings. Gameplay felt smoother, touch response was better, and performance stayed stable even during long sessions in warm rooms. Heating was also better controlled.

Battery Health Reality

During my gaming, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE battery dropped quickly, and I had to recharge it more often during the day. The phone also felt warmer over time, which made me cautious about long sessions. The Google Pixel 5 showed better battery stability, lost power more slowly, and felt safer for longer gaming and daily use.

The first time I noticed the difference between these two phones was during a regular workday, calls, mobile data, and Wi-Fi switching all day long. I used both phones with Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel in different parts of Dhaka, including indoor and outdoor areas. For voice calls, both phones were reliable on 2G and 3G. But when it came to mobile internet, the Pixel 5 held signals more steadily, especially on 4G LTE. In weaker coverage zones, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE dropped to lower networks more often. Wi-Fi performance also felt more stable on the Pixel 5, particularly in crowded home and office networks.

• BlackBerry KEY2 LE: I found the IPS LCD display okay for emails and messages, but under bright Bangladeshi sunlight it struggled. Colors looked flat, and long nighttime use felt less comfortable on my eyes, especially for videos and social media.

• Google Pixel 5: The OLED display felt clearly better in daily use. Blacks looked deeper, colors were richer, and outdoor visibility was stronger. Watching YouTube, scrolling Facebook, and reading at night felt more comfortable and modern.

Using the KEY2 LE camera felt average at best. Daylight photos were okay, but details were weak. Low-light photos were noisy and soft. Video recording was basic and shaky. The Pixel 5 camera experience was on another level. Daylight photos looked sharp and balanced. Night photos were clearly better, even without effort. Video stabilization was smoother and more reliable.

Between the two, Pixel 5 is far more dependable for photos and videos. KEY2 LE simply can’t compete anymore.

If you really need a physical keyboard and mainly do emails and calls, KEY2 LE can still work. For most people, Pixel 5 is the smarter and safer choice.

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE is for keyboard lovers only. The Google Pixel 5 is better for performance, camera, display, and long-term daily use in Bangladesh.

Which phone has better camera reliability?

Google Pixel 5. It consistently delivers usable photos in daylight and night, unlike KEY2 LE’s hit-or-miss results.

Is Pixel 5 faster than BlackBerry KEY2 LE in daily use?

Yes. Pixel 5 feels smoother in apps, multitasking, and browsing, while KEY2 LE shows lag with modern apps.

Does KEY2 LE overheat during gaming?

It warms quickly and throttles during long sessions. Pixel 5 manages heat noticeably better.

Is the physical keyboard worth it in 2026?

Only if typing is your top priority. For most users, touchscreen speed beats keyboard nostalgia.

Are software updates still relevant on these phones?

Google Pixel 5 benefits more from Google’s update history. KEY2 LE software feels outdated now.