TL;DR
Clicks introduced the Communicator, a BlackBerry-style smartphone with a tactile keyboard and productivity-focused software, plus a separate $79 magnetic slide-out keyboard. The company targets people who carry two phones and emphasizes messaging, email and document work over social media and games.
What happened
Clicks, known for its add-on tactile keyboards, unveiled two new products ahead of CES: the Communicator smartphone and a snap-on Power Keyboard. The Communicator is a compact Android 16 device built around a physical keyboard that supports touch gestures for scrolling and includes a customizable Signal Light and a Prompt Key for dictation or voice notes. Clicks partnered with Niagara Launcher to surface messaging and productivity apps rather than mainstream social or gaming experiences. Hardware highlights include a 4,000 mAh battery, 256 GB onboard storage with microSD expansion up to 2 TB, a 50 MP main camera with OIS, a 24 MP front camera, NFC, wireless charging, a 3.5 mm jack, physical SIM plus eSIM support, and interchangeable back covers. The phone is priced at $499, with an early-bird offer of $399 for customers who place a $199 deposit by Feb. 27. Separately, Clicks is selling a $79 Power Keyboard that attaches via MagSafe or Qi2 magnets, runs on a 2,150 mAh battery, and can be used with phones, tablets or TVs.
Why it matters
- A renewed focus on physical keyboards targets users who prioritize typing efficiency and productivity over mainstream smartphone use.
- Software choices that limit social apps could appeal to people seeking a work-focused secondary device with fewer distractions.
- Magnetic snap-on keyboards extend Clicks’ accessory ecosystem and offer a modular approach across phones, tablets and TVs.
- Inclusion of legacy features (3.5 mm jack, removable back covers, physical SIM tray) signals attention to practical, customizable hardware preferences.
Key facts
- Communicator list price: $499; early-bird price $399 with a $199 deposit required by Feb. 27.
- Phone OS: Android 16 with five years of security updates.
- Battery: 4,000 mAh; dimensions: 131.5 mm tall, weight 170 g.
- Storage: 256 GB onboard plus microSD expansion up to 2 TB.
- Cameras: 50 MP main camera with OIS; 24 MP front camera.
- Connectivity: global 5G, 4G LTE, 3G/2G support; NFC (Google Pay), Bluetooth 5.4, Wi‑Fi 6, USB‑C, wireless charging.
- Physical features: tactile, touch-sensitive keyboard; 3.5 mm headphone jack; physical SIM tray in addition to eSIM; interchangeable back covers.
- Distinctive controls: customizable Signal Light and Prompt Key for voice dictation or quick voice notes.
- Power Keyboard: early-bird price $79 (later $109), 2,150 mAh battery, attaches via MagSafe or Qi2, works in portrait or landscape and with tablets/TVs/AR/VR.
What to watch next
- Exact shipping date and delivery timeline for both the Communicator and Power Keyboard — the phone is said to ship 'later this year' but precise timing is not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Clicks will activate the teased AI integrations for the Prompt Key (note takers, voice agents) — the company has only hinted at possibilities, not launched them.
- Broader market reception and sales performance for a work-focused secondary phone remain to be seen; consumer demand beyond Clicks’ existing keyboard customers is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- eSIM: An embedded SIM that lets a device connect to a mobile network without a removable physical SIM card.
- microSD: A removable flash memory card used to expand a device’s storage capacity.
- MagSafe / Qi2: Magnetic attachment standards used to align and secure accessories to a phone while enabling wireless power or data connection.
- OIS (Optical Image Stabilization): A camera feature that reduces blur by compensating for small movements during photo or video capture.
- Android launcher: A user interface layer on Android that organizes apps, notifications and home screens; third-party launchers can customize which apps are emphasized.
Reader FAQ
When can I buy the Communicator?
Pre-orders are available with an early-bird price requiring a $199 deposit; the company says the phone will ship later this year.
Does the phone run Android and get updates?
Yes. The Communicator runs Android 16 and is promised five years of security updates.
Will the Prompt Key support AI agents at launch?
Clicks has teased possible AI integrations but says those features are not yet available; further details and timing are not confirmed in the source.
Is the snap-on Power Keyboard compatible with other devices?
The Power Keyboard attaches magnetically via MagSafe or Qi2 and can be used with phones, tablets, TVs and other smart devices according to Clicks.
Clicks Technology, a company known for making physical keyboards for smartphones, is launching two new devices ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week. In addition to…
Sources
- Clicks debuts its own take on the BlackBerry smartphone, plus a $79 snap-on mobile keyboard
- Clicks is Making Physical Keyboards for Android Phones
- Clicks Brings Physical Keyboards to 3 Android Devices …
- Clicks is finally releasing its keyboard add-on for some …
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