Hands-On: Clicks Shows Off Its BlackBerry-Inspired Communicator Phone

The BlackBerry is making a partial comeback. Clicks Technology, best known for its physical keyboards, recently introduced its first smartphone, the $499 Communicator, which features a built-in physical keyboard. The company also sells a separate $79 slide-out keyboard compatible with any smartphone.

The Communicator combines a BlackBerry-style keyboard with a touchscreen focused on messaging and productivity. It runs Android 16, allowing users to install standard Android apps. Clicks has partnered with Niagara Launcher to create a minimalist home screen, with additional apps accessible through a vertical scrolling list.

Interest in the new hardware has exceeded expectations, Gadway said. While he declined to share specific sales figures, he noted that over the past week, the company averaged a sale roughly every 6.5 seconds across both the phone and the external keyboard.

The prototype shown at CES was not fully functional, but it matched the final device’s size and weight, offering a realistic sense of how the Communicator will feel in everyday use. The phone includes 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 2TB, and a 4,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. The device weighs about 170 grams (6 ounces) and houses a nano-SIM card beneath the removable back panel.

Clicks plans to offer interchangeable back covers, allowing users to customize the phone’s appearance. The production version will include a small notch at the top of the cover and a finger grip at the bottom to facilitate removal.

During hands-on testing, the device felt balanced and comfortable to hold. Gadway said the final design emerged after testing dozens of 3D-printed prototypes. The chosen version features a contoured back that improves grip and makes the phone easier to pick up.

The display sits slightly raised above the body, while the curved lower edge creates a recess that protects the physical keys when the phone is placed face down. On the side of the device is a customizable illuminated button called the Signal Light, which can glow in different colours or patterns to indicate messages from specific contacts, groups, or apps.

The physical keyboard offers a satisfying tactile feel, though the final version may be slightly more “clicky” than the prototype. The company is still evaluating the ideal key pressure, with options ranging from 110 to 130 grams, and early feedback indicates users prefer firmer keys for faster typing. Gadway joked that debates over key issues are a frequent topic among the founders.

The keyboard and touchscreen sit at the same vertical height, allowing users to move seamlessly between typing and touch input.

The Communicator features a 24-megapixel fixed-focus front camera with a hole-punch design, while the rear camera supports 50-megapixel photos and includes both optical and electronic image stabilisation for video. Inside, the phone is powered by a 4-nanometer MediaTek 5G IoT processor paired with 8GB of RAM.

The device features a 4.03-inch AMOLED display with a 1,080 x 1,200 resolution. Wired charging supports up to 18 watts, with 15-watt wireless charging, and the phone is Qi-compatible and Android Strongbox-ready, appealing to users focused on security.

Additional features include GPS, NFC, and a commitment to five years of security updates, as well as Android version upgrades through Android 20.

Clicks expects the Communicator to begin shipping in the second half of 2026.