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I’ve been reviewing Unihertz phones since the Atom arrived in 2018, and I’ve always enjoyed its affordable, if niche, devices. For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing its latest models: Unihertz Titan 2 EliteAnd I can confidently say that this is the best phone ever made by Unihertz.
The biggest reason is the physical keyboard. Unihertz appears to be taking advantage of the excitement over the return of keys – highlighted by the Clicks Communicator, which was first shown at CES in January (but still isn’t available).
Too: The best Android phones you can buy
Second is the attractive form factor of the Titan 2 Elite. Unlike previous Unihertz phones, which tended to be heavier than the competition, the Titan 2 Elite is much slimmer: the same width as the iPhone 17 but about three-quarters as long.
You can back the phone on Kickstarter, the campaign is doing very well with about two weeks left. The Titan 2 Elite will have an MSRP of $489, but can be purchased through a Kickstarter campaign for $389. As always, when it comes to any Kickstarter project you should buy with caution, no matter the reputation of the brand.
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what’s old is new again
Last year’s Unihertz Titan 2 was positioned as a BlackBerry Passport alternative, although with its more robust design it was significantly heavier. In contrast, the Titan Elite 2 is the successor to the BlackBerry Classic, but uses the keyboard as a trackpad.
The Titan 2 Elite is significantly thicker than BlackBerry devices, but with that thickness comes a better display, faster processor, and larger capacity battery. Powered by the latest Android operating system and selling for less than $400, the Titan 2 Elite continues where the BlackBerry left off.
Also: Why I recommend this $450 Samsung phone over competing models from Google and OnePlus
The Titan’s four-row hardware keyboard beneath the 4.03-inch AMOLED display is well-designed with good-sized keys and an angled cutout for left and right thumb action. Tactile feedback is excellent, but the keys are a little tight for my thumbs, resulting in occasional mistypes.
My biggest disappointment with the keyboard is the white letters on the orange phone. The backlight, enabled by swiping up on the keyboard, helps me see letters better. However, the white letters on the orange background create a difficult contrast for my aging eyes. A black model with white keys will probably provide better letter visibility.
I like the fact that Unihertz allows you to set custom shortcuts for both long and short press actions for each letter from A to Z. I have C for Chrome, D for texting my wife Dena, G for Gmail, K for Keep Notes, and several others that I can easily remember.
You can also enable Scroll Assistant and swipe on the keyboard to move up, down, left and right without touching the display. This capability is useful for reading websites, long emails, or documents. It also has a cursor assist mode, so while editing text, you can swipe on the keyboard to move the mouse cursor across the display.
communication first
The Titan 2 Elite is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor, 12GB RAM, and 256GB internal storage. This chip supports 5G networks, and after a visit to my local T-Mobile store, I now have a physical SIM in the Titan 2 Elite with a solid 5G signal and speeds.
Navigation around the device is responsive, and I haven’t noticed any lag. However, I haven’t played games or watched movies for a long time, because the display isn’t optimized for media – it’s communication-focused. When I tested it, playback was quite smooth, and the audio was noticeably clear and loud.
Too: My search for the best MagSafe accessory has ended: This keyboard checks all the boxes
The Titan 2 Elite has a 4050mAh silicon-carbon battery, and its endurance has been solid so far. The only other phone I’ve tested with this new technology is the OnePlus 13, and that was a battery champ. Additionally, the device supports 33W fast charging, which is fast enough to make a helpful 30-minute top-up.
software improvements
Software updates and patches have always been a weak element of the Unihertz brand, so I’m glad to see the Titan 2 Elite launch with Android 16 and a commitment to upgrade the phone to Android 20 with security updates by 2031. This development is important for Unihertz and shows that the company is committed to creating competitive, affordable products.
The Unihertz Titan 2 Elite runs a fairly stock version of Android with no bloatware installed out of the box. There is an app for infrared remote control of FM radio and phone. A handy toolbox application offers several utilities, including a bubble level, an altitude measurement, an alarm, a magnifier, and a protractor.
In addition to creating custom shortcuts for each letter on the keyboard, 11 other keys can be customized for your optimal keyboard experience. The Func1 key is a red key located on the right side, below the side power/fingerprint sensor button. Short-press, long-press and double-press options are available, with my shortcuts set to place notes, camera and screenshots.
Also: How to Easily Encrypt Files on an Android Phone – and the Free App I Use to Do It
I just installed Niagara Launcher on the phone because Clix Communicator uses it to provide a minimal, focused experience. With a phone primarily for communication and keyboard text entry, this launcher could be perfect for reducing time wasted on the Internet.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
Unihertz does a good job of launching unique phones at reasonable prices. titan 2 elite This is a phone I’d recommend to anyone looking for a straightforward device with a physical keyboard. The display is large, the keys are a pleasure to type on, there’s tons of customization, and the battery easily lasts a few days.
That said, this isn’t a phone to serve as your primary camera in all situations, nor does it excel at watching media. But it’s a great summer phone that fits in your shorts pocket and helps you stay in touch with family and friends.
