{"id":216893,"date":"2026-01-04T21:59:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T21:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/216893\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T21:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T21:59:12","slug":"the-clicks-communicator-a-smartphone-for-people-who-miss-physical-keyboards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/216893\/","title":{"rendered":"The Clicks Communicator a Smartphone for People Who Miss Physical Keyboards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rapid innovations are being made in the smartphone sector<\/a>, seemingly every month, and most of them are good. But there seems to be one feature that they took away from us without even asking: tactile typing.<\/p>\n

With the first iPhone introducing touchscreen keyboards in 2007, others followed suit and never looked back. Meanwhile, many of us look back fondly on our old BlackBerry or Nokia Slide models for their physical QWERTY keyboards. Luckily, there are some tech brands<\/a> that feel the same way.<\/p>\n

\"ClicksPhoto: Clicks Technology
\nFROM CASES TO COMMUNICATORS<\/p>\n

For those following Clicks Technology since its founding, you\u2019re aware that the company built its reputation on snap-on keyboard cases for iPhones. It was co-founded by tech YouTuber Michael Fisher (MrMobile) and product leader Jeff Gadway \u2014 two people who never quite let go of the BlackBerry dream. After shipping over 100,000 keyboard cases to enthusiasts in more than 100 countries, they\u2019ve taken the logical next step: building their own device.<\/p>\n

The Clicks Communicator isn\u2019t trying to resurrect the BlackBerry so much as reimagine what a purpose-built messaging device<\/a> looks like in 2026. It\u2019s designed to be your distraction-free<\/a> secondary phone that you\u2019ll reach for when you want to stay connected without falling into a doomscroll trap.<\/p>\n

\"ClicksPhoto: Clicks Technology
\nTHE TYPING EXPERIENCE<\/p>\n

At the heart of the Communicator sits that signature QWERTY keyboard, but larger and more refined than what you\u2019d find on their iPhone cases. The keys draw from classic BlackBerry \u201cErgoSurf\u201d design principles \u2014 carefully sculpted for thumb-typing with tactile feedback designed to be both satisfying and functional. The entire keyboard surface is touch-sensitive too, turning it into a trackpad for scrolling through messages and web pages without needing to lift your fingers to the screen.<\/p>\n

Above the keyboard sits a compact 4.03-inch AMOLED display running at 1080 x 1200 resolution. It\u2019s deliberately small, sized for messaging rather than binge-watching or gaming. The fingerprint sensor built into the spacebar adds a nice touch, letting you unlock straight into the message hub.<\/p>\n

SMART SIGNALS<\/p>\n

One of the more useful additions here is the Signal LED on the side of the device. You can customize it to light up in different colors for specific contacts or apps \u2014 purple for your spouse, green for WhatsApp groups, etc. You can press that same button to dictate messages when you\u2019re texting or record a quick voice note.<\/p>\n

The device runs Android 16 with a custom launcher developed by the Niagara team, organizing apps in a vertical list instead of the usual grid. It\u2019s messaging-forward by design, though you can still load up your full app suite if that\u2019s your preference.<\/p>\n

\"ClicksPhoto: Clicks Technology
\nBUILT TO LAST<\/p>\n

Supporting global 5G support, the Communicator packs a 4,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, a 50MP rear camera with optical image stabilization, a 24MP front camera, and 256GB of onboard storage expandable via microSD up to 2TB.<\/p>\n

Then there are the features that disappeared from mainstream phones over the past decade, such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, a physical SIM card tray alongside eSIM support, and swappable back covers, available in Smoke, Clover, and Onyx colorways over the brushed aluminum frame. There\u2019s also a physical airplane mode switch on the side, configurable to work with the Signal LED or keyboard shortcuts.<\/p>\n

Clicks commits to two years of Android updates and five years of security patches, powered by a MediaTek 4-nanometer SoC platform.<\/p>\n

SPEC SHEET<\/p>\n

Model: Clicks Communicator
Display: 4.03\u2033 AMOLED, 1080 x 1200
Processor: MediaTek 4nm 5G SoC
Cameras: 50MP rear (OIS), 24MP front
Battery: 4,000 mAh silicon-carbon
Storage: 256GB + microSD (up to 2TB)
Connectivity: 5G\/4G\/3G\/2G (unlocked), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC
Charging: Qi2 wireless + USB-C
SIM: Nano-SIM + eSIM
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack
OS: Android 16 (2 years updates, 5 years security)
Colors: Smoke, Clover, Onyx (with swappable back covers)<\/p>\n

PRICING & AVAILABILITY<\/p>\n

The Clicks Communicator is available for reservation now through February 27, with two options: a $199 deposit (applied to the final $499 retail price) or a full early-bird payment of $399 that locks in a $100 discount. Full price customers also receive two additional back covers. The device ships later this year, with early reservation holders getting priority fulfillment.<\/p>\n

Clicks Communicator Smartphone <\/p>\n

\n Clicks Technology just launched their own standalone phone called the Communicator \u2014 a compact Android device with a full QWERTY keyboard that\u2019s designed to be your second phone for staying connected without the distractions. At $399 for early birds (regular $499), it packs modern specs like 5G, a 50MP camera, and all those features mainstream phones dropped, like a headphone jack and expandable storage. <\/p>\n

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