TL;DR
At CES 2026, a handful of unconventional phones appeared away from the main stage: Clicks showed a keyboard-centric Communicator prototype, Ikko’s square MindOne Pro promoted a tiny 4-inch Android with a rotating 50MP camera and AI-focused OS, and Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold unfolded into a 10-inch tablet-like device. These devices were niche demos rather than mass-market launches, offering alternative form factors and companion-device concepts.
What happened
On the sidelines of CES 2026, a small set of phones and phone-adjacent devices drew attention for breaking from the common black-rectangle mold. Clicks, known for keyboard cases and a MagSafe power-bank/slide-out keyboard accessory, revealed the Communicator — a keyboard-first handset that leans on BlackBerry-style design with swappable back panels. The displayed prototypes weren’t fully functional, though the physical keyboard keys worked. Ikko, a company that began with earbuds, showed the MindOne Pro: a square 4-inch Android device with a 50-megapixel rear camera that rotates upward for selfies and can double as a kickstand; it also ships with a secondary proprietary OS focused on AI apps and offers free global data for those features, with a Kickstarter option to order a unit running only Android. Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold, seen off the main floor, unfolded into a roughly 10-inch display and was used in DeX-mode multitasking during hands-on time. None of these devices were presented as mainstream launches at the show.
Why it matters
- These demos highlight continued experimentation with phone shapes and use cases beyond the dominant glass slab.
- Keyboard and compact form factors could appeal to users prioritizing typing, pocketability, or reduced distraction.
- Devices that fold into larger displays or run desktop-style modes (DeX) blur lines between phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Emerging vendors and niche designs may pressure incumbents to diversify hardware and software approaches.
Key facts
- Clicks showcased the Communicator, a phone with a full physical keyboard and interchangeable back panels.
- Communicator prototypes at CES were not fully functional, but the keyboard keys on the units worked.
- Clicks is also known for a MagSafe power bank combined with a slide-out keyboard accessory.
- Ikko’s MindOne Pro is a square-format Android phone with a 4-inch screen and a 50MP rear camera that rotates upward.
- The MindOne Pro’s rotating camera can serve as a kickstand for propping the phone up.
- Ikko bundled a secondary proprietary OS centered on AI apps with the MindOne Pro and offers free global data for those AI features.
- Ikko’s Kickstarter page notes a preorder route that can ship the phone with only Android, without the Ikko OS.
- Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold unfolds to about a 10-inch display and was demonstrated using DeX in standalone mode.
- These devices were shown off the main stage at CES and were described as niche or companion-focused rather than mainstream launches.
- Reporting and hands-on impressions came from Allison Johnson, a senior reviewer covering CES 2026.
What to watch next
- Whether Clicks moves the Communicator from prototype to a shipping product, and its availability and pricing — not confirmed in the source.
- Ikko’s software update policy and long-term support for the MindOne Pro, given the company’s limited phone track record — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact launch timing, regional availability and pricing for Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold beyond the hands-on demo — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- MagSafe: A magnetic accessory and charging standard originally popularized for phones and cases that enables snap-on attachments.
- DeX: A software mode that lets compatible phones provide a desktop-like interface when connected to a larger display or used in tablet-like configurations.
- Kickstarter: A crowdfunding platform where creators can offer preorders and early access to products in exchange for backer support.
- Proprietary OS: An operating system developed and controlled by a specific company, often distinct from mainstream platforms like Android or iOS.
- Foldable / TriFold phone: A category of devices whose screens fold to change size or aspect ratio, enabling both compact and tablet-like modes.
Reader FAQ
Are these phones available to buy now?
Not confirmed in the source.
Will the Clicks Communicator replace a user’s main smartphone?
Clicks positions the Communicator as a companion device for focused typing, though some people expressed interest in using it as a primary phone.
Does the MindOne Pro run Android?
Yes — the device can run Android, and Ikko’s Kickstarter notes a preorder option to receive the phone with only Android instead of the company’s proprietary OS.
How large is Samsung’s TriFold when unfolded?
The TriFold was demonstrated with a display around 10 inches when unfolded.
TECH REPORT CES I went looking for weird phones and CES 2026 did not disappoint The phone odds and ends we saw at CES, emphasis on odd. by Allison Johnson…
Sources
- I went looking for weird phones and CES 2026 did not disappoint
- I found the cutest (and strangest) Android phone at CES 2026
- Clicks is bringing its first smartphone and a new keyboard …
- CES 2026: 20 Tech Products That Have Caught Our …
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