TL;DR
Clicks Technology showed a prototype of its Communicator at CES, an Android 16 smartphone built around a physical keyboard and messaging-focused UI. The company plans a $499 launch device and a $79 snap-on keyboard for other phones, with shipments expected in the second half of 2026.
What happened
At CES, TechCrunch examined a handmade prototype of Clicks Technology’s Communicator, a new Android smartphone that revives the physical keyboard form factor. The prototype isn’t a working handset but matches the final device’s size and weight, giving a clear sense of its ergonomics: a contoured back for easier grip, a slightly elevated display and a curved chin that creates a recessed region to protect the keys when the phone is placed face down. The Communicator runs Android 16 and teams with Niagara Launcher to present a minimalist, messaging-forward homescreen while retaining access to all Android apps. Key hardware details revealed include a 4.03-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek 4-nanometer 5G IoT processor with 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of onboard storage plus microSD support up to 2 TB, a 4,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, and cameras that capture 24 MP front and 50 MP rear images with stabilization. Clicks set the retail price at $499 for the phone, with a separate $79 slide-out keyboard that fits other devices, and expects to ship in the second half of 2026.
Why it matters
- Reintroduces a physical keyboard option for Android users who prefer tactile typing and message-first workflows.
- Runs a modern Android build (Android 16) and supports standard Android apps, avoiding a closed ecosystem.
- Five years of promised security and Android updates could appeal to buyers prioritizing long-term support.
- A snap-on keyboard accessory expands the company’s addressable market beyond buyers of the dedicated handset.
Key facts
- Price for the Communicator phone is set at $499.
- Clicks is also selling a $79 slide-out physical keyboard that can attach to other devices.
- The prototype shown at CES matches the expected size and weight of the shipping device and weighed about 170 grams (6 oz).
- The phone runs Android 16 and partners with Niagara Launcher for a minimalist homescreen.
- Onboard storage is 256 GB, and storage is expandable via microSD up to 2 TB.
- The device uses a MediaTek 4-nanometer 5G IoT processor and includes 8 GB of RAM.
- Battery capacity is 4,000 mAh (silicon-carbon) and the display is a 4.03-inch AMOLED at 1,080 x 1,200 resolution.
- Front camera is a fixed-focus hole-punch 24 MP sensor; the rear camera captures 50 MP images and supports optical and electronic stabilization for video.
- Wired charging supports up to 18 W, wireless up to 15 W; the handset is Qi compatible and Android Strongbox-ready.
- Clicks plans to provide five years of security updates and Android upgrades through Android 20, with shipping expected in the second half of 2026.
What to watch next
- Final decision on key actuation force and how the production keys compare to the prototype — not confirmed in the source.
- Real-world battery life and performance under daily use once a working device is available — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact launch timing, regional availability and carrier support when the product ships in H2 2026 — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Physical keyboard: A hardware keyboard with physical keys, offering tactile feedback different from on-screen virtual keyboards.
- AMOLED: Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode, a display technology known for deep blacks and high contrast because pixels emit their own light.
- Optical image stabilization (OIS): A camera feature that reduces blur by physically moving lens elements or the sensor to compensate for hand shake.
- microSD: A removable flash memory card format used to expand a device’s onboard storage capacity.
- Android Strongbox: A security feature in Android that provides a protected environment for storing cryptographic keys and sensitive data.
Reader FAQ
Is the CES prototype a fully working phone?
The prototype shown was not a working phone; it shared the expected size and weight of the shipping device.
When will the Communicator ship and how much will it cost?
Clicks expects the phone to ship in the second half of 2026 and set the price at $499; the separate slide-out keyboard is $79.
Will the Communicator run standard Android apps?
Yes. The device runs Android 16 and can run Android apps, with Niagara Launcher preloaded for a minimalist homescreen.
How long will software updates be provided?
Clicks plans to offer five years of security updates and Android updates through Android 20.
What about carrier compatibility and global availability?
not confirmed in the source
The BlackBerry is back — sort of — thanks to the latest product from the mobile keyboard maker, Clicks Technology, which last week announced its debut phone, the $499 Communicator,…
Sources
- Hands on with a prototype of Clicks’ Communicator, a new BlackBerry-like smartphone
- BlackBerry returns via Clicks Communicator
- Missing your BlackBerry? The Clicks Communicator brings …
- Clicks Keyboard case: transform your phone with buttons
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