Keyboard phones - a guide

Once upon a time, all phones featured a standard numeric keypad. However, as phones became more functional and started incorporating features like emailing, instant messaging, social networking and web browsing, we’ve seen old-fashioned numeric keypads replaced with a QWERTY keyboard.

Keyboard phones typically come in two varieties. They either feature a physical keyboard, for example BlackBerrys, or offer an touchscreen QWERTY keyboard for text entry.

Some models, such as most phones in Nokia’s NSeries range, house a physical keyboard but also allow users to switch to touchscreen text entry if they require it.

Here, we’ll look at the pros and cons of the different approaches to keyboard phones, so you’ll know exactly what to look for.

Why do I need a keyboard phone?

In the last few years, mobile phones have become more functional and more powerful. Most modern phones now offer consumers the chance to send emails, surf the web and work on documents directly from their handset. A simple numeric keypad simply isn’t enough to facilitate this kind of functionality.

Physical QWERTY keyboards

Fans of this type of keyboard claim that physical text entry systems are much easier to use than touchscreen equivalents, which can be fiddly and prone to errors.

To adherents of physical keyboards phones, these phones are better for composing lengthy emails and working on documents while on the go.

Compare the best QWERTY phones at our dedicated comparison page now.

Touchscreen keyboards

These phones replicate a QWERTY keyboard on their displays. While these are popular with most users and are perfectly fine for shorter messages, the heaviest mobile emailers, who make extensive use of their handset’s messaging capabilities, generally favour a physical keyboard.

Some touchscreen keyboards are equipped with haptic feedback. This technology means that whenever you make a tap a key on the screen the phone vibrates slightly to let you know that your touch has registered.

Considering a touchscreen phone? Check out the best deals on touchscreen mobiles at uSwitch now.

Are keyboard phones expensive?

In the early days of mobile phones it’s fair to say that only the more expensive models offered full keyboard features. Moreover, that these models were principally of interest to business users.

However, this has changed as functions such as push email and instant messaging, which are easier with a physical keyboard, have spread to mid-range, cheaper phones.

History of keyboard phones

Keyboard phones have been with us since the arrival of the Clutch i4565 from Motorola. However, the handsets responsible for popularising the technology were BlackBerrys.

Manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM), BlackBerrys combine physical keyboards with enterprise class email. They are still regarded by many as the ultimate phones for business.

Compare BlackBerry mobile phones BlackBerry Phones at uSwitch now.