Clicks is giving its Communicator a more practical profile before it even reaches buyers. The latest update centers on two changes that matter most for everyday use: a larger battery than originally planned and Android 17 preinstalled out of the box.
That combination shifts the device away from being a pure nostalgia play. While the physical keyboard remains its defining feature, the new details suggest Clicks is also trying to make the Communicator feel like a more complete Android phone for regular use.
A bigger battery than first announced
The Communicator now carries a 4,450mAh battery using silicon-carbon technology. That is up from the 4,000mAh capacity previously announced, which works out to an increase of about 11.25 percent.
For a device built around a physical keyboard, that change matters more than it might on a typical all-screen phone. The keyboard takes up space inside the body, so improving battery capacity without changing the concept helps address one of the key challenges in this kind of design.
It also signals that Clicks is looking beyond novelty. A larger battery makes the Communicator appear better suited to daily use, not just as a throwback product aimed at people who miss older keyboard phones.
Android 17 arrives from day one
Software is another area where the Communicator stands out. The device will launch with Android 17 already installed, even though the operating system is still in beta at the time of the update.
That gives the phone a cleaner start for buyers. Instead of waiting for a major system update after purchase, users will begin with the newest Android version already in place.
The move also points to a longer-term approach. Launching with Android 17 suggests Clicks wants the Communicator to feel current from the moment it is turned on, rather than relying only on its unusual hardware to attract attention.
What the updates say about Clicks’ strategy
The Communicator is not entering a market that rewards nostalgia alone. Most Android phones focus on thin designs and full screens, while this model puts a physical keyboard at the center of its identity.
By upgrading the battery and shipping with the latest Android version, Clicks appears to be trying to balance that retro-inspired hardware with more modern expectations. The result is a device that looks distinctive but is also being shaped for everyday practicality.
The updated details were shared with preorder customers as the phone moves closer to release. Clicks had already said the Communicator was planned for a fourth-quarter launch, which means there is still time before it reaches the broader market.
Preorder options remain in place
Clicks is still offering two ways to reserve the device. Buyers can place a $199 deposit to secure priority access at launch and pay the remaining balance when the phone becomes available.
The other option is to pay the full $499 upfront. That choice includes a free $50 back cover as a bonus.
Those preorder paths give customers flexibility depending on how ready they are to commit. One option lowers the barrier to entry, while the other rewards full payment with an added accessory.
The Communicator is still unusual enough to stand out on its own, but the latest changes make it easier to view as more than a keyboard-first curiosity. With a bigger battery and Android 17 from the start, Clicks is pushing the device closer to something that can compete on everyday usefulness as well as design.
Source: www.androidpolice.com