Clicks shows off its $499 BlackBerry-style keyboard phone, the Communicator, in a new video
Clicks Technology has posted a video showing pre-production hardware and in-house software for the Communicator, a $499 phone with a physical keyboard that's being called the closest thing to a BlackBerry in years. The device debuted at CES in January 2026, and shipments are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
AI-processed from TNW; edited by Hamidun News
On June 30, 2026, Clicks Technology posted a video demonstrating the pre-production Communicator, a $499 smartphone with a physical keyboard that's being called the closest thing to a new BlackBerry in years.
What the video shows
The clip shows the Communicator's pre-production hardware and in-house software. In other words, it's a version of the device that isn't ready for mass production yet, but already works.
- The video was posted on June 30, 2026
- The device costs $499
- The phone has a physical keyboard
- The Communicator was first unveiled at CES in January 2026
- Shipments are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026
Why it's being compared to BlackBerry
Physical keyboards all but vanished from smartphones once the market moved to full touchscreens and BlackBerry itself stopped making phones. Clicks Technology is building its product squarely for that niche: a QWERTY phone that the report describes as the closest thing to a new BlackBerry to appear in years.
Showing pre-production hardware and software months ahead of the promised Q4 shipments is standard practice for niche devices. It lets the manufacturer collect feedback and build excitement among people who miss keyboard phones before sales even start.
What it means
The Communicator is a bet on a small but loyal audience waiting for the physical keyboard to return to smartphones. Its success won't hinge on competing with Apple and Samsung flagships, but on whether enough buyers are willing to pay $499 for a niche form factor.
Frequently asked questions
How much will the Communicator cost?
$499 — that's the price Clicks Technology has set for its physical-keyboard device.
When will the Communicator go on sale?
The device was first shown at CES in January 2026, and shipments are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
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Key Questions Answered
How much will the Communicator cost?
$499 — that's the price Clicks Technology has set for its physical-keyboard device.
When will the Communicator go on sale?
The device was first shown at CES in January 2026, and shipments are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
What the video shows?
The clip shows the Communicator's pre-production hardware and in-house software. In other words, it's a version of the device that isn't ready for mass production yet, but already works. The video was posted on June 30, 2026 The device costs $499 The phone has a physical keyboard The Communicator was first unveiled at CES in January 2026 Shipments are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026
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