Clicks has now shown a working prototype of the Communicator in an official hands-on video, offering the clearest look yet at the Android device built around a BlackBerry-style keyboard. For fans of physical-keyboard phones, the fact that the device is finally running marks an important shift from concept to something that looks genuinely real.
The first thing that stands out is not only the retro-inspired design, but also Clicks’ effort to blend modern Android software with a phone that puts communication first. The company is positioning the Communicator as a secondary device rather than a primary smartphone, which gives the product a very specific role in today’s market.
A closer look after its CES debut
The Communicator first drew attention at CES because of its familiar BlackBerry-like shape, but until now there had been no real working unit to show how it actually behaves in use. The new video from Clicks changes that by showing the device in action instead of just on display.
In the clip, VP Clicks Jeff Gadway walks through the interface, navigation, and several hardware elements that will ship with the Communicator. One of the most notable parts is a custom launcher experience based on a modified version of Niagara Launcher.
That launcher is built to work quickly with the physical keyboard. Users can rearrange apps, search for them, and open them by typing directly on the keyboard, reinforcing the idea that the hardware keys are the main way the device is meant to be used.
Keyboard-first control defines the experience
Navigation in the video is shown happening directly through keyboard input, which gives the Communicator a very different rhythm from a standard touchscreen phone. The approach is clearly aimed at users who want speed and focus instead of a more general-purpose mobile experience.
The video also shows basic functions such as phone calls, which fits the product’s communication-focused identity. Clicks has said the Communicator will run Android 16, paired with a 4-inch OLED display that keeps the hardware compact while still using a modern software base.
Some features are still being held back for future videos, including the signal light LED, the prompt key, and the touch-sensitive keyboard. Those details suggest that Clicks is still gradually revealing how much of the hardware is designed around communication and typing.
Hardware details that set it apart
Several hardware choices make the Communicator stand out even more. The fingerprint sensor is placed in the space bar, an unusual but practical decision that keeps biometrics tied closely to the keyboard experience.
The device also includes front-facing speakers aimed at the user, along with a microphone system that Clicks says is designed for better audio quality. A 3.5 mm headphone jack is still present, which may appeal to users who prefer wired audio for calls or listening.
The rear cover can be removed, and the video also shows a glimpse of the interior. Inside, Clicks confirms that the Communicator includes a microSD card slot for storage expansion.
| Key Communicator Details | What Clicks Has Shown | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 16 | Keeps the device on a current Android base |
| Display | 4-inch OLED | Supports the compact physical-keyboard format |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Embedded in the space bar | Ties security directly to keyboard use |
| Audio | Front-facing speakers, improved microphone system, 3.5 mm jack | Supports communication and wired audio use |
| Expansion | microSD slot | Adds storage flexibility |
The combination of a removable back, expandable storage, a headphone jack, and a dedicated keyboard gives the Communicator a different identity from most modern Android phones. It feels built for a narrower set of priorities, but those priorities are unusually clear.
Designed as a second device, not a replacement
Clicks is openly framing the Communicator as a secondary device centered on communication. That means it is meant to complement a user’s main phone, not replace it as an all-purpose smartphone.
This positioning matters because it explains why the software and hardware are so focused. Instead of trying to do everything, the Communicator appears to aim for a more disciplined experience built around typing, calling, and managing communication efficiently.
For some users, that narrower mission may be exactly the attraction. It also gives the device a clearer niche for anyone who misses the BlackBerry era but still wants to stay within the Android ecosystem.
Clicks is targeting delivery in Q4 2026, so there is still a long road before the device reaches buyers. Even so, this first hands-on look makes the Communicator feel much closer to a real product than a simple nostalgia exercise.
What was once a concept that turned heads at a trade show is now showing itself as functioning hardware with a distinct purpose. If Clicks continues revealing the remaining features, the Communicator could become one of the more unusual Android devices to watch ahead of launch.
