Clicks’ Tiny Communicator Phone: Who It’s For and Why

• Key Takeaways:
• Clicks launched a sliding Power Keyboard accessory (Qi2 magnetic, Bluetooth) that doubles as a battery pack and keyboard-only power mode.
• The Clicks Communicator is a 4-inch Android phone with a physical keyboard, Niagara-style list UI, and a focus on messaging and triage.
• Target users: people who carry a second device for work, small-business owners, travelers with dual SIM needs, and digital-minimalism advocates.
• Communicator pre-orders are $399; launch expected second half of 2026.

What Clicks announced at CES 2026

Clicks—known for tactile keyboard accessories for iPhone and Android—introduced two new products: the Power Keyboard accessory and a dedicated phone called the Clicks Communicator.

Power Keyboard: a magnetic, sliding keyboard with a battery

The $79 Power Keyboard magnetically attaches to any Qi2-compatible phone and connects over Bluetooth. It uses a slider mechanism so the keyboard sits flush on the back when closed and slides up to reveal keys, echoing classics like the Palm Pre and BlackBerry Torch.

It adds a dedicated number row and can supply emergency charge. You can prioritize keyboard power over phone charging—setting a reserve percentage (for example, keep 20% for the keyboard). In keyboard-only mode the unit can last for weeks between charges.

Clicks Communicator: a compact second phone with a purpose

The Communicator is a small, squat device built around a 4-inch touchscreen and a physical keyboard. Clicks positions it not as a duplicate of your iPhone or Pixel but as a complementary device optimized for messaging and quick triage.

Co-founder and former BlackBerry marketing director Jeff Gadway said the company researched use cases before production: "You've got people who are mandated to carry a second device for corporate deploy. Then you've got people who are small business owners... travelers who want a second SIM, and then you've got this growing cohort of digital detox, digital minimalism, digital well-being people."

Software and user experience

The Communicator runs Android and ships with a custom implementation of a Niagara-style list launcher focused on messaging apps. The keyboard is touch-sensitive and supports swipes for navigation and actions, letting users triage conversations without reaching for a large touchscreen.

Clicks says users can install any Android apps, but the device is intentionally optimized around short-form communication rather than full-screen content consumption.

Price, availability and who should consider it

The Communicator is available for pre-order at $399, roughly in Pixel 9a price territory, and is expected to ship in the second half of 2026. Clicks is a small hardware maker aiming for niche adoption rather than mass-market volume.

If you carry a separate work phone, manage a small-business line, travel with multiple SIMs, or seek a simpler, keyboard-centered experience for messaging and digital minimalism, the Communicator is explicitly aimed at you.

We’ll get a clearer sense of fit and performance once reviewers test a working unit later this year.