Clicks Showed in Video Communicator Smartphone with BlackBerry-Style Keyboard for 499 dollars
Clicks Technology showed video of pre-production hardware and software for Communicator smartphone — a device with physical keyboard for 499 dollars, called the closest BlackBerry analog in recent years. The device was first shown at CES in January 2026, shipments are planned for Q4 2026.
AI-processed from TNW; edited by Hamidun News
Clicks Technology published a video on June 30, 2026, demonstrating a pre-production Communicator smartphone — a device with a physical keyboard priced at $499, described as the closest analog to a new BlackBerry in recent years.
What was shown in the video
The video demonstrated pre-production hardware and internal software of the Communicator — a version of the device not yet ready for mass production, but already functional.
- Video published on June 30, 2026
- Device price — $499
- Smartphone equipped with a physical keyboard
- Communicator first presented at CES in January 2026
- Shipments scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026
Why it's compared to BlackBerry
Physical keyboards have nearly disappeared from smartphones after the market shifted to touch-only screens, and BlackBerry itself discontinued phone production. Clicks Technology builds its product precisely in this niche: a QWERTY-keyboard device, described in the material as the closest to a new BlackBerry device to emerge in recent years.
The fact that the company shows pre-production hardware and software several months before scheduled shipments in the fourth quarter is standard practice for niche devices: this allows the manufacturer to gather feedback and build anticipation among the audience eager for keyboard phones before sales begin.
What this means
The Communicator is a bet on a narrow but loyal audience waiting for physical keyboard phones to return: the device's success will depend not on competition with Apple and Samsung flagships, but on whether enough customers are willing to pay $499 for this niche form factor.
Frequently asked questions
How much will the Communicator smartphone cost?
$499 — the price Clicks Technology announced for a device with a physical keyboard.
When will the Communicator go on sale?
The device was first shown at CES in January 2026, with shipments scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
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Key Questions Answered
How much will the Communicator smartphone cost?
$499 — the price Clicks Technology announced for a device with a physical keyboard.
When will the Communicator go on sale?
The device was first shown at CES in January 2026, with shipments scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
What was shown in the video?
The video demonstrated pre-production hardware and internal software of the Communicator — a version of the device not yet ready for mass production, but already functional. Video published on June 30, 2026 Device price — $499 Smartphone equipped with a physical keyboard Communicator first presented at CES in January 2026 Shipments scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026
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