MANILA, Philippines โ In a smartphone market dominated by glass slabs and endless scrolling, American startup Clicks is making a bold contrarian move: bringing physical keyboards back into the spotlight.
Known for its external keyboards for iPhone and Android devices, Clicks built a niche following among users nostalgic for the tactile typing experience of BlackBerry and Sidekick phones. Since its first appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the company has steadily attracted users frustrated with crowded touchscreens and craving real buttons.
At CES 2026, Clicks raised the stakes. Instead of launching another accessory, the company introduced its first smartphone, the Clicks Communicatorโa device it describes as built for โcommunication, not consumption.โ
Clicks: A phone meant to talk, not scroll
Clicks positions the Communicator as a secondary phone, designed mainly for calls and messages, while users rely on their primary smartphones for photography, social media, and entertainment. But its feature set suggests something more ambitious.
The device comes with a built-in physical keyboard offering tactile feedback, paired with a compact 4-inch OLED display. It also includes features that have largely disappeared from modern phones, such as a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot supporting up to 2TB of storage.
Under the hood, the Communicator runs Android 16 with hardware-level encryption, signaling that despite its retro appeal, this is no throwback phone in terms of security and software.
Modern specs, retro soul
Clicks may emphasize simplicity, but the hardware is far from barebones. The Communicator packs a 50-megapixel main camera, a 24-megapixel front camera, NFC for contactless payments, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a 4,000mAh battery. Charging options include both USB-C wired charging and wireless charging.
The design deliberately evokes classic keyboard phones, but with modern twists. A fingerprint sensor is embedded in the space bar, while a configurable Signal LED can light up for messages from selected apps or specific contactsโan attempt to reduce notification overload without completely disconnecting users.
While Clicks insists the Communicator is meant to complement, not replace, a primary smartphone, the growing minimalist phone movement may tell a different story. For users seeking fewer distractions and less social media, the Communicator could function as a main device. Still, the idea of managing two phones, two SIM cards, and two numbers remains a tough sell for many.
The Communicator is available for pre-order at $399, with the price expected to increase to $499 starting February 27.
Power Keyboard channels the Sidekick era
Alongside the smartphone, Clicks also unveiled the Power Keyboard, an external physical keyboard clearly inspired by the iconic Sidekick design.
The Power Keyboard features a full QWERTY layout, navigation keys, and a number row. It attaches to devices via MagSafe or Qi2, includes a 2,150mAh internal battery, and allows phones to rotate between portrait and landscape modes.
Bluetooth handles the connection, making the keyboard compatible not only with smartphones but also tablets, smart TVs, and even virtual reality headsets. Orders opened on January 2, with a spring launch planned. The keyboard will retail for $110, or $80 for early buyers.
A gamble on nostalgiaโand fatigue
Clicksโ latest launches reflect a broader pushback against notification fatigue, social media overload, and touchscreen-only design. Whether the Communicator becomes a niche companion device or a true alternative smartphone remains to be seenโbut at CES 2026, Clicks has made one thing clear: for some users, the future of phones may still include real buttons.
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