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

      TL;DR: Clicks Technology has released a video showcasing the pre-production hardware for its $499 Communicator, a phone inspired by BlackBerry, which is set to ship in Q4.

      On Tuesday, Clicks Technology unveiled a video that displays the pre-production hardware and internal software for the Communicator, a $499 smartphone featuring a physical keyboard, resembling a new BlackBerry model after many years. The phone was initially presented at CES in January and is slated for release in the fourth quarter. This new footage offers the most comprehensive look yet at a device aimed at users who prefer typing over scrolling.

      The Communicator features a four-inch AMOLED touchscreen paired with a tactile, touch-sensitive keyboard underneath. This keyboard serves a dual purpose as a trackpad, allowing users to scroll through messages and web pages without touching the screen. The keys are 30% larger than those found on Clicks’ existing snap-on keyboard cases for iPhones that have been available since 2024.

      A standout attribute of the device is the Signal Light, a button located on the right side that illuminates in customizable colors and patterns to indicate messages from specific contacts, groups, or apps. This feature allows users to leave the phone face-down and pick it up only when the appropriate color catches their attention. Clicks promotes this as a method to remain reachable without constant screen engagement.

      Running on Android, the device uses a custom Niagara Launcher that emphasizes messaging and productivity over social media feeds. It also includes hardware features that modern smartphones typically lack, such as a headphone jack, a physical SIM card tray in addition to eSIM support, expandable microSD storage (up to 2TB), and a toggle for airplane mode. The back covers can be interchanged for different colors, with an option for leather.

      During CES, TechCrunch tested a prototype that matched the shipping model's size and weight, mentioning it felt comfortable to hold with satisfying key feedback, although the company was still refining key pressure for faster typists. Future videos are expected to highlight specific features, including a dedicated “Prompt Key” and what Clicks refers to as the Message Hub.

      The Communicator is part of an emerging category of devices aimed at consumers who desire less from their phones rather than more. Commodore’s Callback 8020, also priced at $499 and set to ship in Q4, takes a stricter stance by completely disabling social media and web browsers. In contrast, Clicks takes a gentler approach by allowing full access to the Android app ecosystem while designing the hardware to make the screen optional for many tasks.

      The phone is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip built on a four-nanometer process, along with a 4,450 mAh silicon-carbon battery. It is designed to be used as a secondary device for those who primarily work through text, although it can function as a primary phone as well. Early reservations, requiring a $199 deposit, secure an early-bird price of $399, down from the retail price of $499.

      Whether the longing for physical keyboards can sustain a phone company remains uncertain. The niche market left by BlackBerry has dwindled significantly, and Clicks is asking consumers to take a chance on a startup that has yet to release a phone. However, with the increasing pushback against always-on touchscreen devices and the Communicator’s innovative notification filtering, the timing might be more favorable than it seems.