Have you wanted Blackberry to come back and stay for once? Clicks Technology, a startup brand known for its viral physical keyboard cases for iPhones and select Android devices, certainly thinks so and hence has taken a bold step forward by introducing an all-new smartphone. It is called the Clicks Communicator, and unlike the accessory, this one is a complete, standalone Android smartphone built around a tactile QWERTY keyboard! However, Clicks isn’t advertising this as a proper flagship like an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy.
Instead, the company has marketed it as a purposeful secondary device for focused communication rather than endless media consumption. The Communicator essentially targets users nostalgic for the BlackBerry era while addressing modern frustrations with touchscreen-only typing.
The company positions the Communicator as a digital minimalist’s dream – a distraction-free companion phone that encourages intentional use.
“Communicator is to a smartphone what a Kindle is to an iPad,” explained Jeff Gadway, Chief Marketing Officer at Clicks. “It’s designed for creators, texters, and anyone who values precision typing without the constant pull of notifications and feeds,” he added.
Click Communicator: How ‘Blackberry’ is it?
The Communicator features a compact vertical slab form factor with a 4.03-inch AMOLED display (1080 x 1200 resolution) positioned above a full physical QWERTY keyboard. Clicks claims the keys are 43% larger than those on its previous keyboard attachments, offering improved comfort and accuracy for thumb typing. The keyboard itself is touch-sensitive and doubles as a trackpad, enabling users to swipe through messages, emails, or web pages without touching the screen.
Additional tactile controls include a physical mute/airplane mode switch and a customisable side “Prompt Key” with an integrated Signal Light LED that can glow in user-defined colours for specific app notifications — ideal for quickly spotting important messages without unlocking the device. A dedicated button on the side provides instant access to voice memos, dictation, or planned future AI-driven features.
The phone embraces several retro elements rarely seen on modern flagships – a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio enthusiasts, a microSD card slot supporting expansion up to 2TB, and swappable back covers available in colours such as Clover, Onyx, and Smoke.
Click Communicator software and specifications
Running Android 16 out of the box, the Communicator ships with a customised version of the lightweight Niagara Launcher, which prioritises core messaging apps like WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram, Gmail, and others, directly on the home screen for quick access. Despite its communication-first philosophy, the device retains full access to the Google Play Store, allowing installation of any Android app.
Some of the key technical specifications include:
– 50MP rear camera with optical image stabilisation.
– 24MP front-facing camera
– 4,000 mAh battery
– 256GB internal storage (expandable via microSD)
– 5G connectivity, dual SIM (physical + eSIM), and NFC for contactless payments
The makers are yet to reveal the processor of choice and other nifty details that are crucial while choosing a modern-day Android phone.
Pricing and availability
Priced at $499, the Clicks Communicator is available for pre-order with an early-bird reservation price of $399 (requiring a deposit). First shipments are scheduled for later in 2026.
Although the Communicator is a niche product, the device is trying to approach the concept of a minimalist device without compromising on modern necessities. Will Blackberry loyalists from the yesteryears find this new take on a modern smartphone with physical keys tempting?
