Keyboard phones aren't done yet, and this one just got a release window
Clicks sent out an April update to people who reserved its upcoming Communicator phone. It outlines the roadmap for the rest of 2026, from working test units to production and shipments to buyers with preorders. The second half of the year is when things are planned to kick into high gear. Clicks envisions certification and testing to happen in Q3 2026. That's also when buyers can select their device colors. The company expects shipments to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Clicks Communicator will be the second physical keyboard smartphone I'll get my hands on this year, after the Unihertz Titan 2 Elite I'm currently testing. It may not be a full keyboard phone revival, but BlackBerry fans of old finally have some interesting hardware to look forward to.
Clicks is looking to do something different
A refined user experience
There are only a handful of devices I'm excited about this year, and the Clicks Communicator is one of them. Yes, I was a BlackBerry user over a decade ago, but using theUnihertz Titan 2 Elitehelped me understand that I love keyboard phones for more than just nostalgia.
The typing experience is excellent, and while I'm not faster on a physical keyboard, I don't mind. I'm definitely more accurate, and there is nothing wrong with having an extra second or two to craft a message properly. I also love how they focus me. The Clicks Communicator will have a roughly 4-inch OLED display, like the Titan 2 Elite. It's not ideal for long TikTok sessions or watching YouTube videos all day.
The Clicks Communicator will feature a custom launcher, designed to prioritize messaging and notifications. I'm just pleased to have purpose-built devices again. TheClicks Communicatorwon't be for everyone, and that's fine. If you're tired of slab smartphones that entice you to doom scroll way too often, the Communicator is designed to keep you on task.
Physical keyboard phones are about more than just typing. They are fantastic for launching apps with a long and short press. Clicks is also bringing back some fan-favorite features like a notification LED and microSD card slot. If you've been looking for something different, the Communicator might be worth a look later this year.
