> At a Glance
> – Clicks Technology debuts the $499 Communicator, an Android 16 phone with a built-in physical keyboard
> – An optional $79 slide-out keyboard works with any device
> – One sale every 6.5 seconds last week across both products
> – Why it matters: BlackBerry fans get modern hardware plus five years of security updates
Physical keyboards are staging a comeback. At CES, News Of Philadelphia went hands-on with Clicks Technology’s first phone, a compact Android handset that marries a tactile keyboard with 2026-era specs.
Design That Harks Back
The Communicator’s 4.03-inch AMOLED screen sits flush with the sculpted keys, letting thumbs glide from letters to touchscreen without a height jump. Clicks co-founder Jeff Gadway said the team 3-D-printed dozens of shapes before landing on the 170 g, contoured-back body that feels secure in one hand.
- 256 GB onboard storage, microSD support up to 2 TB
- 4000 mAh silicon-carbon battery with 18 W wired or 15 W wireless charging
- Qi compatible and Android Strongbox-ready for security-minded buyers
- Interchangeable back covers swap via a top notch and bottom finger pick
Typing Feel Still Tuned
Key resistance is the final battleground. Gadway admitted the founders argue over grams:
> “This is the stuff that Michael Fisher and myself and Kevin Michaluk fight over all the time,” he said. “We’re fighting over grams.”
Early feedback favors 120-130 g actuation force for crisp feedback, though lighter 110 g springs may ship for newcomers.
| Camera | Spec |
|---|---|
| Front | 24 MP, fixed-focus hole-punch |
| Rear | 50 MP with OIS + EIS |
Launch Window
Sales momentum is already brisk-Gadway reports a purchase every 6.5 seconds-yet the phone won’t reach buyers until the second half of 2026. When it lands, buyers get 5 years of security patches and Android version bumps through Android 20.
Key Takeaways
- Clicks blends nostalgia with modern Android 16 and 5G
- $499 price undercuts most flagships while targeting keyboard loyalists
- Optional $79 universal keyboard turns any phone into a typing machine
- Final key weight still being tweaked for speed vs. comfort
If you’ve missed thumb-boards, the Communicator wants to be your daily driver-once 2026 arrives.
