PhantomCodeAIPhantomCodeAI
FeaturesMock InterviewDashboardJobsPricing
FeaturesMock InterviewDashboardJobsPricing
PhantomCodeAIPhantomCodeAI
FeaturesMock InterviewDashboardJobsPricing
FeaturesMock InterviewDashboardJobsPricing
HomeLeetCode ProblemsSlowest Key
Used by thousands of developers who passed their interviews

How to Solve Slowest Key Problem

Master the Slowest Key LeetCode problem with undetectable real-time assistance. Get instant solutions and explanations during your coding interviews.

PhantomCodeAI generates complete solutions and debugging hints that you can use while explaining your approach, so you stay calm and in control.

undetectable
real-time
works on major platforms
Start Free
Easy#1629
LeetCode Problem

Slowest Key

A newly designed keypad was tested, where a tester pressed a sequence of n keys, one at a time. You are given a string keysPressed of length n, where keysPressed[i] was the ith key pressed in the testing sequence, and a sorted list releaseTimes, where releaseTimes[i] was the time the ith key was released. Both arrays are 0-indexed. The 0th key was pressed at the time 0, and every subsequent key was pressed at the exact time the previous key was released. The tester wants to know the key of the keypress that had the longest duration. The ith keypress had a duration of releaseTimes[i] - releaseTimes[i - 1], and the 0th keypress had a duration of releaseTimes[0]. Note that the same key could have been pressed multiple times during the test, and these multiple presses of the same key may not have had the same duration. Return the key of the keypress that had the longest duration. If there are multiple such keypresses, return the lexicographically largest key of the keypresses.

ArrayString

PhantomCodeAI will help you solve this problem in real-time during your interview

Get instant solutions, explanations, and code generation
Problem Breakdown

Understanding the Slowest Key Problem

Let's break down this LeetCode problem and understand what makes it challenging in interview settings.

Problem Statement

A newly designed keypad was tested, where a tester pressed a sequence of n keys, one at a time. You are given a string keysPressed of length n, where keysPressed[i] was the ith key pressed in the testing sequence, and a sorted list releaseTimes, where releaseTimes[i] was the time the ith key was released. Both arrays are 0-indexed. The 0th key was pressed at the time 0, and every subsequent key was pressed at the exact time the previous key was released. The tester wants to know the key of the keypress that had the longest duration. The ith keypress had a duration of releaseTimes[i] - releaseTimes[i - 1], and the 0th keypress had a duration of releaseTimes[0]. Note that the same key could have been pressed multiple times during the test, and these multiple presses of the same key may not have had the same duration. Return the key of the keypress that had the longest duration. If there are multiple such keypresses, return the lexicographically largest key of the keypresses.

EasyProblem #1629
LeetCode

Slowest Key

Related Topics

ArrayString

How PhantomCodeAI Helps

Get real-time assistance for Slowest Key problems during coding interviews. PhantomCodeAI provides instant solutions and explanations.

Examples

# Example 1

Input
releaseTimes = [9,29,49,50], keysPressed = "cbcd"
Output
"c"

# Example 2

Input
releaseTimes = [12,23,36,46,62], keysPressed = "spuda"
Output
"a"

Constraints

releaseTimes.length == n
keysPressed.length == n
2 <= n <= 1000
1 <= releaseTimes[i] <= 109
releaseTimes[i] < releaseTimes[i+1]
keysPressed contains only lowercase English letters.

How PhantomCodeAI Helps with LeetCode Problems

Reinforce undetectability, platform compatibility, and real-time assistance to remove any doubt.

1000+
developers use PhantomCodeAI
and growing every day
95%
success rate
of users pass their interviews
100%
undetectable
native desktop architecture
Real-time
assistance
instant solutions during interviews

See PhantomCodeAI in Action

Watch how PhantomCodeAI helps solve LeetCode problems during live interviews

PhantomCodeAI
Start Interview
⌘I
Online Round
⌘O
Hide⌘B
Interview
Listening
Think

Solve Slowest Key — A newly designed keypad was tested, where a tester pressed a sequence of n keys,...

Here's the optimal approach using Array:

def solve(input):
# Optimal O(n) solution
return result

Time: O(n)  |  Space: O(n)

Start Over ⌘G
Think & Crack ⌘↵

Undetectability Checklist

Run compatibility test before interviews
Use recommended Zoom version settings
Enable advanced screen capture options
Verify native desktop architecture
Test with screen recording software

Platform Compatibility

Zoom
Supported
Google Meet
Supported
HackerRank
Supported
CodeSignal
Supported
CoderPad
Supported
Teams
Supported

User results and traction

Thousands of developers use PhantomCodeAI. Social proof signals that this approach helps real candidates land offers across a range of companies.

Undetectability and technical details

Our native desktop architecture avoids common detection vectors used by browser extensions. We provide a clear checklist so you can run basic checks and confirm the app will be invisible.

Platform compatibility and limitations

We work with Zoom, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad and other web-based platforms. Check the compatibility note and request a browser link if a specific desktop app is unsupported.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about solving Slowest Key and using PhantomCodeAI during coding interviews.

How does PhantomCodeAI help with LeetCode problems during a coding interview?
PhantomCodeAI reads the problem from a screenshot or listens to it via audio, then generates a complete solution with a step-by-step approach and time/space complexity, so you can focus on explaining your reasoning rather than getting stuck on implementation.
Which programming languages does PhantomCodeAI support?
11 languages including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, and C#. Set a preferred language to get idiomatic solutions.
Does PhantomCodeAI work with HackerRank, CodeSignal, and CoderPad?
Yes — it works alongside LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, and HackerEarth, plus any browser-based coding environment.
Can PhantomCodeAI handle follow-up questions and modifications?
Yes. Capture the modified problem by screenshot or audio and get an updated solution within seconds, including new edge cases and optimizations.
Is PhantomCodeAI detectable during live interviews?
PhantomCodeAI runs as a native desktop overlay that does not appear in screen shares, recordings, or proctoring software, and works with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and major coding platforms.
Should I still practice these problems on my own first?
Yes. The most durable preparation is solving problems unaided first, then using AI afterward to review your approach, complexity, and missed edge cases — use it to debrief and learn, not to skip the reps.

Related LeetCode Problems

Practice more problems similar to Slowest Key.

14Longest Common PrefixEasy49Group AnagramsMedium68Text JustificationHard1Two SumEasy3Longest Substring Without Repeating CharactersMedium4Median of Two Sorted ArraysHard5Longest Palindromic SubstringMedium6Zigzag ConversionMedium
← PreviousGraph Connectivity With ThresholdNext →Arithmetic Subarrays
PhantomCodeAI

20+ Stealth Features. Zero Detection Cases.

The only AI interview tool with an undetectable desktop overlay, real-time audio listening, and personalized AI responses.

Start Free
PhantomCodeAIPhantomCodeAI
PhantomCodeAI is an undetectable desktop application to help you pass your Leetcode interviews.
All systems online
Download

Legal

Refund PolicyTerms of ServiceCancellation PolicyPrivacy Policy

Pages

Contact SupportHelp CenterInstant SupportFAQBlogFeaturesInterview CopilotCoding CopilotInterview QuestionsPricingMock Interview PricingEarn with UsBest AI Interview Assistants 2026FeedbackLeetcode ProblemsLoginCreate Account

Compare

All 29 comparisons →Why switch (29 alternatives) →Interview Coder AlternativeFinal Round AI AlternativeUltraCode AI AlternativeParakeet AI AlternativeAI Apply AlternativeCoderRank AlternativeInterviewing.io AlternativeShadeCoder Alternative

Resources

Salary GuideResume TemplatesWhat Is PhantomCodeAIIs PhantomCodeAI Detectable?Use PhantomCodeAI in HackerRankvs LeetCode PremiumFor European EngineersFor FAANG Interview PrepPost-Layoff ComebackIndia Pricing (INR)

Interview Types

Coding InterviewSystem Design InterviewDSA InterviewLeetCode InterviewAlgorithms InterviewData Structure InterviewSQL InterviewOnline Assessment

Interview Questions

See all →
GoogleAmazonMetaMicrosoftAppleNetflixStripeUberAirbnbBloombergSoftware EngineerFrontend EngineerBackend EngineerData EngineerML EngineerDevOps EngineerData ScientistEngineering ManagerBehavioralSystem Design

Mock Interview by Round Type

All formats →
Mock Interview HubMock Coding InterviewMock Behavioral InterviewMock System Design

AI for Industry Interviews

All industries →
Sales InterviewsPM InterviewsFinance InterviewsConsulting InterviewsDesign Interviews

Coding Interview Patterns

See all patterns →
Coding Interviews HubDynamic ProgrammingTwo Pointers + Sliding WindowGraph AlgorithmsTree AlgorithmsBinary Search

Interview Guides

See all guides →
How to Ace an InterviewHow to Crack InterviewsBest Interview AnswersScreening Interview QuestionsTelephone Interview TipsWorking Interview ExplainedCracking the PM InterviewFAANG 30-Day RoadmapTop 10 LeetCode PatternsSystem Design Prep GuideSTAR Behavioral MethodBehavioral Interview Qs

Alternatives — why engineers switch

See all 29 →
Interview CoderFinal Round AIParakeet AILockedIn AIUltraCode AIShadeCoderSensei AIVerve AICluelyChatGPTBeyz AIInterview SidekickYoodliAlgoMonsterCoderRankExponentFormationInterviewing.ioInterview CakeBig InterviewInterview KickstartPrampScalerAI ApplyCareerflowJobscanKickresumeTeal HQHireVue

AI Interview Tools

AI Interview AssistantAI Interview CoachAI for Job InterviewsAI Interview Preparation ToolReal-Time AI Interview AnswersInterview AI HelperReal-Time AI Interview AssistantAI Interview BotBest AI Interview Tools 2026AI Interview QuestionsPractice Interview QuestionsAI to Answer Interview QuestionsAI Phone Interview HelpAI Interviewing SoftwareAI Interview HubInterview CopilotAI Coding Interview AssistantMock Interview

© 2026 PhantomCodeAI. All rights reserved.