< img src="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-02.jpg" alt=""width= "1280" height ="960"/ > When Clicks revealed the Clicks Communicator at CES 2026, the device immediately stood apart in a sea of look-alike mobile phones. It sets a physical QWERTY keyboard with a communication-first approach that feels deliberately different from the existing piece phone crowd. Clicks likewise shared a number of requirements at the time, yet it did not confirm exactly when the phone would introduce.
At a Mobile World Congress (MWC) off-site occasion in Barcelona, Clicks offered a clearer update on where the Communicator stands today. The business used the occasion to signify that the task is progressing beyond the early expose phase. It placed the Communicator as moving gradually toward launch.
Designer: Clicks
< img src="// www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201280%20960%22%3E%3C/svg%3E"data-src ="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-15.jpg"alt= ""width ="1280"height="960 "/ > Clicks showcased the Communicator to media and potential partners, and I had the chance to quickly go hands-on with the device. The unit on display screen was still a mockup rather than a final production model. Even so, it provided a useful glance at how the hardware instructions is taking shape. In hand, the Communicator feels nice and compact, and it sits comfortably in the palm.
The balance feels considered, and the total shape makes it easy to grip without feeling slippery or awkward. Typing likewise felt comfortable during my short time with it, which is the”make or break”moment for any keyboard phone.< img src ="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-05.jpg"alt=""
width=”1280″ height =”960″/ > The construct felt solid, even in mockup type. Among the most interesting design touches is a magnetic, swappable back panel that snaps on with a confident fit. That modular detail offers the phone a more individual, tool-like ambiance, and it recommends Clicks is thinking of long-term ownership instead of fast upgrades.< img src =" https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-12.jpg "alt="" width ="1280 "height= "960"/ > According to Adrian Li, founder and CEO of Clicks, the Communicator has generated substantial interest from the industry over the past couple of months. Li said the company has been approached by several mobile providers along with significant sellers that have an interest in bringing the device to market. For a young hardware company going into the competitive smartphone area, that attention could be critical. Carrier partnerships in particular might play a decisive function in the Communicator’s success. While some niche smart devices rely primarily on direct online sales, carrier support can expand a gadget’s reach through stores and bundled service strategies. Li kept in mind that Clicks is currently in discussions with prospective provider partners as it explores different distribution techniques for the phone. 
< img src="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-11.jpg"alt =""width="1280 "height="960"/ > Although the model shown at MWC was not yet fully practical, the hardware style already shows the Communicator’s core concept of efficient interaction. The device includes a compact 4-inch class AMOLED display
positioned above a physical backlit QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard is developed to deliver tactile feedback for fast, accurate typing, and it likewise supports gesture controls for scrolling and navigation. Under the hood, the Communicator is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8300 processor and runs Android 16. That combination ought to supply access to the complete Android app community while keeping the experience centered on messaging and efficiency. The phone is expected to ship with 256GB of internal storage and assistance microSD growth of as much as 2TB, which is progressively rare in contemporary smartphones.
The remainder of the hardware remains strongly in modern smart device territory. The Communicator includes a 50 MP rear cam with optical image stabilization, plus a 24 MP front camera for video calls and selfies. A 4,000 mAh silicon carbon battery powers the device, with assistance for
USB-C charging and Qi2 cordless charging. Connectivity choices include 5G, Wi Fi 6, Bluetooth, and NFC. A mix of nano SIM and eSIM support provides users versatility when choosing carriers. The Communicator likewise retains a 3.5 mm earphone jack, which will matter to power users and anybody who still prefers wired audio. Clicks is constructing a number of software functions around the phone’s communication first pitch. The gadget consists of a Message Center that aggregates conversations from numerous messaging platforms into a single user interface, which need to decrease app hopping. A customizable notification light referred to as the Signal LED can display different colors depending on which contact or app is connecting.
In spite of its performance focus, the Communicator is not indicated to be a limited-function device. Clicks positions it as either a main smartphone for users who prioritize messaging or a secondary device that matches a larger entertainment-focused phone. That versatility might be a crucial part of its appeal, particularly for individuals who want a more focused tool without quiting modern-day apps.
When it comes to when the Communicator will reach customers, Clicks states more information is coming soon. According to the company, the main launch date will be exposed in approximately 2 months. Up until then, the Communicator remains in the appealing middle ground between principle and item.
For now, the Communicator blends nostalgia with modern-day mobile phone abilities in such a way that feels intentional instead of gimmicky. The compact in-hand feel, comfortable typing, and durable develop are motivating indications, even if this was not yet a final system. If carrier and retail interest continues to build, Clicks may be on track to ship a gadget that serves individuals who still value fast typing and focused interaction in a significantly distraction-heavy mobile world.
< img src="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-14.jpg" alt ="" width="1280" height="960"/ > < img src ="// www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201280%20960%22%3E%3C/svg%3E" data-src="https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2026/03/carriers-want-this-blackberry-style-phone-i-tried-it-at-mwc/clicks-communicator-14.jpg" alt ="" width="1280" height="960"/ >