In a bold move that has stirred excitement among tech enthusiasts and productivity-focused users, Clicks, a relatively new player in the mobile hardware space, has launched a groundbreaking communicator phone that channels the spirit of the legendary BlackBerry. The device couples modern smartphone capabilities with physical QWERTY keyboard functionality, aiming to blend the best of both worlds — today’s cutting-edge mobile technology and the tactile familiarity of the past.
TLDR
Clicks has launched a new smartphone that mimics the classic BlackBerry experience by integrating a full physical QWERTY keyboard into a modern device. This communicator phone combines nostalgia with modern features, offering productivity enthusiasts a familiar yet updated experience. Aimed at professionals and keyboard lovers, it supports iOS devices via a unique keyboard case design. The Clicks phone represents a refreshing shift from touchscreen-only smartphones in today’s market.
What is Clicks, and Why Does It Matter?
Clicks is an ambitious startup with a vision to disrupt the monotonous sameness seen in modern-day smartphone releases. The company was founded by a group of tech veterans who saw a gap in the mobile device market. Most phones today resemble one another: all-screen designs with little room for tactile feedback. Clicks decided to challenge this standard by creating a communicator phone modeled after the iconic BlackBerry — known for its typing efficiency and business-use dominance during the early 2000s.
While many companies have abandoned physical keyboards, Clicks sees visionary potential in bringing this feature back with a 21st-century twist.
Key Features of the Clicks Communicator Phone
This new communicator isn’t just a throwback — it’s packed with modern features that make it highly competitive and functional. Here’s a breakdown of what the Clicks phone offers:
- Full QWERTY Physical Keyboard: Inspired by BlackBerry, with responsive tactile keys designed for optimal typing speed and accuracy.
- iPhone Compatibility: Clicks designed a keyboard case compatible with recent iOS models (starting with the iPhone 14 series), offering seamless integration and zero lag.
- Battery-Powered Case: The keyboard has its own power supply, ensuring it doesn’t drain the phone’s battery, and it charges via USB-C.
- Backlit Keys: Typing in dark environments is no longer a challenge with adjustable key backlighting.
- Shortcut Support: Similar to old BlackBerry OS, users can assign shortcuts to specific keys for launching apps, writing messages, or accessing features quickly.
Perhaps the biggest convenience comes from Clicks’ one-piece, slide-on design. Unlike Bluetooth keyboards or clunky add-ons, this device smoothly attaches to an iPhone and becomes a seamless extension of it.
Who Is This Device For?
The resurgence of a physical keyboard is not just nostalgia bait — it serves a real productivity function. Clicks is mainly targeting:
- Writers and professionals who are tired of touchscreen typos and autocorrect disasters.
- Business executives who long for the days of blazing through emails with precision and speed.
- Tech minimalists seeking an alternative experience to the sameness of today’s touchscreen slabs.
- Fans of gadget innovation, retro design, and purposeful hardware.
In an era where swipe typing and predictive text dominate, Clicks offers a compelling rebuttal: deliberate communication should feel intentional, not accidental.
Why Are Physical Keyboards Making a Comeback?
Clicks’ new communicator has sparked renewed interest in whether hardware keyboards might be making a legitimate comeback. While mainstream users have grown accustomed to touchscreen-only designs, physical keyboards offer several advantages:
- Haptic Feedback: Many people miss the tactile feeling of pressing real keys, which can translate to faster and more accurate typing.
- Muscle Memory: For heavy typists, physical keyboards reduce finger fatigue and make multitasking more efficient.
- Less On-Screen Distraction: No need for on-screen keys means more screen real estate for apps, messages, and documents.
According to Clicks’ internal research, productivity can increase by up to 30% for professionals who switch from touchscreen-only devices to a physical keyboard-equipped mobile setup. That’s a figure hard to ignore, especially for business-centric consumers.
Build Quality and Design
Clicks didn’t just slap a keyboard onto a case and call it a day. The device is impressively engineered. It features:
- Aircraft-grade aluminum chassis: For added durability and premium feel.
- Ergonomic alignment: Designed to complement the natural grip of your hand with a downward curve for better hand posture.
- Matte-finish keys: With just enough texture to prevent slipping without being rough.
The keyboard adds about an inch to the bottom of the phone, giving it a taller profile reminiscent of early mobile communicators. Surprisingly, the overall weight is quite reasonable, and users won’t feel like they’re carrying a brick.
Software Integration and User Experience
Clicks’ device isn’t just hardware — it comes with software smarts. When plugged into an iPhone, the system recognizes the accessory and shifts the on-screen UI upward to make room for the keyboard. There’s also a Clicks Companion app that provides firmware updates, lets users customize keys, and offers tutorials for first-time users.
The smart integration leads to minimal input lag, quick key response, and compatibility with most popular apps, including:
- Email clients like Outlook and Gmail
- Note-taking apps such as Evernote and Notion
- Messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage
Market Reception and Public Response
Initial reactions have been surprisingly positive. Social media is buzzing with comparisons between Clicks and vintage BlackBerry phones. Tech reviewers have praised the build quality and typing experience, while productivity influencers are rushing to test whether these physical keyboards can genuinely improve work habits.
There’s also speculation that if Clicks gains traction, it could spark a ripple effect. Will other phone manufacturers revisit keyboard design? Could this usher in a new era of hybrid mobile devices?
Pricing and Availability
The Clicks keyboard case is currently available for preorder at around $139 USD, depending on the iPhone size. It comes in several colors, including minimalist black, metallic silver, and a nostalgic retro gray modeled after early-2000s tech. Shipping is expected to begin in Q3 of the year, and Clicks has hinted at potential Android support in the future.
Final Thoughts
In a world dominated by glass and swipe gestures, Clicks’ communicator phone is a breath of retro-futuristic air. It doesn’t just remember the past — it reimagines it for a new generation. With a clear focus on productivity, uniqueness, and standout design, Clicks has managed to turn a niche desire into a potential movement in mobile innovation.
Whether you’re a nostalgic user longing for your BlackBerry days or a professional looking for a more efficient mobile typing experience, the Clicks communicator phone might just hit the right keys.
