If in case you have fond reminiscences of clicking away on the BlackBerry, the Palm Treo, the T-Cellular Sidekick or related handhelds from again within the day, I’ve excellent news for you: Telephones with keyboards are making a comeback. Type of.
There is a rising variety of firms seeking to carry again clicky, tactile buttons, whether or not for that nostalgic attraction or to reinvent cellphone keyboards as an addition to your iPhone or Android system. A few of these have even simply introduced their plans at CES 2026 or shall be bringing these button-filled telephones to this 12 months’s Cellular World Congress.
From keyboard circumstances to modern-day BlackBerry clones, this is what we all know in regards to the potential QWERTY renaissance.
The BlackBerry Traditional, as seen right here, is considered one of quite a lot of telephones having an sudden revival. An organization referred to as Zinwa is swapping out the cellphone’s internals with up to date {hardware}, after which promoting it.
Why are keyboards on telephones making a comeback?
It is troublesome to evaluate the precise turning level for when bodily cellphone keyboards made a comeback, however we’ve a few guesses. Maybe the most important cause that is taking place is that folks depend on their telephones as their main pc. As such, they’re in all probability typing lengthy emails or enhancing documentation with simply their cellphone’s contact keyboard.
Whereas that is completely fantastic for most individuals, some yearn for the consolation and tactile really feel of bodily keys. And maybe getting uninterested in unhealthy autocorrect errors when typing too shortly.
One other potential case for telephones with keyboards is just the will for selection. Some individuals would possibly really feel a basic fatigue over the acquainted feel and appear of trendy smartphones. Having a handset that features in a different way — see the recognition of current flip and folding telephones — is a welcome change.
Plus, telephones with keyboards attraction not simply to the older technology who miss them, but in addition to the youthful technology who’re more and more into retro tech.
The Clicks case, as seen right here throughout CES 2024, helps you to add a keyboard onto your present cellphone.
Can I get a BlackBerry in 2026?
Not likely. If you wish to get a brand new BlackBerry proper out of the manufacturing facility, you are out of luck, as the corporate discontinued {hardware} manufacturing in 2020 and additional discontinued its software program companies in 2022.
You could possibly attempt to get a BlackBerry on the secondary market (just like the TCL-made KeyOne or Key2), however the Android model is outdated and will not be as practical as different smartphones. Wirecutter’s Brenda Stolyar not too long ago tried to revive a Blackberry Traditional Q20 from 2015 and found that, whereas it could possibly nonetheless run trendy apps, it takes plenty of endurance to sideload them onto the system.
Zinwa is one firm that is shopping for up previous inventory of BlackBerry {hardware}, changing the internals with new parts, putting in Android after which reselling them. Its first “product” is the Zinwa Q25, which is actually a retrofitted BlackBerry Traditional. You should purchase the completed product for $400 or get a conversion package for $300.
What keyboard telephones and equipment are presently out there?
There are a number of choices for keyboard telephones available on the market.
Clicks keyboard case
The simplest method to get a cellphone with a keyboard is to show your present cellphone into one. That is the promise of the Clicks keyboard case, which provides a bodily keyboard to most trendy smartphones. It made a giant splash at CES 2024 and has continued to broaden its lineup (we’ll get to that shortly). Merely pop your cellphone contained in the case, and voila, you will have a cellphone with a keyboard.
In our hands-on, we appreciated the additional display actual property, how shortly the keyboard interface labored, the preprogrammed keyboard shortcuts and the tactile keys. That mentioned, the keyboard does really feel a bit crowded, and it is unclear if it is that rather more comfy than the default contact keyboard. At the moment, the Clicks keyboard case works with the iPhone 14 and newer, the Razr 2024 and newer and the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional. Its worth begins at $139.
There are additionally plans to launch a Clicks Energy Keyboard, that attaches to your cellphone through MagSafe or Qi2 magnetic connection. The Energy Keyboard has a slider that accommodates telephones of various sizes, plus it may be paired with a pill, a wise TV or something that makes use of Bluetooth. This makes the Energy Keyboard far more versatile than the Clicks case, because it would not must be made for a specific system.
The preorder worth is $79, although that would go up sooner or later.
It is a non-working prototype of the Clicks Communicator cellphone.
Clicks Communicator
For those who really feel able to get a devoted keyboard-equipped cellphone, Clicks additionally not too long ago introduced the Clicks Communicator, an Android smartphone centered across the keyboard expertise. It’s designed by a former BlackBerry designer to point out what a brand new BlackBerry cellphone could be like for 2026. It has a slimmed-down interface that prioritizes messaging apps, a text-based residence display and naturally, a tactile and clicky keyboard.
As it isn’t as full-featured as different trendy smartphones, Clicks is positioning the Communicator as a secondary productivity-focused system, which is likely to be an excellent factor if you happen to’re making an attempt to restrict your social media display time.
It will be out there later this 12 months for $499, however you possibly can preorder it now for $399.
Unihertz Titan
Unihertz is a Chinese language firm that is been making keyboard telephones for a number of years now. They’re all a part of the Titan sequence and run Android. The present lineup consists of the Titan, Titan Pocket, Titan Slim and Titan 2. Plus, an upcoming Titan 2 Elite has been teased for Cellular World Congress. It seems like a curvier addition to the lineup, in contrast with the opposite passport-shaped fashions.
These telephones look quite a bit like BlackBerrys of yore, and the Titan 2 specifically appears to bear a passing resemblance to the BlackBerry Passport.
Costs begin at round $300.
The Ikko Thoughts One has an elective keyboard case, that provides it a BlackBerry-like look.
Ikko Thoughts One
The Ikko Thoughts One is a singular “card-sized” Android cellphone that comes with an revolutionary Sony 50-megapixel flip-up digital camera and, certainly, an elective keyboard case. It additionally ships with an “Ikko AI OS,” although it is unclear how that works simply but. It seems totally lovely, however we’ve not heard sufficient about it but.
The Professional model sells for $429.
The Minimal Cellphone.
Minimal Cellphone
For those who mixed a Kindle with a BlackBerry, you might need the Minimal Cellphone. Because the identify suggests, the Minimal Cellphone is designed to be a super-simple distraction-free different to the fashionable smartphone. It has a generic e-paper show, a simple consumer interface, a QWERTY keyboard and the Android working system.
The value begins at $449. You’ll be able to try PCMag’s assessment of the Minimal Cellphone right here.
Which bodily cellphone keyboard ought to I get?
For now, the best method to get a bodily keyboard in your cellphone is probably going one of many Clicks equipment, for the reason that keyboard case and energy keyboard will not require a full cellphone buy.
For many of those different units, you are getting into a distinct segment cellphone class, so assist could possibly be in every single place. You will wish to verify what number of years of software program and safety updates these different telephones are anticipated to obtain. That means, you possibly can have an thought about what number of years of use you possibly can safely get with these telephones.
You will additionally wish to take into account the way you wish to use the system. For those who’re on the lookout for one thing that is a step again from a extra highly effective but consistently pinging system, the Clicks Communicator or the Minimal Cellphone would possibly make an excellent secondary cellphone. The Unihertz Titan line and the Ikko Thoughts One could also be a better mimic of that BlackBerry expertise.
