Clicks Power Keyboard brings physical typing to smartphones for $99
The MagSafe-compatible accessory attempts to revive the BlackBerry experience, though ergonomics remain a challenge.
Clicks Technology has begun shipping its Power Keyboard, a $99 slide-out physical keyboard designed to bring tactile typing back to the modern smartphone. The accessory attaches via magnets, catering to users who find virtual keyboards inefficient for high-volume text entry.
Compatible with MagSafe and Qi2 smartphones, the device measures 119.7 × 76.6 × 15.2 mm and weighs 180 grams. Beyond the physical keys, the keyboard includes a built-in 2,150 mAh battery capable of providing wireless charging to the attached phone. As of August 2026, 75% of preorders from the first batch have shipped.
The Return of the Physical Key
Clicks Technology is positioning the Power Keyboard as a bridge for "power users" and BlackBerry nostalgics. By transforming a standard glass slab into a device with a physical interface, the company is testing the appetite for tactile input in an era of dominant touchscreens. This accessory serves as a precursor to a more ambitious project: the Clicks Communicator, a dedicated BlackBerry-style smartphone expected to ship later in 2026.
Ergonomic Trade-offs
Despite the utility of the keys, the hardware introduces notable physical compromises. The device can make the phone feel top-heavy and difficult to hold in portrait mode, particularly when paired with larger handsets such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Pixel 10 XL. Additionally, the slide mechanism may accidentally open if pressed against while being placed in a pocket.
Market Implications
The success of the Power Keyboard depends on whether the efficiency of physical typing outweighs the added bulk and weight. For a niche of users, the ability to type quickly without obscuring the screen is a primary draw. However, for the average consumer, the 180-gram weight penalty and the awkward shift in balance may prove too steep a price for a feature that most manufacturers abandoned a decade ago.
What to Watch
Industry observers will monitor the long-term adoption of the Power Keyboard to gauge the viability of the upcoming Clicks Communicator. While the accessory proves there is still a market for physical keys, the ergonomic friction reported by early users suggests that integrating these keys into a dedicated chassis—rather than an add-on—may be the only way to achieve a balanced user experience.