After holding the Clicks Communicator for less than a minute, I realized why it felt different. Not ostentatious or avant-garde, just grounded. Instead of demanding your attention, this gadget waits for you to determine when it’s necessary. The keyboard is more than simply a display. It encourages you to type, respond thoughtfully, and rediscover something other than doomscrolling or tapping icons with your thumbs.
This new phone, which was developed by the same company that made the Clicks keyboard attachment for iPhones, feels like a confident advancement. They updated the logic of a BlackBerry rather than just recreating its nostalgic appeal. And that’s a small difference that’s especially inventive. Clicks looked back at what made mobile devices effective in the first place, while other businesses chased the future with foldables and AI avatars.
Despite running Android 16, the Communicator is not at all stock. Telegram, Slack, Gmail, and WhatsApp are in a state of readiness like tools on a craftsman’s bench thanks to the team’s simple launcher design. There’s no needless clutter to sort through, nor is there an autoplay video stream. It is there to assist you in responding, organizing, and moving forward, not to amuse you.
The phone feels solid on the inside. The keyboard beneath it is quite comparable to the original BlackBerry Bold—it is dependable, tactile, and well-spaced—and the 4.03-inch OLED display is clear and snappy. Each key press provides a sense of purpose that has been conspicuously lacking from contemporary gadgets. Typing on it gives you a rhythmic gratification that’s similar to playing a tune you didn’t know you were missing.
| Device Name | Clicks Communicator |
|---|---|
| Inspired by | Classic BlackBerry smartphones |
| OS | Android 16 with custom launcher |
| Key Features | Physical QWERTY keyboard, 5G, 4,000mAh battery, 256GB storage (expandable to 2TB), Signal LED |
| Cameras | 50MP rear, 24MP front |
| Notable Tools | Prompt Key for voice dictation, dedicated messaging layout |
| Price | $499 retail / $399 pre-order with $199 deposit |
| Launch Event | CES 2026, Las Vegas |
| Reference | Clicks Official Site |
It has a 4,000mAh battery that provides dependable performance all day, a 50MP rear camera that is more than capable of taking pictures on a daily basis, and a 24MP front camera that is perfect for making video chats. A little button on the side called the Prompt Key initiates voice dictation instantly. It is incredibly effective for brief ideas or lengthy communications. Without losing focus, you speak it, and it comes to pass.
After trying that feature, I found myself paused, silently impressed by how well it operated. It felt, for something so tiny, like a return to phones as tools rather than toys.
256GB of storage is enough, and it can be increased by up to 2TB via microSD for users who still desire offline access to large files. These days, that’s an uncommon inclusion that demonstrates Clicks’ conscious leaning toward pragmatism. Additionally, it supports a traditional SIM as well as eSIM, which makes it extremely flexible for those who are traveling abroad or managing many numbers.
Instead of establishing itself as a flagship killer, the Communicator feels very modest. Its goal is to do one thing really well—communication—rather than to accomplish everything. Even the LED indicator light, which is evocative of vintage BlackBerry warnings, reflects this design concept. It gently indicates that anything needs your attention by blinking softly on the side, not with a flurry of alerts.
The gadget is available in three colors: Smoke, Clover, and Onyx. When it debuted at CES 2026, it was greeted more with calm curiosity than with dramatic publicity. However, that could be the key to its allure. It’s not aiming to take on your flagship Android or iPhone. It provides a complimentary offering. A phone that complements your daily routine rather than overpowers it.
If a $199 deposit is made by February 27th, you can reserve it today for $399. If not, the phone will retail for $499, which is a rather low price for one that feels so well-designed. Given the growing price of high-end gadgets, this pricing approach is sensible and approachable.
It’s interesting that Clicks isn’t promoting it as a substitute for your primary device. It’s supposed to be a friend. Users who wish to concentrate in an area free from distractions appear to benefit most from that framing. Writers, consultants, business travelers, and people who still use email and direct messaging may find that this phone works well in addition to their primary device—until, of course, it takes over.
Since the Communicator only reinforces the patterns you already had before smartphones turned into addictive gateways, it is particularly relevant at this time. It is not meant to lead you down five rabbit holes with a single app, but to assist you in triaging, responding, and moving on. Utility is emphasized in its launcher, and its hardware prioritizes care above following trends.
I witnessed someone strolling and typing with both thumbs during the demonstration, hardly looking down. In contrast to the typical poke-and-correct rhythm we’ve been accustomed to, the speed and assurance with which they typed felt almost out of place. However, it also seemed very evident that this gadget wasn’t designed for everyone. For people who still consider typing to be their major means of communication and thought, it was designed.
How many individuals decide to act on the pull of familiarity will determine whether it becomes a niche success or something more. In today’s crowded gadget market, it might make a significant impact if it speaks to people who used to swear by their BlackBerry or who just need to break through the clutter.
Once more, there is space for targeted tools—items that aren’t designed to be everything at once. The Clicks Communicator is a subtly convincing reminder that you can still win hearts and inboxes by doing fewer things very well.
