Clicks Bets on Physical Keyboards and a Tiny Second Phone at CES 2026 The smartphone accessory company Clicks, known for its tactile keyboard cases for iPhones and Android devices, has unveiled two new products at CES 2026. The company continues to champion physical keyboards in an era dominated by touchscreens, this time introducing a magnetic sliding keyboard with a built-in battery and a small, dedicated keyboard phone called the Communicator. The new Power Keyboard represents a significant design shift from the company’s original case. Priced at $79, it magnetically attaches to the back of any phone supporting the Qi2 wireless charging standard and connects via Bluetooth. Its key feature is a slider mechanism. When closed, it resembles a chunky battery pack on the back of a phone. Slide it upward, however, and it reveals a physical keyboard, reminiscent of older devices like the Palm Pre or BlackBerry Torch. The keyboard itself includes a dedicated number row, an improvement over the first model. Beyond typing, the Power Keyboard also functions as a battery bank. It can provide a boost of charge to a connected phone, though not a full recharge. Users can customize the power management, reserving battery specifically for the keyboard to extend its life to weeks on a single charge, or setting a threshold to stop charging the phone and preserve keyboard power. The second, more surprising announcement is the Clicks Communicator, a standalone mobile phone centered around a physical keyboard. It features a small, squarish 4-inch touchscreen above the keyboard. The device runs a customized version of the Niagara Android launcher, which presents apps and notifications in a streamlined list rather than a grid, aiming to prioritize quick triaging of messages and communications. Clicks co-founder Jeff Gadway explained the rationale behind creating a second, smaller phone. He pointed to several potential user groups, including professionals required to carry a separate work device, small business owners, travelers needing a second SIM, and individuals interested in digital minimalism. The idea is that the Communicator serves as a complementary device with a specific focus, rather than a duplicate of a primary smartphone. Gadway emphasized that while optimized for communication tasks, the Communicator remains a full Android device, allowing users to install any app. However, its compact form factor naturally makes it less ideal for media consumption compared to larger smartphones. The Communicator is available for pre-order at $399, placing it in a competitive price segment with budget-friendly smartphones. As a smaller hardware maker, Clicks does not need mass-market success but aims to serve a niche audience seeking an alternative to all-screen slabs. The company believes there is a sufficient market of users who miss physical keyboards or desire a distinct secondary device. The Power Keyboard is expected sooner, while the Communicator is slated for launch in the second half of the year.
