Hands-on with a prototype of Clicks’ Communicator, a new BlackBerry-like smartphone

The BlackBerry is back — sort of — thanks to the latest product from the mobile keyboard maker, Click technologyany Last week, it announced its first phonea $499 communicator that includes a physical keyboard. The company also offers a separate $79 slide-out physical keyboard that fits any device.

At CES, TechCrunch spoke with CMO and co-founder of Clicks, Jeff Gadway, and learned about the latest hand-crafted prototype of the highly anticipated smartphone.

The device, which offers a BlackBerry-like keyboard and a messaging-focused touchscreen, runs Android 16 under the hood. This means that Communicator can launch any Android app, but partners with the simple Niagara Launcher to display your favorite apps on the home screen. Other applications can be easily accessed via a scrollable list.

Gadway told TechCrunch that reception for the new devices has been better than expected. Although he declined to share sales figures, he said that over the past week the company was making a sale every 6.5 seconds between both devices.

While the prototype we tried isn’t a working phone, it’s the same size and weight as the device that will ship later this year, giving a first sense of what it’ll be like to use the Communicator.

The interchangeable back covers can come off so you can change the phone’s design whenever inspiration strikes. Although not present in the prototype, the lid will have a small opening at the top and then a small finger at the bottom.

Below the back is where your nano-SIM card will fit. Built-in storage is up to 256GB, with expandable microSD storage for up to 2TB of data. The device will also feature a 4,000 mAh carbon silicon battery and currently weighs around 170 grams (or 6 ounces).

In our hands-on testing, the phone feels good to hold. The device is not too heavy but not too light and easy to hold.

Jadway points out that the final form was reached after dozens of 3D printed shapes. The phone’s winning design includes a contoured back that makes it easy to pick up and hold.

The device’s screen is also somewhat high from the body, and the device’s chin is curved upward, creating a recessed area to protect the keys when placed face down. (You’ll want to put the phone down if you’re trying to avoid distractions!)

This is also where the device’s illuminated side button can help. The button called “Signal Light” can be configured to glow in different colors or patterns when you receive messages from certain people, groups, or apps. This way, you can be sure to respond if your boss or kids call you, but you can ignore it when it’s a less important notice.

The tactile physical keys feel good, although the prototype version may actually be a little less “clicky” than the final product. (There’s debate about whether switches should have 110 grams of pressure or more like 120 or 130 grams, and feedback so far suggests the latter numbers win.)

With less pressure, the keys become softer, which may make them more accessible for those who haven’t used a BlackBerry before. But people who type quickly tend to prefer more keys to press because there is more feedback.

“These are the things that Michael Fisher, Kevin Michaluk, and I fight about all the time,” Gadway said, referring to the co-founders. “We’re fighting over the gram.”

The keys and screen are at the same vertical height, so you can seamlessly transition from keyboard to touchscreen.

The phone’s fixed focus front camera can capture 24-megapixel photos. The rear camera, which features optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization for video, can take 50-megapixel photos.

The phone will also feature a 4nm MediaTek processor, 5G IoT, with 8GB of RAM.

The Communicator’s display will be a 4.03-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1200. Wired charging is up to 18W, and wireless charging is up to 15W. The device is also Qi-compatible and Android Strongbox ready, which will appeal to security-minded customers.

The phone has other standard features as well, such as GPS and NFC, and will offer five years of security and Android updates through Android 20.

The device is expected to ship in the second half of 2026.