TL;DR
The Clicks Communicator revives a keyboard-first approach and leans on tailored software to prioritize messaging and productivity. It pairs legacy hardware features — a notification LED, 3.5mm jack and microSD slot — with Android and a custom launcher, but faces marketing and adoption risks.
What happened
Reviewer Stephen Radochia says the Clicks Communicator rekindled genuine excitement about a smartphone launch, describing the device as a potential spiritual successor to BlackBerry rather than a mere nostalgia piece. The handset combines a physical keyboard with Android and heavy software customization through a partnership with Niagara Launcher, aiming to restore communication-first workflows such as quick notification triage and message handling. Beyond the keyboard, Clicks reintroduces hardware conveniences often dropped by mainstream Android makers, including a notification LED, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot. The company also offers a companion mode that lets the Communicator work alongside a primary smartphone, though it remains a challenge to explain the value proposition for users who do not want to carry more than one phone. The review frames Clicks as a small-player experiment in purpose-built devices but cautions that clear marketing and sufficient sales will be essential for its survival.
Why it matters
- Re-centers phones on communication and productivity rather than sheer feature bloat.
- Restores hardware options (LED alerts, wired audio, expandable storage) many Android phones no longer provide.
- Demonstrates how tailored software (Niagara Launcher) can shape the keyboard-phone experience on Android.
- Highlights the commercial challenge of marketing a secondary or niche-purpose phone in a market dominated by all-purpose smartphones.
Key facts
- Article author: Stephen Radochia; published on 2026-01-07.
- Clicks Communicator pairs a physical keyboard with Android and heavy software customization via Niagara Launcher.
- Reviewer compares the device favorably to other keyboard phones like the Unihertz Titan 2 and sees it as a spiritual BlackBerry successor.
- Hardware highlights called out: notification LED, 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot.
- Device supports a companion mode to operate alongside a primary smartphone, but is also fully functional as a standalone phone.
- Reviewer emphasizes software and notification triage as core strengths rather than keyboard nostalgia alone.
- Concerns noted include the challenge of convincing users to buy a second phone and the need for clear marketing to explain benefits.
- Clicks is described as a small company whose niche focus allows it to target specific use cases rather than mass-market appeal.
What to watch next
- How well the Niagara Launcher integration performs in real-world use and whether it truly improves communication workflows.
- Whether Clicks clearly positions and markets companion vs. standalone use to avoid the confusion that hurt prior companion-device efforts.
- not confirmed in the source: pricing and global availability details for the Clicks Communicator.
- not confirmed in the source: early sales numbers and consumer adoption figures that will determine the company's viability.
Quick glossary
- Physical keyboard: A tactile key layout built into a phone that provides physical keys for typing instead of relying solely on a touchscreen keyboard.
- Notification LED: A small light on a device that indicates waiting notifications, often using different colors to signal different apps or priorities.
- Niagara Launcher: A third-party Android launcher that offers a streamlined, customizable home screen and notification handling, used here for heavy software customization.
- Companion mode: A feature that lets a secondary device operate alongside a user’s main smartphone, sharing some functions or notifications while remaining a distinct device.
- microSD card slot: A removable storage slot that accepts microSD cards to expand a device’s local storage capacity for files, media or backups.
Reader FAQ
Is the Clicks Communicator a BlackBerry successor?
The reviewer describes it as a spiritual successor and says it captures communication-first strengths, but an official lineage or brand continuity is not claimed in the source.
Does the Clicks Communicator run Android?
Yes — the device runs Android with significant customization via Niagara Launcher, according to the review.
Does the phone include modern conveniences like a headphone jack and expandable storage?
Yes; the reviewer notes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot as included features.
When will the Clicks Communicator be available and how much will it cost?
not confirmed in the source
Can the Communicator be used alongside another smartphone?
Yes — the device offers a companion mode to be carried with a primary phone, though the review warns that this use case must be clearly explained to buyers.
The Clicks Communicator fixes what modern smartphones keep getting wrong Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | Clicks By Stephen Radochia Published 14 minutes ago When Mitsubishi made your first cellphone,…
Sources
- The Clicks Communicator fixes what modern smartphones keep getting wrong
- Two Phones, Less Distraction? That's the Pitch for This …
- Clicks Communicator Android Phone and Power Keyboard …
- Clicks Communicator: the ultimate communciation …
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