Clicks showcases its BlackBerry-inspired Communicator phone in a new hands-on video.

      Clicks Technology unveiled a video on Tuesday showcasing the pre-production hardware and internal software of its Communicator, a smartphone priced at $499 that emulates the BlackBerry style and is set to launch in the fourth quarter. First revealed at CES in January, this device offers a comprehensive look at a phone tailored for those who prefer typing over scrolling.

      The Communicator features a four-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a tactile, touch-sensitive keyboard beneath it, which also acts as a trackpad for navigating messages and webpages without needing to touch the display. The keys are 30% larger than those found on Clicks' existing snap-on keyboard cases for iPhones, which have been available since 2024.

      A standout element is the Signal Light, a button on the right side that illuminates in customizable colors and patterns to alert users to messages from selected contacts, groups, or applications. This design allows users to leave the phone face-down and pick it up only when they notice the desired color. Clicks markets this feature as a means of staying connected while reducing screen dependency.

      Running on Android, the phone comes with a custom Niagara Launcher that emphasizes messaging and productivity over social media updates. It includes hardware features that have largely disappeared from contemporary smartphones, such as a headphone jack, a traditional SIM card tray alongside eSIM support, expandable microSD storage up to 2TB, and a toggle for airplane mode. Users can also swap back covers for various colors, including a leather option.

      At CES, TechCrunch tested a prototype matching the size and weight of the final product, remarking on its comfortable feel and satisfying key feedback. The company is still fine-tuning the key pressure for those who type quickly. Upcoming videos will highlight specific features, including a dedicated “Prompt Key” and what Clicks refers to as the Message Hub.

      The Communicator is part of a rising trend of devices catering to users seeking a simpler smartphone experience. Commodore's Callback 8020, also priced at $499 and set to ship in Q4, takes a stricter approach by completely blocking social media and web browsers. In contrast, Clicks offers the full Android app ecosystem while designing the hardware in a way that makes the screen optional for many tasks.

      Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip, built on a four-nanometre process, and paired with a 4,450 mAh silicon-carbon battery, the phone is intended as a secondary device for users who primarily communicate via text, though it can also serve as their main phone. Early reservations with a $199 deposit secure a $399 early-bird price, reduced from the $499 retail price.

      The sustainability of a phone company centered around nostalgia for physical keyboards remains uncertain. The market that BlackBerry left behind is significantly small, and Clicks is asking consumers to invest in a startup that has yet to release a phone. However, the mounting criticism of always-on touchscreen devices and the innovative notification filtering of the Communicator hint that the timing might be more favorable than it appears.