If you have fond memories of clicking the BlackberryTHE Treo Palm TreeTHE T-Mobile’s Sidekick or similar handheld computers from back in the day, I have good news for you: keypad phones are making a comeback. Sort of.
There are a growing number of companies looking to bring back tactile, clickable buttons, whether for that nostalgic appeal or to reinvent phone keypads as a complement to your iPhone Or Android device. Some of them even just announced their plans at CES 2026 or will be showing off these button-filled phones at this year’s Mobile World Congress.
From keyboard cases to modern BlackBerry clones, here’s what we know about QWERTY’s potential renaissance.
The BlackBerry Classic, as seen here, is one of many phones experiencing an unexpected revival. A company called Zinwa replaces the phone’s internal components with updated hardware and then sells it.
Josh Miller/CNETWhy are phone keypads making a comeback?
It’s difficult to gauge the exact turning point in the return of physical phone keypads, but we have some guesses. Perhaps the biggest reason this happens is because people use their phone as their primary computer. As such, they’re likely typing long emails or editing documentation with only their phone’s touch keyboard.
While this is fine for most people, some crave the comfort and tactile feel of physical keys. And maybe get tired of bad autocorrect errors when you type too quickly.
Another potential case for phones with keypads is simply the desire for variety. Some people might feel a general weariness with the familiar look of modern smartphones. Having a handset that works differently – see the popularity of recent foldable phones – is a welcome change.
Additionally, phones with keyboards appeal not only to the older generation who miss them, but also to the younger generation who are increasingly interested in retro technology.
The Clicks case, as seen here during CES 2024, lets you add a keyboard to your existing phone.
Nick Wolny/CNETCan I get a BlackBerry in 2026?
Not really. If you want to get a new BlackBerry right out of the factory, you’re out of luck, as the company stopped hardware production in 2020 and further discontinued its software services in 2022.
You can try to get a BlackBerry on the aftermarket (like the KeyOne or Key2 made by TCL), but the Android version is outdated and won’t be as functional as other smartphones. Wirecutter’s Brenda Stolyar recently attempted to revive a Blackberry Classic Q20 from 2015 and found that while it can still run modern apps, it takes a lot of patience to load them onto the device.
Zinwa is a company that buys old inventory of BlackBerry hardware, replaces the internal components with new components, installs Android and then resells them. Its first “product” is the Zinwa Q25, which is essentially a modernized BlackBerry Classic. You can buy the finished product for $400 or get a conversion kit for $300.
What keypad phones and accessories are currently available?
There are several options for touch-tone phones on the market.
Clicky keyboard case
The easiest way to get a phone with a keypad is to upgrade your existing phone to one. That’s the promise of the Clicks Keyboard Case, which adds a physical keyboard to most modern smartphones. It made a splash at CES 2024 and has continued to expand its lineup (we’ll get to that shortly). Simply insert your phone into the case and voilà, you will have a phone with a keyboard.
In our practicewe liked the extra screen real estate, the quick operation of the keyboard interface, the pre-programmed keyboard shortcuts and the touch-sensitive keys. That said, the keyboard feels a bit cluttered and it’s unclear if it’s much more comfortable than the default touchscreen keyboard. Currently the Clicks keyboard case works with the iPhone14 and more recent, the Razr 2024 and more recent and the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Its price starts at $139.
It is also planned to publish a Power Keyboard Clickswhich connects to your phone via MagSafe or Qi2 magnetic connection. The Power Keyboard has a slider that fits phones of different sizes, and it can also pair with a tablet, smart TV, or anything that uses Bluetooth. This makes the Power Keyboard much more flexible than the Clicks case, as it doesn’t need to be designed for a particular device.
The pre-order price is $79, but it may increase in the future.
This is a non-functional prototype of the Clicks Communicator phone.
Alexandra Capable/CNETClick Communicator
If you feel ready to get a phone with a dedicated keypad, Clicks also recently announced the Click Communicatoran Android smartphone focused on the keyboard experience. It’s designed by a former BlackBerry designer to show what a new BlackBerry phone for 2026 would look like. It has a slimmed-down interface that prioritizes messaging apps, a text-based home screen, and of course, a touch-and-clickable keyboard.
Since it’s not as feature-rich as other modern smartphones, Clicks positions the Communicator as a productivity-focused secondary device, which could be a good thing if you’re trying to limit your screen time on social media.
It will be available later this year for $499, but you can pre-order it now for $399.
UnihertzTitan
Unihertz is a Chinese company that has been making touch-tone phones for a few years now. They are all part of the Titan series and run on Android. The current lineup includes the Titan, Titan Pocket, Titan Slim, and Titan 2. Additionally, an upcoming Titan 2 Elite was announced for Mobile World Congress. It looks like a curvier addition to the range, compared to other passport-shaped models.
These phones look a lot like the BlackBerrys of old, and the Titan 2 in particular seems to bear a passing resemblance to the BlackBerry Passport.
Prices start at around $300.
The Ikko Mind One has an optional keyboard case, which gives it a BlackBerry-like look.
IkkoIkko Mind One
The Ikko Mind One is a unique card-sized Android phone that comes with an innovative 50-megapixel Sony camera and, indeed, an optional keyboard case. It also comes with an “Ikko AI operating system,” although it’s not yet clear how that works. It sounds totally adorable, but we haven’t heard enough about it yet.
The Pro version sells for $429.
The minimal phone.
Sarah Seigneur/PCMagMinimal phone
If you combine a Kindle with a BlackBerry, you could have the Minimal Phone. As the name suggests, the Minimal Phone is designed to be a very simple, distraction-free alternative to the modern smartphone. It has a generic e-paper screen, simple user interface, QWERTY keyboard and Android operating system.
Pricing starts at $449. You can check out the PCMag review of the Minimal Phone here.
Which physical phone keypad should I get?
For now, the easiest way to get a physical keyboard on your phone is probably one of Clicks accessories, as the keyboard case and electric keyboard won’t require a full purchase of the phone.
For most of these other devices, you’re entering a niche phone category, so support can be omnipresent. You’ll want to check how many years of software and security updates these other phones should receive. This way you can get an idea of how many years of use you can safely get from these phones.
You will also need to think about how you want to use the device. If you’re looking for something that takes a step back from a more powerful device but with consistent ping, the Clicks Communicator or Minimal Phone can make a good secondary phone. The Unihertz Titan range and the Ikko Mind One could be a closer imitation of this BlackBerry experience.
