Clicks, best known for its tactile keyboard cases for iPhones, is doubling down on nostalgia-driven hardware.

A year after debuting its first keyboard case, the company has returned with a redesigned MagSafe keyboard battery and its own Android-based mobile device.

Clicks initially drew attention ahead of CES 2024 with its keyboard case for iPhones, a product that split opinion despite its bold design. Now, the company has reworked the concept entirely.

Instead of functioning as a phone case, the new Clicks Power Keyboard snaps onto the back of a phone using MagSafe. This shift significantly improves compatibility and flexibility.

Broader device compatibility

Unlike earlier Clicks keyboards that were tied to specific iPhone models, the Power Keyboard connects via Bluetooth. This means it works with any MagSafe-compatible iPhone.

It also supports Android devices that allow magnetic charging, marking the first time Clicks has opened its keyboard ecosystem to non-iPhone users.

Battery, size, and weight trade-offs

The Clicks Power Keyboard houses a 2,150mAh battery. According to the company, this delivers around a 68% charge for an iPhone Air and roughly 42% for an iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Rather than serving as an emergency charger, the keyboard is positioned as a way to extend battery life, particularly during travel.

One drawback is weight. The Power Keyboard weighs 180g, slightly heavier than the iPhone 17 itself, which comes in at 177g.

It is also significantly thicker. While the iPhone 17 measures 7.95mm, the Power Keyboard is 15.2mm thick, nearly doubling the device’s overall thickness when attached.

Learning from past criticism

Clicks’ earlier keyboard cases faced criticism for their device-specific designs. Users often needed to replace the keyboard when upgrading their phone.

By shifting to Bluetooth and MagSafe, the Power Keyboard eliminates this issue, making it usable across multiple phone generations and platforms.

Alongside the keyboard battery, Clicks announced the Clicks Communicator, which it describes as a “mobile communicator” rather than a smartphone. The company says it is “designed for doing, not doomscrolling.”

Despite the branding, it is a full-fledged Android device running Android 16 with 5G support, NanoSIM and eSIM compatibility, and 256GB of internal storage expandable up to 2TB via microSD.

The Communicator features a 4.03-inch AMOLED display, far smaller than most modern smartphones. It includes a 50MP rear camera with optical image stabilisation and a 24MP front-facing camera.

Additional throwback features include a tactile keyboard, expandable storage, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pricing and availability

Clicks says the Communicator is meant to complement a primary smartphone, though it can function as a standalone device.

Preorders are open starting today. Buyers can either pay $399 upfront or place a $199 deposit to secure early bird pricing. The device will retail for $499 at launch, with early pricing available until February 27.