An updated smartphone reminiscent of BlackBerry devices sees price adjustments and improved specifications.
Tech company Clicks is about to gauge the market’s interest in a contemporary version of the BlackBerry phone. The Clicks Communicator, its inaugural smartphone, is set to ship in December, almost a year after its CES introduction in 2026. The final release will feature several specification enhancements along with a price increase coming into effect on October 1.
Notable updates include an increase in RAM from 8GB to 12GB, and an enhancement in battery capacity from 4,000mAh to 4,350mAh, capable of supporting over 800 charging cycles. The device will operate on Android 17 and will receive software updates up to Android 20, along with five years of security support.
Striking a balance between nostalgic design and modern technology, the Communicator features a physical keyboard beneath its 4.03-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor and includes 256GB of internal storage with the option for microSD expansion. In a nod to the past, it also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The keyboard is more than just a set of buttons; its surface is touch-sensitive, allowing swiping for navigation. Additionally, the spacebar functions as a fingerprint sensor. Clicks offers various keyboard layouts including English (QWERTY), French (AZERTY), German (QWERTZ), Korean, and Arabic.
Clicks markets the Communicator as an ideal secondary device, focusing on messaging and calls rather than endless scrolling through apps. It’s positioned not to compete with the latest flagship models, but rather as “a new type of mobile communicator.” However, given its distinctive screen dimensions, some Android applications may not be fully compatible, and its processing power is not at the premium level. The camera setup includes a 50MP rear camera and a 24MP front-facing camera, without a multi-lens array.
Availability
However, there is some disappointing news: while pre-orders for the Communicator can still be made at the initial price of $499, this will increase to $649 starting October 1. This price point could be seen as steep for a device described primarily as a novelty second phone.
The Clicks Communicator can be pre-ordered directly from the company’s website. Those who have reserved will soon be able to select customization options such as color, keyboard configurations, and charging accessories. While considering your options, further insights can be gathered from a recent interview with the company founder and an informative demo video.
