An input key subassembly for a handheld communication device is dislosed herein. The input key subassembly includes a dome overlay panel and a lightguide panel. The dome overlay panel includes a dome overlay layer and a dome switch having a peak facing frontally. The dome overlay layer has a front face located adjacent to the backside of the lightguide panel. The lightguide panel has at least one keystem and is located above a respective dome switch. A recessed perimeter region about the keystem has a height relative to the backside of the lightguide panel that is less than a height between the front side of the lightguide panel and the backside of the lightguide panel.