TL;DR
A wave of physical‑keyboard phones is emerging in 2026. Clicks has announced the Clicks Communicator with a custom launcher, and Unihertz has teased a smaller follow‑up to the Titan 2 called the Titan 2 Elite.
What happened
Early 2026 has seen renewed interest in phones built around physical keyboards. Clicks kicked off the year with the Clicks Communicator, positioned as a spiritual successor to BlackBerry and featuring a physical keyboard plus a custom, Niagara‑inspired launcher intended to better manage notifications. Shortly after, Unihertz released a teaser for the Titan 2 Elite, a successor to last year’s Titan 2. Press imagery suggests the Elite will be more compact than the bulky Titan 2 and closer in size to a BlackBerry Classic, potentially giving buyers another small‑form keyboard option later this year. Unihertz’s previous Titan 2 integrated the keyboard into the overall experience with programmable shortcuts and a capacitive touchpad on the keyboard, and the company has begun quoting software support intervals publicly. Concrete specs, pricing and exact support commitments for the Titan 2 Elite remain sparse in the teaser material.
Why it matters
- Purpose‑built devices are returning, offering alternatives to the dominant touchscreen slab design.
- Compact keyboard phones could attract buyers seeking focused, productivity‑oriented hardware.
- Software and update commitments are becoming part of the purchase discussion for niche devices.
- Multiple manufacturers entering the segment increases choice and may revive interest in physical keyboards.
Key facts
- Clicks announced the Clicks Communicator earlier in 2026 as a spiritual successor to BlackBerry.
- The Clicks Communicator pairs a physical keyboard with a custom Niagara‑inspired launcher to organize notifications.
- Unihertz has teased the Titan 2 Elite as a follow‑up to the Unihertz Titan 2.
- Press imagery suggests the Titan 2 Elite is more compact than the Titan 2 and similar in size to a BlackBerry Classic.
- The original Titan 2 included keyboard features such as long/short press shortcuts and a capacitive touchpad integrated into the keyboard.
- Unihertz has begun quoting software support intervals publicly for its devices.
- Details on the Titan 2 Elite’s specifications, pricing and official support terms are not provided in the teaser.
What to watch next
- Official Titan 2 Elite specifications and how the device earns its “Elite” name — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact software support intervals and update commitments for the Titan 2 Elite — not confirmed in the source.
- Release timing, pricing and hands‑on reviews that confirm the device’s size and keyboard implementation — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Physical keyboard phone: A mobile phone that includes a hardware keyboard (typically QWERTY) as part of the device rather than relying solely on a touchscreen keyboard.
- Launcher: A user interface layer on Android devices that controls the home screen, app list and often notification and widget behavior.
- Capacitive touchpad: A touch‑sensitive surface that detects finger contact and movement, commonly used for cursor control or gesture input.
- BlackBerry Classic: A modern reference point for compact phones with a physical keyboard; used here as a size and design comparison rather than a direct product claim.
Reader FAQ
Has Unihertz revealed full specs for the Titan 2 Elite?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does the Clicks Communicator include a physical keyboard and special launcher?
Yes. The Clicks Communicator is described as having a physical keyboard and a custom Niagara‑inspired launcher to manage notifications.
Will Unihertz offer long‑term software support for the Titan 2 Elite?
Unihertz has started quoting support intervals for its devices, but the exact support offer for the Titan 2 Elite is not confirmed in the source.
When will the Titan 2 Elite be available?
Not confirmed in the source.
Unihertz helps usher in the return of the keyboard phone By Stephen Radochia Published 19 minutes ago When Mitsubishi made your first cellphone, you know you’ve been around a while….
Sources
- Unihertz helps usher in the return of the keyboard phone
- Titan 2 – The Latest 5G QWERTY Physical Keyboard …
- Unique Smartphones as Unique as You Are
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