This New Android Smartphone Is Made for Everyone Who Misses Blackberry.
Clicks, a manufacturer of smartphone keyboard cases , has announced a new device that will feel quite familiar to anyone who’s used a Blackberry. Called the Clicks Communicator , it’s a compact, pocket-sized phone, perfect for those who miss the physical buttons on their phone. It features a full-size, classic-style QWERTY keyboard and runs Android 16. While it can be loaded with apps and used standalone, Clicks claims many customers will prefer to use it as a minimalist companion to their primary smartphone. Therefore, this device is designed as a secondary smartphone, where you install only the apps you need and use it to quickly respond to messages, emails, and other important notifications.
Clicks Communicator is a modern Blackberry.
One of the Clicks Communicator’s key features is the Signal LED notification indicator, located around the side button. You can customize it to light up in different colors depending on who’s messaging you or which apps are sending notifications, so you can quickly see what needs your attention without scrolling through a long series of notification windows. For example, you could set a green LED for notifications from important people and use different colors for different apps. I’m not entirely sure how this will work in practice, as I’m afraid I’ll forget which color is which over time. Fortunately, Clicks says you can also disable the Signal LED if you don’t need it (and yes, traditional notification windows will remain if you need them).
As for the main user interface, in line with its design philosophy, the company decided not to display an app grid on the home screen. In collaboration with Niagara Launcher, Click created a messaging center that displays all pending notifications on the home screen, grouped by app. According to the company, you can use the keyboard to sort these messages or reply to individual chats.
Much attention is paid to the keyboard, which is unsurprising for a company that went viral for releasing a physical keyboard case for touchscreen phones. Clicks claims the keys on the Communicator are larger and better than those on their keyboard case. The keyboard features a red Clicks key that can be used to launch custom shortcuts. The space bar has a fingerprint scanner built into it, which can be handy for quickly unlocking the phone. The keyboard is touch-sensitive, meaning you can swipe your fingers across it to scroll through messages. And before you ask, yes, it also has a 4.03-inch OLED touchscreen for those who prefer scrolling on a smoother surface.
You’ll also be pleased to know that the Clicks Communicator has a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports microSD cards for storage expansion. It comes with 256GB of storage, and you can add a microSD card up to 2TB.
The device runs Android 16, supports Qi2 wireless charging, has a USB-C port, and features a 50-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and a 24-megapixel front camera. It’s powered by a 4nm MediaTek chip with 5G support. It’s a dual-SIM phone with one physical SIM slot and an eSIM, so it can be used as a standalone device rather than as a “supplemental product,” as it’s marketed . However, taking calls or using certain apps on such a compact device can be challenging.
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If you’re interested in purchasing the Clicks Communicator, you can reserve it now for $399 plus $30 for shipping and duties. The starting price is expected to be $499, meaning pre-orders receive a $100 discount. The device also features interchangeable back covers, and the company is offering two free back covers with pre-orders.
MagSafe External Battery Pack with Slide-Out Keyboard
For those who simply want to add physical keys to their existing phone, Clicks has also released a magnetic wireless power bank with a built-in slide-out physical keyboard. It’s one of the more unusual products I’ve seen announced before CES this year, but it could be a great compromise for those who don’t need the Communicator.
I wasn’t a big fan of wired portable chargers before, but the advent of magnetic wireless charging has changed my mind, and now I can’t wait to attach one to my iPhone. The addition of a retractable Bluetooth keyboard makes it even more appealing, though overall it’s quite heavy at 180g. And thanks to the wireless Bluetooth connection, you can use the keyboard with your phone, tablet, TV, or game console. The charger doesn’t need to be physically attached to the device for the keyboard to work, and the device is generally compatible with both Apple and Android devices.
However, there is a drawback. The Clicks Power Keyboard has a 2150 mAh battery and only supports 5W Qi wireless charging. This is very slow by today’s standards, but the good news is that with this charging speed, your smartphone is less likely to overheat. Pre-orders are $80, and shipments are expected to begin this spring.
By comparison, Anker’s wireless power bank can be purchased for around $55. It weighs 120g, offers faster 15W charging, and has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh). Most power banks on the market don’t come with a physical keyboard, so Clicks is counting on this to boost sales of its Power Keyboard.