New BlackBerry-style Smartphone: Clicks Communicator Brings Back QWERTY Keyboard With Modern Android Power

The BlackBerry-style smartphone returns with a physical keyboard, AMOLED display, and premium design, aimed at users who miss typing with precision.

The era of physical keyboards may have faded with the rise of full-touch smartphones, but Clicks is betting there is still a strong audience that values tactile typing. The newly launched Clicks Communicator is a modern Android smartphone that brings back the iconic QWERTY keyboard experience, reimagined with contemporary hardware and software.

Clicks is best known for designing keyboard cases for iPhones, but the Communicator marks the company’s first standalone smartphone. The device has been designed in partnership with Joseph Hofer, the designer behind legendary BlackBerry models such as the Bold 9000, Bold 9900, Q10, and Passport. That legacy is clearly reflected in both form and function.

At the front, the Clicks Communicator features a compact 4.03-inch AMOLED display with curved corners and a 120Hz refresh rate. A 24-megapixel hole-punch front camera is neatly integrated into the screen, giving the phone a clean, modern look while maintaining a distinct identity. The display sits slightly raised from the frame, a design detail that adds to its premium feel.

The standout feature, however, is the physical QWERTY keyboard positioned below the display. Clicks has paid close attention to ergonomics, giving the keyboard a generous “chin” length so thumbs rest at a natural angle while typing. The keys are larger than those on older BlackBerry phones and previous Clicks keyboard cases, offering more surface area and better accuracy. Sculpted key shapes help users build muscle memory, allowing fast typing without constantly looking at the keyboard.

Under the hood, the Clicks Communicator runs on the latest Android 16 and is powered by a MediaTek 5G processor. It comes equipped with a 50-megapixel rear camera for photography and a 4000mAh battery designed to comfortably last a full day. The phone also includes thoughtful additions such as a programmable side button, a dedicated airplane-mode kill switch for instantly silencing notifications, and the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack features that many modern smartphones have dropped.

Voice input is deeply integrated as well. Users can press and hold in a message field to dictate text, making it easy to capture thoughts quickly or send messages without typing—useful for note-taking or voice-driven tasks.

While the Communicator may look like a Blackberry or Palm device from days gone by, it carries modern features like a fingerprint sensor in the spacebar. It also has what Clicks calls a Signal LED, which is a customizable alert light that lets users know when specific people or apps are causing notifications

The keyboard is compatible with both iOS and Android and since it pairs via Bluetooth, it can also be used with tablets, smart TVs and virtual reality headsets. 

In terms of pricing, the Clicks Communicator is positioned in the premium segment. Pre-orders for the Power Keyboard opened on January 2 and an actual launch is expected in the spring. The official price is $499 (around ₹45,000). Early buyers can reserve the device for $199 and secure a discounted price of $399 (around ₹36,000), with additional benefits depending on the reservation option. The phone will be available in multiple color variants, including Smoke, Clover, and Onyx, with more finishes planned in the future.

The Clicks Communicator is not trying to compete head-on with mainstream slab phones on size or mass appeal. Instead, it targets professionals, writers, and long-time BlackBerry users who value focused communication, tactile feedback, and thoughtful design. 

Clicks new phone follows the trend of minimalist or “dumb” phones as more users pull away from an overexposure to technology, social media and notifications.

For those who miss the feel of real keys and want it paired with modern Android capabilities, the Communicator offers a rare and compelling alternative.

Disclaimer: Prices and specifications are subject to change based on region and availability.