Is the BlackBerry Back? The Clicks Communicator, priced at $499, is making a bold play to resurrect the iconic BlackBerry experience. But is it enough to win over modern smartphone users? Let's dive in!
This isn't just another phone; it's the debut smartphone from the brand behind the Clicks keyboard cases. They've taken what they learned from crafting physical keyboard cases for devices from Apple, Google, Motorola, and Samsung and are now offering their own take on a smartphone. The Clicks Communicator aims to blend the familiar BlackBerry aesthetic with today's technology.
This Android-powered device boasts features that are becoming increasingly rare, such as a replaceable back, a notification LED, and an audio jack. It's a throwback in some ways, but with a modern twist.
The Communicator features a 4.03-inch 1080 × 1020 AMOLED touch display with rounded corners and a uniform bezel. The screen includes a punch-hole for a 24MP front-facing camera, uniquely positioned in the top left corner.
Inside, the phone packs an unspecified 4nm MediaTek processor, paired with unspecified RAM but a generous 256GB of storage. A microSD card slot allows for an additional 2TB of storage. The rear houses a single 50MP camera with optical image stabilization, and a 4,000mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports Qi2 wireless charging and USB-C charging.
It supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM. It also includes NFC, Wi-Fi 6, an audio jack, and a USB-C port. For added security and convenience, there's a physical kill switch and a power button located at the top.
The right side features a customizable side key with an integrated LED, allowing users to assign custom colors for specific contacts or apps. The side key can also be used for voice notes, transcribing meetings, or converting voice to text.
The keyboard is touch-sensitive, enabling scrolling through apps and webpages without touching the screen. A fingerprint scanner is cleverly integrated under the spacebar. Users can also assign custom shortcuts to the red Clicks key on the keyboard.
Available in three colors, the Clicks Communicator has a flat frame, and the removable back features a dimpled surface for better grip. The phone ships with Android 16 and a custom launcher. Clicks promises two years of Android updates and five years of security updates.
Here's the deal: The Clicks Communicator is available for pre-order. An early bird price of $399 includes priority shipping and two free back covers (a $100 value). You can secure this price with a $199 reservation deposit. Once launched, the phone will retail for $499. Shipping is slated for later this year, with a specific date to be confirmed when manufacturing is finalized.
But here's where it gets controversial... Will the physical keyboard be enough to attract users in a world dominated by touchscreens?
And this is the part most people miss... The focus on features like a replaceable back and an audio jack shows a commitment to user preferences that are often overlooked by major manufacturers.
What are your thoughts? Is the Clicks Communicator a welcome return to form, or is it a nostalgic attempt that misses the mark? Share your opinions in the comments below!
