Clicks Technology, a company best known for bringing physical keyboards back to modern smartphones, is expanding its ambitions with two new products set to debut ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Alongside a new slide-out keyboard accessory, the company is introducing its first smartphone, a keyboard-focused device aimed at users who prioritise productivity over entertainment.
The new smartphone, called the Clicks Communicator, is priced at $499 and is designed as a secondary device for people who carry separate phones for work and personal use.
With its physical keyboard and utilitarian design, the Communicator draws obvious comparisons to classic BlackBerry devices, targeting professionals who spend a significant amount of time writing emails, messages, and documents.
Clicks says the Communicator is intentionally limited in scope. While it features a display for reading and responding to messages, it avoids access to social media feeds and games. Instead, the company partnered with Niagara Launcher to focus the experience on messaging and productivity apps such as Gmail, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Slack.
One of the device’s distinctive features is a customizable “Signal Light,” a physical light-up button on the side of the phone. Users can assign different colours and lighting patterns to specific contacts, groups, or apps, allowing notifications to be recognised at a glance.
The button, referred to as the Prompt Key, can also be pressed to dictate messages or record quick voice notes. Clicks has hinted at future AI-based features tied to this control, though no such integrations are available at launch.
The Communicator’s keyboard is tactile and ergonomic, designed for fast, accurate typing. It is also touch-sensitive, allowing users to scroll through messages and web pages without needing to touch the screen.
The device leans further into its retro-inspired approach with features such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, a physical SIM tray alongside eSIM support, expandable microSD storage up to 2TB, and a dedicated hardware switch for aeroplane mode. The removable back cover allows users to swap colours, with Smoke, Clover, and Onyx available at launch.
Early-bird customers can purchase the Communicator for $399 by placing a $199 deposit before February 27. Those who pay the full early-bird price up front will receive two additional back covers. The phone is expected to ship later this year.
In addition to the smartphone, Clicks is also launching a new accessory called the Clicks Power Keyboard. Priced at $79 for early adopters, the slide-out keyboard is designed to attach to smartphones via MagSafe or Qi2 magnetic connections, and can also be used with tablets, smart TVs, and other devices. The keyboard features a built-in 2,150mAh battery and accommodates multiple sliding positions to suit various device sizes and orientations.
When paired with larger devices such as tablets or AR and VR headsets, the keyboard functions independently over a wireless connection. Like other Clicks products, its tactile keys and behaviour can be customised through the Clicks mobile app on iOS and Android. After the early-bird period, the Power Keyboard will retail for $109, with shipping expected in the spring.
Clicks CEO Adrian Li said the company has already shipped more than 100,000 keyboards to customers in over 100 countries, a response he believes validates demand for focused, purpose-built devices.
“There’s growing demand for products that help people communicate with confidence and take action,” Li said. “The Communicator is a natural evolution of that idea.”
With its latest announcements, Clicks is betting that a segment of users still values physical keys and distraction-free design in a market dominated by touchscreens and app-driven experiences.
